Sexual assault in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Sexual assault (SA) is a shattering malevolence against women. This study determined the burden, periodicity, presentation and management of SA in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.Materials and Methods:Retrospective analysis of the hospital records of 76 SA survivors managed over a 5-year period (2007-2011) in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife.Results:Sexual assault accounted for 0.69% of all female and 5.2% of all gynaecological emergencies in OAUTHC, Ile-Ife. The survivors’ ages ranged from 4 to 50 years (mean = 17.7 ± 8.8years) and adolescents made up for 48%. The peak prevalence of SA was in February and December and among adults and under-16-year-old survivors, respectively. Daytime and weekday SA were significantly more common among the under-16-year-old survivors (P = 0.008). Majority of the survivors (62%) knew their assailant(s). Neighbours were the commonest perpetrators identified (28.2%) and the assailants’ house was the commonest location (39.4%). Weapons were involved in 29.6% of cases and various injuries were identified in 28.2% of the survivors. Hospital presentation was within 24 hours in majority (76.1%) of the survivors, but rape kit examinations were not performed as the kits were not available. Although appropriate medical management was routinely commenced, only 12.7% of survivors returned for follow-up.Conclusions:Seasonal and diurnal patterns exist in the prevalence of SA in Ile-Ife and most survivors that reported in the hospital presented early. Rape kit examinations were, however, not executed, due to non-availability. Personnel training, protocol development, provision of rape kits and free treatment of SA survivors are, therefore, recommended. Public enlightenment on preventive strategies based on the observed periodicity and age patterns is also suggested.

The incidence, pattern and management of sexual assault in a tertiary hospital in North-western Nigeria

“…7,8 A prevalence of 51.3% of sexual assaults was reported among female students in a tertiary institution in Maiduguri, Nigeria, while 3.0% of sexual violence was reported among women and children in Birnin Kudu by Ashimi AO et al In Ile-Ife, sexual assault accounted for 0.69% of all female emergency admissions. 1,3,9 Sexual assault include genital, oral or anal penetration by a part of the accused's body or by an object. 10 This may include rape, forced vaginal, anal or oral penetration, forced sexual intercourse, inappropriate touching, forced kissing, child sexual abuse or torture of the victim in a sexual manner.…”

Prevalence of Sexual Assault in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

“…This probably may not be unconnected with the fact that most of the victims were minors and their parents/ guardians could have taken the decisions of not reporting to the police for fear of stigmatization, rejection by the society and safety concerns of their wards. However, in other regions of Nigeria were similar studies were conducted; recorded cases of arrests by law enforcement agents in juvenile assaults were reported (Badejok, 2014).…”

“…Comparatively, in similar study carried out in Sokoto State (South-west, Nigeria) vaginal bleeding due to laceration was also recorded as the commonest presentation, constituting (24%) of the cases. The same Sokoto study also documented that the majority of the victims (64.5%) were assaulted by only one assailant, who were regarded as acquaintances by the victims (Badejok, 2014). Surprisingly, none of the cases of sexual assault was noted to have been reported to law enforcement agents.…”

“…Interestingly, other researchers from Abakaliki in Ebonyi State (South-east, Nigeria) and Zaria in Kaduna State (North-west, Nigeria); were noted to have recorded similar prevalence rates of 0.9%and 0.84%respectively (Chinawa et al, 2013;Mairo, 2016). Similarly, studies conducted in Lagos State and Ile-ifein Osun State both in (South-west, Nigeria) reported prevalence of 0.76% and 0.69% (Badejok, 2014) respectively. These findings suggest that sexual assault is indeed a serious problem in Abakaliki just like other parts of Nigeria.…”

Adolescents' access to emergency contraception in Africa: An empty promise?

“…200 More often than not, adolescent girls in Nigeria are victims of sexual violence 201 in most cases perpetrated by persons in positions of trust. 202 Adolescent sexual relationships often are impromptu 203 and, consequently, carry the risk of unwanted teenage pregnancies. 204 This is why knowledge and information about emergency contraceptives and other important sexual health care services are so desperately needed.…”