Risk factors for dating violence among undergraduates in selected state universities in the Western Province, Sri Lanka

Introduction: Dating violence (DV) is an important public health concern globally, although it has been given a low level of recognition in Sri Lanka. Objectives: To determine risk factors for DV among undergraduates in selected universities in Western Province, Sri Lanka Methods: A case contro...

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Main Authors: H. Fernando, A. Balasuriya, P. Jayawardana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka 2023-05-01
Series:Journal of the College of Community Physicians
Subjects:
Online Access:https://account.jccpsl.sljol.info/index.php/sljo-j-jccpsl/article/view/8565
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author H. Fernando
A. Balasuriya
P. Jayawardana
author_facet H. Fernando
A. Balasuriya
P. Jayawardana
author_sort H. Fernando
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Dating violence (DV) is an important public health concern globally, although it has been given a low level of recognition in Sri Lanka. Objectives: To determine risk factors for DV among undergraduates in selected universities in Western Province, Sri Lanka Methods: A case control study (Phase II) was conducted as part of a large study (Phase I). Cases and controls were those with and without DV among those who reported heterosexual relationships for a duration of six months or more before the survey. Computed sample size was 200 in each group. Cases and controls were randomly selected from Phase I. Data were collected using a validated, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were determined using multiple logistic regression. Results: Risk factors identified were female sex (AOR=2.6; 95% CI: 1.1, 6.1; p=0.03), father's low educational level (AOR=3.1; 95% CI: 1.2, 7.6; p=0.02), presence of community violence (AOR=8.5; 95% CI: 3.2, 22.2; p<0.01), watching pornography (AOR=19.8; 95% CI: 7.7, 50.8; p<0.01) and sexual abuse in childhood (AOR=22; 95% CI: 3.1, 154.8; p<0.01). Spending time with friends (AOR=0.1; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.3; p<0.01) was a protective factor. Presence of family conflicts (p=0.4), monthly income below Rs. 25000/= (p=0.4), non-engagement in extracurricular activities (p=0.4) and substance abuse of the respondents (p=0.8) were not significantly associated with dating violence. Conclusions & Recommendations: Sex, paternal education, community violence, pornography and childhood sexual abuse were the risk factors identified of DV. It is recommended to help undergraduates to handle exposure to factors in the surrounding environment which promotes development of violent ideas.
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spelling doaj.art-d38bc5879b9d4625be42aebf5dc5aa612024-01-09T12:13:46ZengCollege of Community Physicians of Sri LankaJournal of the College of Community Physicians1391-31742579-14512023-05-0129110.4038/jccpsl.v29i1.8565Risk factors for dating violence among undergraduates in selected state universities in the Western Province, Sri LankaH. Fernando0A. Balasuriya1P. Jayawardana2Public Health ComplexGeneral Sir John Kotelawala Defence UniversityUniversity of Kelaniya Introduction: Dating violence (DV) is an important public health concern globally, although it has been given a low level of recognition in Sri Lanka. Objectives: To determine risk factors for DV among undergraduates in selected universities in Western Province, Sri Lanka Methods: A case control study (Phase II) was conducted as part of a large study (Phase I). Cases and controls were those with and without DV among those who reported heterosexual relationships for a duration of six months or more before the survey. Computed sample size was 200 in each group. Cases and controls were randomly selected from Phase I. Data were collected using a validated, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were determined using multiple logistic regression. Results: Risk factors identified were female sex (AOR=2.6; 95% CI: 1.1, 6.1; p=0.03), father's low educational level (AOR=3.1; 95% CI: 1.2, 7.6; p=0.02), presence of community violence (AOR=8.5; 95% CI: 3.2, 22.2; p<0.01), watching pornography (AOR=19.8; 95% CI: 7.7, 50.8; p<0.01) and sexual abuse in childhood (AOR=22; 95% CI: 3.1, 154.8; p<0.01). Spending time with friends (AOR=0.1; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.3; p<0.01) was a protective factor. Presence of family conflicts (p=0.4), monthly income below Rs. 25000/= (p=0.4), non-engagement in extracurricular activities (p=0.4) and substance abuse of the respondents (p=0.8) were not significantly associated with dating violence. Conclusions & Recommendations: Sex, paternal education, community violence, pornography and childhood sexual abuse were the risk factors identified of DV. It is recommended to help undergraduates to handle exposure to factors in the surrounding environment which promotes development of violent ideas. https://account.jccpsl.sljol.info/index.php/sljo-j-jccpsl/article/view/8565Risk factorsDating violenceUndergraduatesProtective factors
spellingShingle H. Fernando
A. Balasuriya
P. Jayawardana
Risk factors for dating violence among undergraduates in selected state universities in the Western Province, Sri Lanka
Journal of the College of Community Physicians
Risk factors
Dating violence
Undergraduates
Protective factors
title Risk factors for dating violence among undergraduates in selected state universities in the Western Province, Sri Lanka
title_full Risk factors for dating violence among undergraduates in selected state universities in the Western Province, Sri Lanka
title_fullStr Risk factors for dating violence among undergraduates in selected state universities in the Western Province, Sri Lanka
title_full_unstemmed Risk factors for dating violence among undergraduates in selected state universities in the Western Province, Sri Lanka
title_short Risk factors for dating violence among undergraduates in selected state universities in the Western Province, Sri Lanka
title_sort risk factors for dating violence among undergraduates in selected state universities in the western province sri lanka
topic Risk factors
Dating violence
Undergraduates
Protective factors
url https://account.jccpsl.sljol.info/index.php/sljo-j-jccpsl/article/view/8565
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AT pjayawardana riskfactorsfordatingviolenceamongundergraduatesinselectedstateuniversitiesinthewesternprovincesrilanka