Literature DB >> 25152062

Rape in Nigeria: a silent epidemic among adolescents with implications for HIV infection.

Morenike O Folayan1, Morolake Odetoyinbo2, Abigail Harrison3, Brandon Brown4.   

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Year:  2014        PMID: 25152062      PMCID: PMC4142225          DOI: 10.3402/gha.v7.25583

Source DB:  PubMed          Journal:  Glob Health Action        ISSN: 1654-9880            Impact factor:   2.640


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Adolescents worldwide often face tremendous sexual violence; a growing problem and a leading reproductive health concern. The prevalence of this violence ranges between 15 and 40% in sub-Saharan Africa, with studies showing rates of sexual coercion and abuse among female adolescents in Nigeria between 11 and 55% (1, 2). Little is known about the impact of rape on adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV), and how their HIV status affects how they cope with this traumatic experience. A recent survey in Nigeria showed 31.4 and 5.7% of sexually active adolescent females and males, respectively, reported forced sex (rape) at sexual initiation (3). The same study showed significantly more reported cases of rape among female ALHIV compared to their HIV-negative peers (p=0.008). Supporting literature from South Africa highlights rape as a risk factor for HIV in women (4). Achunike and Kitause provide vivid accounts of rape in Nigeria and its impact on victims, including physical injuries, fatigue and chronic headaches, and emotional problems, such as suicide attempts, stress disorders, depression, and sexual dysfunction (5, 6). Alcohol and drug abuse were also prominent for victims. In addition, adolescents and youths who have been sexually abused are more likely to have multiple concurrent sex partners, are less likely to report using contraception, and are more likely to report pregnancy (6). Prior reports have shown that 4–6% of all adolescent girls in southwestern Nigeria experience rape (3, 7). The strict code of silence among victims implies the potential for under-reporting, especially when victim blaming is the norm. Less than one in five (18.1%) of 10,000 respondents who have been raped in Nigeria report the offence to the police (8). There are many reasons for this. Rape results in stigmatization of the victim, resulting in rejection by families and communities, and with police sometimes unwilling to make official reports. Due to this stigma, women and adolescents may be unwilling or unable to obtain a medical examination to substantiate their report of rape (8). High rates of rape and low reporting underscore the need for specific actions to address sexual violence and to stem the tide on potential risks of HIV transmission. A report by Sinclair et al. showed that building self-defense skills of girls in Kenya significantly reduced incidence of rape over a 10-month period (9). However, prior to planning and implementing a similar program in Nigeria, it is important that leadership recognizes there is a rape epidemic. HIV infection is just one of the multiple challenges rape victims face, but a strong reason for stakeholders engaged with HIV prevention programmes to incorporate rape prevention in current and proposed HIV prevention programmes for adolescents. Olatunji conducted an extensive review of the Nigerian anti-rape law and identified shortcomings in the provisions which make rape prevention challenging (10). First, according to the law, rape can only be committed by a man to a woman, and it involves only penal and vaginal sex. The law does not acknowledge male rape victims nor does it recognize anal sex as part of rape. Second, a victim of rape needs to establish that penetration occurred, corroboration (or validation) of the crime needs to be established, and proof must be provided that consent was not given. The limitations with establishing consent make proving many of the few valid rape cases difficult (10). Overall, the low prospect of receiving legal judgment for rape stifles enthusiasm in seeking legal recourse. The recent rape and abduction of 276 female adolescents in Nigeria have further stirred up discussions and media attention about rape of girls and women within the context of conflict in the country (Table 1). Unfortunately, there is still little public dialogue linking rape and HIV infection, even when rape is occurring among married couples. The general population, government, and lawmakers need to understand the epidemic proportions of the crime and its potential long-term impact on the health of victims. This will help facilitate more structured interventions for the prevention of HIV among female adolescents in Nigeria.
Table 1

