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 soft-ware (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 life-time 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.
Cite this paper
Duru, C. B. , Aguocha, C. M. , Iwu, A. C. , Oluoha, U. R. , Okedo-Alex, I. N. , Ohanle, I. and Nwaigbo, E. (2018). Sexual Abuse among Female Undergraduates in Tertiary Institutions in IMO State, Southeast Nigeria: Prevalence, Pattern and Determinants. Open Access Library Journal, 5, e4516. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1104516.
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