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Dating violence among school students in Tanzania and South Africa: Prevalence and socio-demographic variations

Research Centre for Health Promotion, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway, annegreet.wubs{at}iuh.uib.no

Leif E. Aarø

Research Centre for Health Promotion, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway, Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway

Alan J. Flisher

Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Sheri Bastien

Institute for Educational Research, University of Oslo, Norway

Hans E. Onya

Health Promotion Unit, School of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, Polokwane, South Africa

Sylvia Kaaya

Department of Psychiatry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Catherine Mathews

Health Systems Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Aims: Widespread adolescent dating violence (DV) in Sub-Saharan Africa calls for immediate action, particularly since it is linked to the spread of HIV/AIDS. This article presents prevalence and demographic correlates of DV among school students in Cape Town and Mankweng (South Africa) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). Methods: Data were derived from the baseline data collection of a multi-site randomized controlled trial of an HIV prevention intervention among young adolescents. The results were confined to students who reported previously or currently being in a relationship (n = 6,979). Multiple logistic regression analysis with demographic predictors was employed, controlled for cluster effect. Results: Within our sample 10.2%—37.8% had been victims, 3.1%—21.8% had been perpetrators, and 8.6%—42.8% had been both (percentages dependent on site and gender). Before controlling for other factors, religion was a protective factor against violence in Cape Town. After controlling for other factors, a higher age and lower socioeconomic status were associated with belonging to any of the three groups of violence. Being male in all sites was associated with perpetration; being female with victimization (except in Cape Town where the converse finding was obtained). Higher parental education in Cape Town was protective against all types of violence. Ethnicity and living with biological parents were not associated with violence. Conclusions: DV is prevalent and widespread in the study sites. Violence control policies and interventions should target young adolescents. Since there was not one clearly defined subgroup identified as being at high risk, such programmes should not be limited to high risk groups only.

Key Words: Adolescents • dating violence • South Africa • Tanzania • demography • socioeconomic status • parents' education • religious affiliation

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 37, No. 2 Suppl, 75-86 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1403494808091343


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