Child sexual abuse among adolescents in southeast Nigeria: A concealed public health behavioral issue

Associations Among Age of First Experience of Violence, Type of Victimization, Polyvictimization, and Mental Distress in Nigerian Females

This study explored associations of age of first victimization, sexual violence (SV), physical violence (PV), polyvictimization, and mental distress among females in Nigeria (n = 1,766, 13-24 years old) using the nationally representative 2014 Nigeria Violence Against Children Survey. Multinomial logistic regressions were performed. Nigerian females reporting SV victimization and polyvictimization were more likely to experience higher mental distress. The older the female was at the time of PV victimization, the greater the risk for mental distress. Violence is prevalent in Nigeria and its impact on youth's health is severe. However, evidence-based and data-driven policies and programs can reduce and prevent violence.

Prevalence, Pattern and Predictors of Child Sexual Abuse Among Senior Secondary School Students in Enugu Metropolis

Objective

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a growing public health concern with health, academic and psychosocial implications. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, pattern and predictors of CSA among secondary school students.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study carried out among adolescents in four secondary schools in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from 325 adolescents and data was analysed with a significance level set at P ≤ 0.05.

Results

The prevalence of CSA in this study was 116 (35.7%). While the majority 20 (40%) of the victims were forced to watch pornography, most of the perpetrators were neighbours 34 (29.3%). A higher proportion of the victims were abused once, 79 (68.1%); when they were between 12 and 18 years old, 62 (53.4%); and at home, 39 (33.6%). Grouped ages, whom the child lived with, father’s and mother’s education, and father’s occupation were statistically significant on bivariate analysis. Predictors of CSA were students in senior secondary school Class 2 (SSS2) and those whose fathers were employed.

Conclusion

Our study revealed a high prevalence of CSA. Comprehensive sexuality education and legislative policies should be implemented to educate adolescents and deter perpetrators.

Risks with Gynaecological problems on the health of University Students

Objective:

To determine the risk with gynecological problems on the health of female university students.

Methods:

The study was conducted as a descriptive in university in Central Anatolia, Turkey. The research population was composed of 1305 female university students studying at a university in Central Anatolia. The study was conducted between January and March 2017. The data were collected through a questionnaire consisting of 23 questions prepared by the researchers to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants and the risk with gynecological problems they encountered. Numerical and percentage statistics were used to analyze the data.

Results:

About 65.4 percent of the female students in this study previously had gynecological examination, and 38.8 percent of them were diagnosed with gynaecological problems. It was found that 87.6 percent of the female students had risk with gynecological disorders. the most common ones being dysmenorrhoea (63.2%), premenstrual syndrome (56.7%), urinary tract infection (22.4%), and polycystic ovarian syndrome (13%), respectively.

Conclusions:

It was found that nearly all the young girls had risk with gynecological problems and nearly half of them were diagnosed with different gynaecological disorders.

Gender-based violence among female youths in educational institutions of Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gender-based violence is a public health issue. The prevalence of gender-based violence is high in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study aims to produce an overall summary estimate on the prevalence of gender-based violence according to different types and its risk factors among female youths in educational institutions of Sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

Studies published in English between 2000 and 2017 were identified by searching electronic databases such as MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and other relevant data bases. Three reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the quality of studies using the Loney guidelines. The pooled prevalence of gender-based violence and type of GBV was computed using STATA software version 14, and between studies heterogeneity was tested using Cochran's Q test and I² statistics. Meta-regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with GBV estimates.

RESULTS

A total of 1377 articles were produced from different databases, and a final 24 articles were included in the review. The overall prevalence of gender-based violence ranged from 42.3% in Nigeria to 67.7% in Ethiopia. The lifetime prevalence of sexual violence ranged from 4.3 to 76.4%, physical violence ranged from 7.4 to 66.1%, and emotional violence prevalence ranged from 26.1 to 50.8%. The overall pooled prevalence of lifetime GBV (n = 7 studies) was 52.83% [95% CI 39.54-65.90%, I² = 99.1, P < 0.00]. The pooled estimate of sexual violence (n = 23), 26.22% [95% CI 19.48-33.57%, I² = 99.39, P < 0.00], physical violence (n = 9), 18.86% [95% CI 10.96-28.3%, I² = 98.98, P < 0.00], and emotional violence (n = 5), 27.06% [95% CI19.57-35.28%], I² = 97.1, P < 0.00]. The review showed that gender-based violence was significantly associated with place of residence, witnessing parental violence, substance abuse, marital status, and educational status.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall prevalence of overall gender-based violence, sexual, physical, and emotional violence was high in Sub-Saharan Africa. The lowest prevalence of GBV was observed in Nigeria, and it was highest in Ethiopia. However, the results should be interpreted with caution because of high between studies heterogeneity. Evidence from the review part revealed GBV was significantly associated with place of residence, witnessing parental violence, substance abuse, marital status, and educational status. The Sub-Saharan African countries should develop a comprehensive educational institution-based prevention strategy and effective interventions to mitigate gender-based violence and to specifically achieve the SDG₅.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD4201073260.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Forced-Sex Among South African High School Students

Sexual violence, a global concern, has far reaching consequences for individuals and communities. This survey of South African high school students, reported baseline prevalence and factors associated with forced sex. Data collected among 434 adolescents (54.4% boys; 45.6% girls) used a questionnaire developed using the I-Change Model conceptual framework. Forced sex prevalence was 14.2% (95% CI 9.1, 21.5) with a non-significant difference between females (15.0%) and males (13.6%) (p = 0.781). After multivariable adjustment, urban location (39%), low socio-economic status (15%) and discordant mother/father vital status (20%) remained significant risk factors for forced sex. South African high school students are still at risk of experiencing forced sex with a higher prevalence in females. Interventions to address socio-economic and structural constructs contributing to the forced sex prevalence in this population are required.