Short list of reported rape in Nigerian media

SourceMonth–yearArticle topic
Independent Television & RadioJuly 2013Increase in rape cases in Nigeria
Gist VilleOctober 201318-year old girl commits suicide after gang rape in Bayelsa
PunchFebruary 2014Tackling the rape epidemic in Nigeria
HmmNaija.comFebruary 201412-year-old rape victim: I'm glad he had an accident after raping me
VanguardMarch 2014Obesere rape saga-case transferred to SCID
Nigerian TribuneApril 2014Over 80 rape cases recorded in Edo State in 7 months
Premium timesApril 2014Checking high incidence of rape in Nigeria
Channels TVApril 2014Ondo Police Record 45 Rape Cases in 2013
Scan NewsApril 2014ICC moves against rape in Nigeria
The ParadigmMay 2014Two Chibok girls raped and left to die In Sambisa Forest By Boko Haram
DailyPostMay 2014Gunmen invade Benue University, rape 20 female students
News 24 NigeriaJune 2014UN: Nigerian schoolgirls face rape danger
Naija Standard NewspaperJuly 2014Policeman 32, rapes JSS 1 virgin girl
Short list of reported rape in Nigerian media
  3 in total

Review 1.  Adolescent health in an international context: the challenge of sexual and reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa.

Authors:  Adesegun Fatusi; Robert W Blum
Journal:  Adolesc Med State Art Rev       Date:  2009-12

2.  Intimate partner violence, relationship power inequity, and incidence of HIV infection in young women in South Africa: a cohort study.

Authors:  Rachel K Jewkes; Kristin Dunkle; Mzikazi Nduna; Nwabisa Shai
Journal:  Lancet       Date:  2010-07-03       Impact factor: 79.321

3.  Sexual behavior and experience of sexual coercion among secondary school students in three states in North Eastern Nigeria.

Authors:  Ademola J Ajuwon; Adeniyi Olaleye; Banji Faromoju; Oladapo Ladipo
Journal:  BMC Public Health       Date:  2006-12-23       Impact factor: 3.295

  3 in total
  7 in total

Review 1.  An epidemiological overview of child sexual abuse.

Authors:  Mannat Mohanjeet Singh; Shradha S Parsekar; Sreekumaran N Nair
Journal:  J Family Med Prim Care       Date:  2014 Oct-Dec

2.  Differences in Sexual Practices, Sexual Behavior and HIV Risk Profile between Adolescents and Young Persons in Rural and Urban Nigeria.

Authors:  Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan; Sylvia Adebajo; Adedayo Adeyemi; Kayode Micheal Ogungbemi
Journal:  PLoS One       Date:  2015-07-14       Impact factor: 3.240

3.  Associations between Forced Sexual Initiation, HIV Status, Sexual Risk Behavior, Life Stressors, and Coping Strategies among Adolescents in Nigeria.

Authors:  Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan; Abigail Harrison; Brandon Brown; Morolake Odetoyinbo; Jamila K Stockman; Ademola J Ajuwon; Carlos F Cáceres
Journal:  PLoS One       Date:  2016-05-10       Impact factor: 3.240

4.  HIV Non-Occupational Post Exposure Prophylaxis in Nigeria: A Systematic Review of Research Evidence and Practice.

Authors:  Sorochi H Iloanusi; Osaro O Mgbere; Susan M Abughosh; Ekere J Essien
Journal:  Int J MCH AIDS       Date:  2019-11-18

5.  Associations between a history of sexual abuse and dental anxiety, caries experience and oral hygiene status among adolescents in sub-urban South West Nigeria.

Authors:  Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan; Maha El Tantawi; Nourhan M Aly; Abiola Adetokunbo Adeniyi; Elizabeth Oziegbe; Olaniyi Arowolo; Michael Alade; Boladale Mapayi; Nneka Maureen Chukwumah; Olakunle Oginni; Nadia A Sam-Agudu
Journal:  BMC Oral Health       Date:  2021-04-19       Impact factor: 2.757

6.  Exploring the why: risk factors for HIV and barriers to sexual and reproductive health service access among adolescents in Nigeria.

Authors:  Morenike O Folayan; Nadia A Sam-Agudu; Abigail Harrison
Journal:  BMC Health Serv Res       Date:  2022-09-23       Impact factor: 2.908

7.  Differences in sexual behaviour and sexual practices of adolescents in Nigeria based on sex and self-reported HIV status.

Authors:  Morenike O Folayan; Morolake Odetoyinbo; Brandon Brown; Abigail Harrison
Journal:  Reprod Health       Date:  2014-12-06       Impact factor: 3.223

  7 in total

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