Awareness of Sexual Trafficking and Associated Factors Among Youth Females in Debre Birhan Town, North Shewa, Ethiopia 2019: Community Based Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: sexual trafficking is a major issue affecting both developing and developed countries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess sexual trafficking and associated factors among female youths in Debre Berhan town, North Shewa, Ethiopia

Methods: - Community based cross-sectional study was conducted by using systematic random sampling method of data collection from February 05 to April 10, 2019 from a total of 582 youth females.

Result: Among the total of 582 study participants 300(52%) of the participants had awareness about sexual trafficking. Mother’s educational status; elementary [AOR=2.068, 95%CI(1.079-3.963)] and secondary[AOR=3.446, 95%CI(1.298-9.154)], parents’ occupational status ;governmental worker [AOR=2.2, 95%CI(1.02-4.747)], participants occupational status [AOR=6.203, 95% CI(1.099- 35.005)],having television at home [AOR=2.083, 95% CI(1.305-3.326)] and taking training on gender issues [AOR=3.887,95% CI: (2.591-5.832)] were independent predictors  risk factors for awareness of sexual trafficking.
Conclusion: In this study, sexual trafficking awareness among female youth was low. Mother education status, parents’ occupation, participant’s job, having television in home and taking training on gender issues were significantly associated with awareness of sexual trafficking. Therefore, accessibilities of education and information through the community have to be taken as strategy for enhancing awareness of sexual trafficking among youth.

Keywords: Awareness, Sexual trafficking, Youth females

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/72-02

Publication date:March 31^st 2020