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Table 1 Measurement of knowledge and attitudes toward sexual violence

From: Knowledge and attitude towards rape and child sexual abuse – a community-based cross-sectional study in Rural Tanzania

Measurement

Criteria for labeling

Knowledge

 

(1) Causes of sexual violence

The total score was 25. Respondents with score 0-66% was labeled as having poor knowledge on sexual violence and coded as 0, and all those who score 67-100% labeled as having good knowledge on sexual violence and coded as 1.

- Effects of alcohol/illicit drugs

- Effects of pornographic films

- Changes in our culture

(2) Consequences of sexual violence

 

- Health and physical effects

- Mental and psychological effects

- Reproductive health effects

- Long term effect on the victim’s development

(3) Perpetrators of sexual violence

 

- Not known

- Strangers in the community

- Close friends

- Close relatives

(4) Sexual offense Special Provision Act (SOSPA) for Tanzania

 

- Number of years of imprisonment for perpetrators

(5) Expected services at the health facility

 

- Contraception, HIV/AIDS prophylaxis, STI treatment, wound care, psychotherapy,legal verification

Attitudes favoring male dominance

The maximum score for all 14 statements is 28. Respondent not believing in most of the statements and scored 21–28 was labeled as ‘non-accepting’ coded as 1. Respondents scoring less than 21 were labeled as ‘accepting’ coded as 0.

(1) A man should show he is head of household

 

(2) A decent wife obeys his husband

 

(3) A wife is obliged to have sex with her husband

 

(4) Marital disputes should not be exposed outside

 

(5) Husband disciplines the wife by beating her

 

Opinions on justifying husband beating his wife

 

(1) Reason to hit: wife does not fulfill household duties

 

(2) Reason to hit: wife refuses sex

 

(3) Reason to hit: wife opposes his views/opinions

 

(4) Reason to hit: wife is unfaithful

 

(5) Reason to hit: wife is alcohol/drug abuse

 

(6) Reason to hit: wife insults/disrespect

 

Rape Myths

 

(1) Reason women and girls are raped: the way they dress or act

 

(2) Reason women and girls are raped: the place they work (bar, clubs, prostitute)

 

(3) Reason women and girls are raped: they walk alone at night