Sexual Assault: Pattern and Medical Care in Minna, North Central Nigeria

Pattern and Medical care of sexual assault

Abstract

Sexual Assaults: Pattern and Medical Care in Minna, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Sexual assault is both public health and human right issue. Globally, it is an indicator for most severe threat to human security.

Aim/Objectives: To determine the pattern of sexual assault and medical care among survivors at a secondary health facility in Nigeria.

Study design and setting: A descriptive study on the care of the victims of sexual assault at RAYUWA Sexual Assault Centre (SARC), Nigerian Police Medical Services, Minna, Niger State.

Methods: A designed proforma was used to extract data from case files of victims of sexual assault managed between January 2016 and December 2019. Descriptive frequency statistics and percentages were used for analysis.

Results: The study revealed that adolescents accounted for the majority of cases (65.6%). Assault through the vaginal route was the commonest (83.6%).  The assailants were known to the victims in majority of cases (69.4%). Bruises (39.3%) of the ano-genital skin constituted the commonest form of physical injuries. About 2.2% of the victims were seropositive for HIV while 24.6% of eligible victims received Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). Unwanted pregnancy occurred in 5.5% of cases.

Conclusions: Sexual assault is common in our setting. Male are increasingly being affected but female victims are still the majority. The medical care given is inadequate; so, the need to improve care.

Key-words: Pattern, sexual, assault, victims.