Prevalence and management of child sexual abuse cases presented at Nigerian hospitals: A systematic review
Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Health and Social Sciences
Abstract
Introduction: Aim of this study was to review all suspected sexual abuse (SA) cases presenting at Nigerian
hospitals, in order to examine both the prevalence of child sexual abuses (CSA) cases and the availability of
hospital protocols and medical and forensic services for their evaluation, management and follow-up.
Methods: A systematic review of literature including only studies published in English from 2006 to 2016
and cited in the Medline, Scopus and Web of Science databases was carried out.
Results: A total of 16 hospital-based studies were included. Out of the total of 166,985 suspected SA cases
presented at hospitals, only 1,553 (0.93%) of them were confirmed. Most of them (n = 1,164, 74.95%)
occurred in children (< 18 years) and majority of the CSA victims were female (n = 1,155, 99.23%). HIV
screening (n = 13, 81.25%) and vaginal swab (n = 8, 50%) were the most common investigations carried out
by clinicians, whereas the most common medical treatments offered by the health facilities were emergency
contraceptives (n = 8, 50%) and HIV post exposure prophylaxis (n = 7, 43.75%), with only a quarter of the
cases (n = 4, 25%) offering any form of psychological counseling to victims and/or their parents. Written
protocol for CSA evaluation and management was absent in nearly all of the health facilities.
Conclusions: In Nigeria, healthcare and forensic management of CSA are poor, probably due to late
presentation of victims at the hospital and to negligence on the part of health and security personnel. CSA is
also possibly under-reported, with serious implications for the child and society. Prevention, proper medical
treatment, management and follow-up for victims and their families, as well as making the perpetrators
answerable for their crimes are highly recommended measures to tackle this issue.
Description
item.page.type
Article
item.page.format
Keywords
child abuse, health services, sexual abuse, Nigeria, International Resources, psychological trauma, public health, sexual assault, violence
Citation
Akin-Odanye, E. O. (2018). Prevalence and management of child sexual abuse cases presented at Nigerian hospitals: A systematic review. Journal of Health and Social Sciences, 3(2), 109-124.