Page 54 - IJPS-10-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Physical sexual violence in Sub-Saharan Africa

perhaps because of the shame and stigma associated reproductive health and gender well-being. This paper
with it or the pressure to keep it a secret due to the fear reviewed extant literature to pinpoint the prevalence and
of disrupting family dynamics (Babbel, 2013). However, forms of sexual violence across the selected countries in
without intervention, the trauma from incest can impact Sub-Saharan Africa. It is also an attempt to contextualize
the health of a victim and subject such a victim to a state of the risk factors and suggests plausible ways, not only
sexual captivity (Babbel, 2013). toward reduction but also to eradicate sexual violence.
Investigation into sexual behavior dates back to the 2. Data and methods
18 century and has involved a variety of approaches
th
including medical, demographic, psychological, and public 2.1. Information sources and search strategy
health approaches (Mercer et al., 2016; Mirzaei et al., In this analysis, we systematically reviewed research
2016). There are also current advancements in the study of studies obtained from PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and
sexual behavior with increasing interventions to improve Google Scholar. Searches were strategically focused on the
sexual health globally. However, the dynamic nature of screening for population-based (cross-sectional or cohort)
sexuality, intermediated by region- and culture-specific studies that dealt with sexual violence notwithstanding its
sexual behavioral diversities (related to sex), has made presentation in different nomenclatures. The best quality
the research in this field inexhaustible. Studies have also data on sexual violence have been noted to be mostly
suggested a multicomponent intervention for addressing domiciled in population-based surveys (WHO, 2012). We
sexual behavior to secure sustainable improvement in accessed studies on sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual
sexual health (Amoo et al., 2018; Mercer et al., 2016; abuse, rape, coercive sex, incest, sex slave, child sexual
Mirzaei et al., 2016). This is due to the fact that a general abuse, domestic violence, and IPSV, and other studies that
approach might not be effective in all places (Amoo et al., focus on its generic presentation as just sexual violence.
2018; Mercer et al., 2016; Mirzaei et al., 2016).
Specific attention was focused on studies on Sub-
Thus, this study is premised upon a multicomponent Saharan Africa, especially Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya,
approach (MCA) that has the potential for addressing and Nigeria. The region of Sub-Saharan Africa is profiled
social concerns that are befogged with diverse boundaries as a region with the highest rates of rape in the world
but with pluralistic effects on individuals, families, perhaps due to political conflict, communal clashes, and
and the community as a whole. Sexual violence is poverty although there are no accurate data to support the
multifaceted (encompassing) social public concern with claim (Wisevoter, 2023). Data gathered were synthesized
multiplier effects on society. Effective interventions could qualitatively and quantitatively. Prevalence rates were
only be a coordinated multilevel approach. The MCA established, and obvious consequences of the findings and
uses a coordinated set of core components, pillars, or our assumptions on further implications of the findings
infrastructure to promote health, safety, security, and were discussed in line with the plausible achievements
personal and social development for sustainable human of improved sexual health, and well-being for men and
relationships with the environment (International School women. These are expected to culminate in the delivery of
Health Network [ISHN], 2019; Jackson et al., 2012). Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3).
The findings from this study could therefore serve as a
guide for the youths (girls and boys, women and men) to 2.2. Inclusion and exclusion criteria
understand the forms and behavioral tendencies that could The articles describing population-based studies published
spur sexual violence. The information could also empower from the post-millennium era (2016 till date) were obtained
them to avoid being violated and provide them with an from PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar. All
understanding of why others should not be violated. accessible published literature that relates to the search
Despite the concerted global efforts toward the elimination keywords and countries selected were reviewed. Other
of sexual violence and the continuous underreporting of sources included are open-access resources, which can be
sexual violence, the true estimate may not be available. used or adapted without permission. Published literature
Furthermore, the paucity of literature on the subject could was included only if they were peer-reviewed, published in
undermine the establishment of the magnitude and pattern recognized outlets (e.g., journals, books, gazettes, or other
of these criminal activities (Amoo et al, 2022; Amoo et al., records), or published by acknowledged organizations
2018; Bourke, 2020; WHO, 2012). However, the available such as the WHO, United Nations Development Program,
information when pooled together could reasonably serve and United Nations Children’s Fund, with the exception of
as insight for the parents, educators, caregivers, and health social media platforms. Non-human studies and studies
personnel, including other stakeholders in sexual and without clearly defined study designs or methodologies

Volume 10 Issue 3 (2024) 48 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.0621