Sexual assault against women at Osogbo Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Sexual assault against women is common all over the world. However, reliable data on the subject in developing countries including Nigeria is not available.
Objective: To review the patterns of sexual violence against women treated at the hospital over a 7‑year period.
Materials and Methods: Review of hospital records of victims of sexual assault who presented at the hospital from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2009. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi squire test.
Results: Sexual assault cases constituted 2.1% of female consultation outside pregnancy during the period under study while proportion of cases increased over the years under review. Mean age of the victims was 15.8 (SD 8.1) years ranging from 5 to 48 years. Most (73.7%) were less than 18 years while 93.2% were single (never married). About 81% of the victims less than 18 years were sexually abused in the day time. Majority (79.6%) knew their assailant. About 40% of the victims presented within 24 h of sexual abuse but none had postexposure prophylaxis.
Conclusion: Sexual assault among women is an important health problem in this environment. There is need for hospital based management protocol.