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

Caroline Mtaita, Samuel Likindikoki, Maureen McGowan, Rose Mpembeni, Elvis Safary and Albrecht Jahn
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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

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-17

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.

Keywords: gender-based violence; knowledge; adolescent girls; young women; Tanzania (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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