Prevalence and pattern of rape among girls and women attending Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, southeast Nigeria

Abstract Objective To determine the prevalence and pattern of rape in Enugu, southeast Nigeria. Methods A prospective descriptive study was conducted among female survivors of rape who presented at the emergency gynecologic and/or forensic unit of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital between Feb...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of gynecology and obstetrics 2015-07, Vol.130 (1), p.10-13
Main Authors: Ohayi, Robsam S, Ezugwu, Euzebus C, Chigbu, Chibuike O, Arinze-Onyia, Susan U, Iyoke, Chukwuemeka A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Child
Child, Preschool
Emergency Service, Hospital
Enugu
Female
Hospitals, Teaching
Humans
Middle Aged
Nigeria
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Unwanted
Prevalence
Prospective Studies
Rape
Rape - statistics & numerical data
Sexual abuse
Sexual assault
Sexual violence
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Survivors - statistics & numerical data
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Objective To determine the prevalence and pattern of rape in Enugu, southeast Nigeria. Methods A prospective descriptive study was conducted among female survivors of rape who presented at the emergency gynecologic and/or forensic unit of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital between February 2012 and July 2013. Data were collected via a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results Among 1374 gynecologic emergencies, there were 121 (8.8%) rape cases. The mean age of the rape survivors was 13.1 ± 8.1 years. Ninety (74.4%) survivors were younger than 18 years. At least 72 hours had passed since the rape for 74 (61.2%) cases. The perpetrator was known to 74 (82.2%) patients younger than 18 years and 18 (58.1%) aged at least 18 years ( P = 0.013). The location of the rape was the bush or an uncompleted building for 36 (29.8%) and the perpetrator’s residence for another 36 (29.8%). Four (3.3%) individuals became pregnant after the rape. Conclusion A considerable proportion of patients with gynecologic emergencies had been raped. Individuals should be encouraged to report to the hospital quickly to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
ISSN:0020-7292
1879-3479
DOI:10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.02.017