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Knowledge, Experience and Perception of Gender-Based Violence Health Services: A Mixed Methods Study on Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Tanzania

Author

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  • Caroline Mtaita

    (Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany)

  • Samuel Likindikoki

    (Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam 65001, Tanzania)

  • Maureen McGowan

    (Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany)

  • Rose Mpembeni

    (Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam 65015, Tanzania)

  • Elvis Safary

    (Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany)

  • Albrecht Jahn

    (Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany)

Abstract

Many adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) experience gender-based violence (GBV) in Tanzania and only few seek GBV health services following violence. The objectives of our study are (1) to evaluate knowledge of gender-based violence among AGYW, (2) to explore their perceptions of and experiences with GBV health service quality and (3) to evaluate access to comprehensive GBV services. This study employed an explanatory, sequential mixed methods design in two districts of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Kinondoni and Temeke). A quantitative cross-sectional survey among AGYW (n = 403) between 15–24 years old was performed to assess their knowledge of GBV as well as perceptions of and experiences with GBV health services. The quantitative data was complemented by 20 semi-structured in-depth interviews with participants. Out of 403 study participants, more than three quarters (77.9%) had moderate to good knowledge of how GBV is defined and what constitutes gender-based violence. However, few participants (30.7%, n = 124) demonstrated knowledge of GBV health services offered at local health facilities. For example, only 10.7% (n = 43) of participants reported knowledge of forensic evidence collection. Additionally, of 374 participants (93% of total participants) who reported to have received GBV education sessions, only 66% accessed GBV health services (n = 247) and about half of these (52.7%, n = 130) were satisfied with these services. The study indicated that—despite good knowledge about what constituted GBV—knowledge about the roles and availability of GBV health services was limited and utilization of GBV health services remained low. Coordinated actions need to be strengthened to reach AGYW who remain unaware of GBV health services offered at health facilities by improving GBV service quality, bettering interventions aimed at reducing GBV among AGYW in Tanzania, and scaling-up integrated service models, such as GBV one-stop centers.

Suggested Citation

  • Caroline Mtaita & Samuel Likindikoki & Maureen McGowan & Rose Mpembeni & Elvis Safary & Albrecht Jahn, 2021. "Knowledge, Experience and Perception of Gender-Based Violence Health Services: A Mixed Methods Study on Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Tanzania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8575-:d:614115
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fortuna Procentese & Immacolata Di Napoli & Filomena Tuccillo & Alessandra Chiurazzi & Caterina Arcidiacono, 2019. "Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions and Concerns towards Domestic Violence during Pregnancy in Southern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Xitsakisi Fiona Mahlori & Deirdre Cassandra Byrne & Lungisa Anthonia Mabude, 2018. "Perceptions of Gender-Based Violence Among University Staff: Interim Results," SAGE Open, , vol. 8(3), pages 21582440188, September.
    3. Fleming, Paul J. & Gruskin, Sofia & Rojo, Florencia & Dworkin, Shari L., 2015. "Men's violence against women and men are inter-related: Recommendations for simultaneous intervention," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 249-256.
    4. Helen Liebling & Hazel Barrett & Lilly Artz, 2020. "South Sudanese Refugee Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Torture: Health and Justice Service Responses in Northern Uganda," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-21, March.
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    1. Uche T. Okpara & Ifeoma Q. Anugwa, 2022. "Harms to Community Food Security Resulting from Gender-Based Violence," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Caroline Mtaita & Elvis Safary & Katanta Simwanza & Rose Mpembeni & Samuel Likindikoki & Albrecht Jahn, 2023. "Knowledge, Implementation, and Gaps of Gender-Based Violence Management Guidelines among Health Care Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-12, April.
    3. Helen Cahill & Babak Dadvand & Anne Suryani & Anne Farrelly, 2023. "A Student-Centric Evaluation of a Program Addressing Prevention of Gender-Based Violence in Three African Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(15), pages 1-19, August.

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