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Prevalence and pattern of rape among girls and women attending Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, southeast Nigeria
Author(s) -
Ohayi Robsam S.,
Ezugwu Euzebus C.,
Chigbu Chibuike O.,
ArinzeOnyia Susan U.,
Iyoke Chukwuemeka A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.02.017
Subject(s) - medicine , residence , teaching hospital , demography , pediatrics , gynecology , family medicine , sociology
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.