Journal Article

Violence against women and sexual reproductive health service use among Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia: a latent class analysis

Probst-Hensch, Nicole, Merten, Sonja, Maigetter, Karen, Zepro, Nejimu Biza, Schüpbach, Corina, Paris, Daniel Henry, Abongomera, Charles, Medhanyie, Araya Abrha

2025

Overview

Introduction Violence against women (VAW) is a manifestation of power relations. One in three women experience physical or sexual violence at least once globally. This concern poses a substantial barrier to accomplishing target 5.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to eliminate all forms of VAW. This escalates in humanitarian crises settings. Despite the importance there is a dearth of evidence about VAW in refugee settings in Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between March and August 2023 in Asayta, Ethiopia. The study population consisted of 867 women, including Eritrean refugees residing in Asayta camp and women from the surrounding Afar pastoralist host community. A multistage compact segmentation technique was employed to collect data. Logistic regression and latent class analysis (LCA) were used for advanced analysis. Results Overall, 231 (33%), or 1 out of 3 women ‘ever’ experienced physical or sexual violence. Married women (AOR = 19.80; 95% CI: 2.18, 166), age group 24–49 years (AOR = 4.0; 95% CI: 1.28 ,12.54), better women’s education (AOR = 2.89; 95% CI: 1.40, 5.96), contraceptive use (AOR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.07–4.42), history of childhood abuse (AOR = 43; 95% CI: 19.24, 96.39) and husband’s substance use (khat) (AOR = 3.49 (2.09–5.87) were associated with an increased risk for VAW. On the other hand, better income (AOR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.67), being pregnant (AOR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.48) and access to referral services (AOR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.60) showed protective effect from VAW. The likelihood of VAW is found to be almost 15 times higher (AOR: 15.64, 95% CI: 1.52, 161) among women constituted in class seven (multiple violence group) of the LCA model. Conclusion VAW was found to be a prevalent problem among Eritrean refugee women in Asayta refugee camp, Ethiopia. Despite wide variations in the magnitude of the problem, risk exposures seem similar across studies. Women’s age, marital status, income level, history of childhood abuse, husband`s substance use and access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including contraceptive use—were strongly associated with VAW. Multi-level violence prevention programs are needed. These should focus on challenging harmful gender norms, preventing childhood abuse, empowering women economically and socially, and tailored community awareness about the link between substance use and VAW.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd
• Subject: Adolescent / Adult / Care and treatment / Cross-Sectional Studies / Eritrea - ethnology / Ethiopia - epidemiology / Female / Gender Equity in Reproductive Health Service Access / Health aspects / Humans / Latent Class Analysis / Maternal and Child Health / Medical care / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Middle Aged / Public Health / Refugees - psychology / Refugees - statistics & numerical data / Reproductive health / Reproductive Health Services - statistics & numerical data / Reproductive Medicine / Sex Offenses - statistics & numerical data / Social aspects / Surveys / Utilization / Women refugees / Young Adult