Exposure to and experiences of violence among adolescents in lower socio-economic groups in Johannesburg, South Africa.
BACKGROUND
We explored exposure to and experiences of violence and their risk factors amongst ethnically diverse adolescents from lower socio economic groups in Johannesburg.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study recruited a stratified sample of 16-18 year old adolescents from four low socio-economic suburbs in Johannesburg to reflect ethnic group clustering. We collected socio-demographic, sexual behaviour, alcohol and drug use and trauma events data. Proportions and risk factors were assessed by chi-square and logistic regression.


RESULTS
Of 822 adolescents, 57% (n = 469) were female. Approximately 62% (n = 506) were Black, 13% (n = 107) Coloured, 13% (n = 106) Indian and 13% (n = 103) White. Approximately 67% (n = 552) witnessed violence to a non-family member, 28% (n = 228) experienced violence by a non-family member, and 10% (n = 83) reported sexual abuse. Multivariate analysis determined that witnessing violence in the community was associated with being Black (OR: 4.6, 95%CI: 2.7-7.9), Coloured (OR: 3.9, 95%CI: 2.0-7.4) or White (OR: 8.0, 95%CI:4.0-16.2), repeating a grade (OR: 1.5, 95%CI: 1.01-2.1), having more than one sexual partner (OR: 1.7, 95%CI: 1.1-2.5) and ever taking alcohol (OR: 2.1, 95%CI: 1.5-2.9). Witnessing violence in the family was associated with being female (OR: 1.8, 95%CI: 1.3-2.6), being Black (OR: 2.2, 95%CI: 1.1-4.1), or White (OR: 3.0, 95%CI: 1.4-6.4), repeating a grade (OR: 1.6, 95%CI: 1.1-2.2) and ever taking alcohol (OR: 2.9, 95%CI: 2.0-4.3).


CONCLUSIONS
In low socio-economic areas in Johannesburg, Black, White and Coloured adolescents experience a high burden of violence. Interventions to mitigate the effects of violence are urgently required.
Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O Box 114, , Diepkloof, 1864, Johannesburg, South Africa. otwombek@phru.co.za.
Kennedy N
KN
Otwombe
Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O Box 114, , Diepkloof, 1864, Johannesburg, South Africa. dietrichj@phru.co.za.
Janan
J
Dietrich
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA. kathleen.sikkema@duke.edu.
Kathleen J
KJ
Sikkema
Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O Box 114, , Diepkloof, 1864, Johannesburg, South Africa. coetzeej@phru.co.za.
Jenny
J
Coetzee
Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O Box 114, , Diepkloof, 1864, Johannesburg, South Africa. hopkinsk@phru.co.za.
Kathryn L
KL
Hopkins
Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O Box 114, , Diepkloof, 1864, Johannesburg, South Africa. laherf@phru.co.za.
Fatima
F
Laher
Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O Box 114, , Diepkloof, 1864, Johannesburg, South Africa. Glenda.Gray@mrc.ac.za.
Glenda E
GE
Gray
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*