Sexual Abuse among Female Undergraduates in Tertiary Institutions in IMO State, Southeast Nigeria: Prevalence, Pattern and Determinants

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual abuse is a global public health problem that cuts across social class, cultures, tribes etc. and has permeated the fabrics of tertiary institutions and many work places as long as humans have reasons to interact. Aim: To determine the prevalence, pattern and determinants of sexual abuse among undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Imo State, Nigeria. Methodology: This study was a descriptive, cross sectional survey of 600 female students in tertiary institutions in Imo State Nigeria. They were selected using the multistage sampling technique and data were collected using a pretested, semi-structural and self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using a computer software (EPI INFO version 3.3.2). Descriptive statistics was presented using summary indices, frequency tables and percentages. Associations between variables were done using the chi-square and logistic regression. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 21.7 + 3.2 years. The current and lifetime prevalence of sexual abuse among the respondents was 15.2% and 34% respectively and the commonest form of sexual abuse experienced was founding/grabbing of sensitive body parts (52.5%). Factors found to influence current occurrence of sexual abuse among the students were; age (p = 0.010), tribe (p = 0.008), marital status (p < 0.001), type of student in secondary school attended (p = 0.001), faculty of study (p = 0), year in school (p < 0.0001), persons currently shared room with (p < 0.0001) and level of knowledge about sexual abuse (p = 0.007). Conclusion: The prevalence of abuse as revealed in this study was high. There is need to develop appropriated prevention strategies by the universities to curb this menace against our women.

Intention of Staff and Students to Use Internal Whistleblowing to Report Sexual Violence: A Case Study of a Nigerian University

“…Both the qualitative and quantitative findings showed there were incidences of sexual harassment, rape, and attempted rape in the study setting. In a previous study of tertiary educational institutions in Imo Sate, the prevalence of sexual violence as at the time of the study was found to be 15.2% (Duru et al, 2018), which is less than the findings in this study (21.9%). Although, the culture of silence has shrouded sexual violence in secrecy in Nigeria thereby making the statistics to be far from reality, the fact remains that sexual violence is still a regular occurrence in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.…”

“…In Nigeria, sexual violence has been termed an epidemic as many cases have been reported in the past few years mostly among the young populations (Achunike & Kitause, 2014). A study conducted in tertiary institutions comprising universities, colleges of education, polytechnics, schools of nursing, and seminary schools in Imo State, Nigeria, indicated that the current and lifetime prevalence of sexual violence among the participants was 15.2% and 34%, respectively (Duru et al, 2018). Duru et al further stated that the commonest form of sexual violence experienced by the survivors was fondling and grabbing of sensitive body parts (52.5%).…”

Levels and predictors of knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception among female TV undergraduates in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

“…6 Almost three-quarters have ever had sex. This is similar to sexual behaviour seen among students in Ilorin-Nigeria 27 ; lower compared to students in Spain 22 ; but higher than those reported among the similar population in Botswana, urban Nigerian cities and Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. 7,20,34,35 This may be as a result of an increased liberal worldview among young people; a sense of freedom experienced; and a desire for sexual experimentation in the university environment.…”

“…This is similar to studies from Kilimanjaro-Tanzania, Botswana, Ilorin and south-south-Nigeria, Dodoma-Tanzania and Spain among students. 20,22,25,27,34,36 However, health facilities and healthcare workers are the commonest sources of information on contraception among similar populations in Kwadaso-Ghana and the emerging regions of Ethiopia. 29,31 Information on contraception from family members often come out of concern that a young person is sexually or about to be sexually active., and therefore the need for safe sex.…”

Post gender-based violence care, support services and health outcomes among victims of gender-based violence in Akwa Ibom and Cross-River States Nigeria

“…Gender-based violence is a global health problem that spans all social classes, cultures, tribes, and religions and has permeated our societies including tertiary institutions, worship places, workplaces and communities so far as humans have reason to interact with themselves [1]. While it is a fact that women suffer as victims of gender-based violence, recent researches has shown that men may also suffer as victims of gender-based violence.…”