Online Sexual Harassment and Psychological Distress Among College Students in TVET Institutions in Nairobi: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Online sexual harassment (OSH) has emerged as a pervasive global concern, with increasing evidence linking it to adverse mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Despite growing attention worldwide, research on OSH and its psychological impact remains limited within Kenya’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, where students face unique socio-economic and academic stressors. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of online sexual harassment and examine its association with psychological distress among TVET students in the Nairobi Region. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed involving 350 students selected through stratified random sampling across public and private TVET institutions. Data collection utilized a structured Online Sexual Harassment Questionnaire alongside the standardized Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales–21 Items (DASS-21). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and regression modeling to explore prevalence, demographic differences, and the relationship between OSH and psychological distress. Results: The findings revealed a high prevalence of online sexual harassment, with approximately 60% of participants reporting exposure to at least one form of harassment. Psychological distress was also notably elevated, with over two-thirds of students exhibiting symptoms of depression and anxiety ranging from mild to extremely severe. Statistical analyses confirmed a significant association between experiences of online sexual harassment and increased levels of psychological distress across all subscales (p