Factors associated with recent physical violence against orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) in Namibia: A cross-sectional analysis of programmatic data from 2023 to 2024

An estimated one billion children aged two to 17 years globally have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence or neglect. In Namibia, nearly 50% of girls and boys encounter physical, sexual, or emotional violence during childhood. Orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) experience significant adverse effects as a result of their living conditions. This study assessed the rate of physical violence and its associated factors against OVC in Namibia. The study included OVC aged 0 to 20 years in 13 primary health administrative districts in Namibia. This retrospective cross-sectional study utilized programmatic data collected from 2023 to 2024 from OVC participating in the Reach program, implemented by Project Hope Namibia. The study included OVC aged 0 to 20 years. Data were analyzed utilizing IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. Chi-square tests and binomial and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Among the 16,507 participants included in this analysis, 1,803 (10.9%) participants were recently physically abused, 95% confidence interval (CI) (10.4% – 11.4%). Omuthiya had the highest physical abuse rate (n=73; 18.2%), while Outapi had the lowest (n=47; 8.4%). Participants aged 10-14 years were less likely to have experienced recent physical abuse than those aged 15-20, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.81, 95% CI (0.70 – 0.95). Disabled participants had a lower likelihood of reporting recent physical abuse than the non-disabled ones (AOR = 0.62, 95% CI (0.41 – 0.93)). Furthermore, participants who had caregivers who were HIV-positive were less likely to have experienced recent physical abuse than those whose caregivers were HIV-negative (crude odds ratio (COR) = 0.25, 95% CI (0.06 – 0.99). In contrast, participants from Omuthiya were more likely to have experienced recent physical abuse than those from Windhoek (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI (1.25 – 2.43)). Violence against children (VAC) awareness campaigns in high-risk districts, focusing on physical violence and community-level behavior change, must be expanded. Periodical regional VAC assessments must be conducted to identify and address localized drivers of violence. • 10.9% of OVC were recently physically abused. • Omuthiya had the highest physical abuse rate, while Outapi had the lowest. • Participants aged 10-14 years and the disabled were less likely than older children to have experienced recent physical abuse.