Sexual violence among host and refugee population in Djohong District, Eastern Cameroon

Abstract

The following is a population-based survey of the Central African Republic (CAR) female refugee population displaced to rural Djohong District of Eastern Cameroon and associated female Cameroonian host population to characterise the prevalence and circumstances of sexual violence. A population-based, multistage, random cluster survey of 600 female heads of household was conducted during March 2010. Women heads of household were asked about demographics, household economy and assets, level of education and sexual violence experienced by the respondent only. The respondents were asked to describe the circumstances of their recent assault. The lifetime prevalence of sexual violence among Djohong district female heads of household is 35.2% (95% CI 28.7–42.2). Among heads of household who reported a lifetime incident of sexual violence, 64.0% (95% CI 54.3–72.5) suffered sexual violence perpetrated by their husband or partner. Among the host population, 3.9% (95% CI 1.4–10.5) reported sexual violence by armed groups compared to 39.0% (95% CI 25.6–54.2) of female refugee heads of household. Women who knew how to add and subtract were less likely to report sexual violence during their lifetime (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.08–0.34). Sexual violence is common among refugees and host population in Eastern Cameroon. Most often, perpetrators are partners/husbands or armed groups.

Keywords:

• sexual violence
• Central African Republic
• Cameroon, refugee
• intimate partner violence

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge International Medical Corps staff in Washington, DC and Cameroon, in addition to our hard-working surveyors. This study was funded by United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), who had no role in design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data; and preparation, review or approval of the manuscript. All authors report no conflicts of interest. PP had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.