Workplace gender-based violence among female staff in public higher education institutions in eastern Ethiopia

Institution-based cross-sectional study

Bibliographic Data

ID19592016
AuthorsMowlid Abdi Ali (Haramaya University, corresponding author), Agumasie Semahegn (0000-0001-6625-8184, University of Ghana, corresponding author), Wondimye Ashenafi (Haramaya University, corresponding author), Henok Legesse (0009-0002-0594-3262, Haramaya University, corresponding author)
EditorsLu Gram (0000-0002-3905-0465)
Year2024
Volume4
Issue7
Pagese0003489
Publication date2024-07-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0003489
PMID39058720
OpenAlexW4401016921
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited21

Despite the global and local efforts, gender-based violence at workplaces has remained a major public health challenge and pervasive human rights violation worldwide. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of research evidence on gender-based violence in higher educational institutions (HEIs). The main aim of this study was to assess workplace gender-based violence and its associated factors among female staff in public HEIs in eastern Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among female staff in public HEIs in eastern Ethiopia. Female staff (n = 391) were recruited using systematic sampling techniques from three HEIs. Data were collected by trained female data collectors using a structured pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Collected data were entered into EpiData and exported to SPSS for analysis. Descriptive and logistic regression statistical analysis were carried out to compute frequencies and odds ratio at 95% confidence interval (CI). The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at 95% CI was used to declare a significant association. Workplace gender-based violence among female staff at HEIs was 63.1% (95% CI: 58–68%). Being within the age group of 18–34 years (AOR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.02–2.85), being single (AOR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.32–3.80), divorced (AOR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.03–5.03), working the night shifts (AOR:5.73, 95% CI: 1.87–17.58), Being aware of the reporting procedures of violent incidents (AOR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.01–2.49) and worried for being a victim of violence (AOR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.02–2.86) were the factors associated with workplace gender-based violence against female staff in the public HEIs. Workplace gender-based violence among female staff working in the selected public HEIs was found to be unacceptably high. Awareness-raising campaigns against gender-based violence and reporting procedures in case of violent incidents, enforcing existing policies, orientation to employees, safeguarding the night shift female workers, and survivor support services should be implemented by key stakeholders

Confidence interval · Cross-sectional study · Descriptive statistics · Environmental health · Higher education · Injury prevention · Institution · Logistic regression · Odds ratio · Poison control · Political science · Public health · Social science · Sociology · Workplace violence · Demography · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Workplace Violence and Bullying