Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Sexual Abuse Among the Adolescents in Selected Schools of Pokhara Metropolitan City

Introduction: Sexual abuse involves unwanted sexual activity, often through force, threats, or exploiting a lack of consent. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable, but knowledge and attitudes toward sexual abuse can empower self-protection, deter perpetrators, and prevent adolescents themselves from committing the crime. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes about sexual abuse among adolescents in selected schools in Pokhara. Methods: A cross-sectional research design with probability proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to conduct the study. Strata were made according to the grade and sex of respondents, and 199 students currently studying in Grades 9 and 10 were chosen as a sample. A Structured Self-administered Questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis was done by using Epi data and SPSS 16 version using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentage, mean, and SD) and inferential statistics chi-square test. Results: Study findings revealed that 91.50% had poor knowledge regarding sexual abuse. Despite the lack of knowledge, 55.3% of respondents showed a higher supportive attitude towards sexual abuse. The level of knowledge was significantly associated with the parent-child relationship. The level of attitude was significantly associated with age, sex, and educational level of respondents, where the p-value is p