Prevalence and Correlates of Physical Gender-Based Violence Among Female Nursing Students: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study in Higher Educational Institutions

Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global health concern that affects individuals across various settings, including higher educational institutions (HEIs), where female students are particularly vulnerable. In Tanzania, GBV within HEIs remains under-researched, despite its potential impact on students’ well-being and academic performance. As part of a broader mixed-methods investigation on GBV among female students, this study specifically examined the reported prevalence and correlates of physical GBV in two Tanzanian higher education institutions, an often-overlooked area. We employed an analytical cross-sectional study design that included 296 female nursing students from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) and Hubert Kairuki Memorial University (HKMU) in Dar es Salaam. Participants were recruited through total population sampling and data collected at the end of the academic years, from 1st August to 8th September in 2023, and 5th August to 20th December in 2024. Physical GBV included being threatened with harm, pushed, slapped, grabbed, hair pulled, hit with objects or fists, kicked, or subjected to suffocation, strangulation, stabbing, or shooting attempts. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 25, with bivariate and multivariable logistic regression performed to assess the sociodemographic correlates of physical GBV. The reported prevalence of physical GBV since enrollment in the HEIs was 10.1%, with a significant proportion of survivors not reporting or taking legal actions. Attending MUHAS had a higher likelihood of reporting physical GBV (AOR = 2.935; 95% CI: 1.233–6.985; P < .015). No other sociodemographic variables demonstrated a statistically significant association with physical GBV. This study found that 10.1% of female nursing students in the two Tanzanian universities reported experiencing physical GBV, yet disclosure and reporting rates remained notably low, underscoring the need for strengthened awareness, support services, and institutional mechanisms to address GBV within higher education settings.