Journal article
Barriers and facilitators to accessing post sexual-based violence health services among young women attending higher education institutions in Nigeria
BMC women's health, Vol.25(1), 193
04/19/2025
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-025-03714-2
PMCID: PMC12008884
PMID: 40251599
Abstract
Post sexual-based violence (SBV) services are crucial for mitigating SBV-induced consequences. However, these services are reportedly rare and often underutilized, particularly by young women in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to accessing post-SBV services among young women (18-24 years) attending higher education institutions in Nigeria.
An online survey, using a piloted questionnaire, was administered to a purposive sample of 114 participants recruited from social media platforms between the 8th and 22nd March 2022. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the study findings.
The majority (71.1%) of the participants were between the ages of 21 and 24 years. Of the 37 participants who indicated they have had their first sexual intercourse, a quarter (9, 24.3%) indicated it was non-consensual. Also, 1 in 5 respondents did not identify SBV/abuse as abnormal. Half of the participants (50.9%) strongly agreed that a post-SBV health service should be the first place to seek care following an incident of rape, however, over half (53.2%) reported a lack of awareness of existing post-SBV health services as a key barrier affecting access. Less than half of the participants strongly agreed that healthcare workers could provide the post-SBV services highlighted in the study, including emergency contraceptives to prevent pregnancy (42.9%) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (39.6%), highlighting awareness gaps. Other significant barriers included stigma, shame, and a lack of support systems. Key facilitators included assurance of confidentiality and access to free post-SBV health services.
Significant barriers and facilitators affect access to post-SBV health services in Nigeria, particularly among young women. Multilevel efforts by families, civil society organizations, communities, and governments are essential to address these barriers and improve access to post-SBV health services.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Barriers and facilitators to accessing post sexual-based violence health services among young women attending higher education institutions in Nigeria
- Creators
- Ajoke Esther Ogedegbe - University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesZhong Eric Chen - University of EdinburghOluwafemi Adeagbo - University of JohannesburgOluwaseun Badru - University of IowaEbele R I Mogo - University of CambridgeBrenda Mbouamba Yankam - Douala General Hospital, Douala, CameroonAdaeze Oreh - Rivers State Ministry of Health, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, NigeriaMuktar A Gadanya - Department of Community Medicine, Bayero University/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, NigeriaLuchuo Engelbert Bain - African Population and Health Research Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- BMC women's health, Vol.25(1), 193
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12905-025-03714-2
- PMID
- 40251599
- PMCID
- PMC12008884
- NLM abbreviation
- BMC Womens Health
- ISSN
- 1472-6874
- eISSN
- 1472-6874
- Publisher
- BMC
- Grant note
- USHER Institute, University of Edinburgh
We express our gratitude to the participants of the study, who supported the study by responding to the questionnaire. We also appreciate the USHER Institute, University of Edinburgh for their guidance and support in developing the study.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/19/2025
- Academic Unit
- Community and Behavioral Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984811217602771
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