title: Prevalence and predictors of sexual violence among commercial sex workers in Northern Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gender-based violence is a natural outgrowth of the stigma and discrimination experienced by commercial sex workers (CSWs) across the globe. In light of this, the current study aimed to describe the prevalence and character of sexual violence, as well as any risk factors for violence, experienced by CSWs in Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mekelle City in April 2013. 250 CSWs were selected for participation using simple random sampling. Data were collected via a questionnaire instrument. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS 20 for Windows.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of sexual violence among CSWs was 75.6 %. Basic literacy [(AOR = 5.3, 95 % of CI (1.15-25.20)], completion of only elementary school [AOR = 6.9, 95 % of CI (1.55-31.25)], completion of only high school [AOR = 7.9, 95 % of CI (1.65-38.16)], being married [(AOR = 3.8, 95 % CI (1.34-11.09)], engaging in sex work for 1-4 years [(AOR = 5.3, 95 % CI(1.7-16.2)] and drug use [AOR = 5.3, 95 % of CI (1.78-16.21)] were all significant risk factors for sexual violence. CSWs with lower monthly income were also more likely to experience sexual violence; monthly income of 51.2-101.9 USD yielded AOR = 2.4 (95 % CI 1.12-5.37) and monthly income of 102.2-153.1 USD yielded AOR = 7.9 (95 % CI 2.46-25.58), compared to CSWs earning 153.2 USD or more.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of sexual violence among CSWs is high. Lower educational attainment, being married, lower monthly income, drug use, and shorter duration of sex work are all risk factors for sexual violence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Mekelle University College of Health Sciences, Mekelle, Ethiopia. mossalex75@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mussie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alemayehu
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Abyssinia Medical Sciences, Mekelle, Ethiopia. yohannesyihdego11@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gebregizabeher
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yohannes
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Mekelle University College of Health Sciences, Mekelle, Ethiopia. ashenafidamte@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ashenafi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Damte
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Mekelle University College of Health Sciences, Mekelle, Ethiopia. atse2000@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Atsede
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fantahun
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Mekelle University College of Health Sciences, Mekelle, Ethiopia. kahsu75@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kahsu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gebrekirstos
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Areaya Kahsu College of Health Sciences, Axum, Ethiopia. resomtsegay@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Resom
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tsegay
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA. adina-goldberger@fsm.northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Adina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldberger
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Mekelle University College of Health Sciences, Mekelle, Ethiopia. henokyebyo@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Henock
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yebyo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult