Associated factors of sexual and gender based violence among female high school students in Debre  Markos Town, North West Ethiopia: an institutionally based cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: Sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) continues to be a concern of health, sexual and reproductive rights, sustainable peace and development issue that cuts across boundaries, cultural backgrounds and socio-economic groups to touch individuals of every sort around the world. SGBV remains one of the greatest inequalities of our time that takes life, violates the right they are entitled with, and seriously endangers women and girl’s mental and physical wellbeing, as well as sexual and economical security. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of sexual and gender based violence among female high school students in Debre Markos Town, North West Ethiopia:. Methods: An institutionally based-cross-sectional study was conducted among 309 randomly selected female high school students in Debre Markos Town. Data was collected using self- administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression with odds ratio and 95% confidence interval to identify factors associated with sexual and gender based violence. Statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05.Results: The lifetime prevalence of GBV, sexual violence, and physical violence were found to be 47.0, 23.3, and 39.5%, respectively. The prevalence of sexual violence in the current academic year was 13.2%. Ever drink alcohol (AOR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.18–0.86), have friends using substances (AOR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.09–0.82), Grade level (AOR = 3.15; 95% CI: 1.32–7.48), witnessing parental conflict (AOR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.17–0.52), ever discuss gender related issues (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.31–3.78) and living condition of students (AOR = 3.53; 95% CI: 1.55–8.07) were significantly associated with gender-based violence.Conclusion: The prevalence of sexual and gender-based-violence was high. This needs further intervention like awareness creation at school and community settings should be strengthened.