Depressive symptoms among female college students experiencing gender-based violence in Awassa, Ethiopia

J Interpers Violence. 2009 Mar;24(3):464-81. doi: 10.1177/0886260508317173. Epub 2008 May 1.

Abstract

Little epidemiologic research has focused on the mental health effects of gender-based violence among sub-Saharan African women. The objective of this study was to assess risk of depression and depressive symptoms among 1,102 female undergraduate students who were victims of gender-based violence. Students who reported experience of any gender-based violence were nearly twice as likely to be classified as having moderate depression during the academic year (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.39-2.82) as compared with nonabused students. Compared with nonabused students, those who had experienced both physical and sexual abuse were 4 times more likely to report either moderately severe (OR = 4.32, 95% CI = 2.00-9.31) or severe depressive symptoms (OR = 4.19, 95% CI = 1.01-17.43). Our findings, consistent with previous studies, support the thesis that women's mental health status is adversely affected by exposure to gender-based violence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Battered Women / psychology
  • Battered Women / statistics & numerical data*
  • Depression / epidemiology*
  • Depression / psychology
  • Ethiopia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Prevalence
  • Self Concept*
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Perception
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • Students / psychology
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Women's Health*
  • Young Adult