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Background <p>Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major public health and human rights concern, with underreporting limiting accurate estimation and effective prevention and response efforts, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence on the prevalence of contact, non-contact, and technology-facilitated CSA and the barriers to reporting among school-aged populations in Nigeria remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence and patterns of CSA and examined intrapersonal barriers to reporting among in-school children and adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted among 460 randomly selected in-school children and adolescents aged 8–17 years attending eight public secondary schools in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from previously validated instruments. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively using SPSS version 23. Responses to open-ended questions were analysed thematically to complement quantitative findings and explore adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceived intrapersonal barriers to reporting CSA.</p> Results <p>Overall, 25.2% of respondents reported experiencing at least one form of CSA. Non-contact and technology-facilitated forms of abuse were the most frequently reported, particularly exposure to pornographic materials (71.6%) and sexting (37.9%). More than 40% of respondents who experienced CSA had not disclosed their experiences. Although most respondents demonstrated good knowledge of reporting mechanisms and positive attitudes towards reporting, qualitative findings revealed persistent intrapersonal barriers to disclosure, including fear of punishment or retaliation, shame, perceived stigma, threats by perpetrators, close relationships with perpetrators, secrecy, and limited trust in adults or authorities. Many respondents also demonstrated a narrow conceptualisation of CSA, often restricting it to penetrative abuse.</p> Conclusion <p>CSA Child sexual abuse remains a substantial public health concern among in-school children and adolescents in Ibadan, with non-contact and technology-facilitated forms constituting a considerable proportion of reported experiences. Strengthening comprehensive sexuality education, digital safety education, adolescent-friendly reporting systems, and supportive responses from families, schools, and communities may improve recognition, disclosure, and child protection outcomes.</p>

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Prevalence and reporting barriers of child sexual abuse among in-school children and adolescents in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria: a cross-sectional mixed-methods study

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月1日

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  • Adenike Osiberu-Asaolu,
  • Oladimeji Oladepo

摘要

Background

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major public health and human rights concern, with underreporting limiting accurate estimation and effective prevention and response efforts, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence on the prevalence of contact, non-contact, and technology-facilitated CSA and the barriers to reporting among school-aged populations in Nigeria remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence and patterns of CSA and examined intrapersonal barriers to reporting among in-school children and adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods

A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted among 460 randomly selected in-school children and adolescents aged 8–17 years attending eight public secondary schools in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from previously validated instruments. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively using SPSS version 23. Responses to open-ended questions were analysed thematically to complement quantitative findings and explore adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceived intrapersonal barriers to reporting CSA.

Results

Overall, 25.2% of respondents reported experiencing at least one form of CSA. Non-contact and technology-facilitated forms of abuse were the most frequently reported, particularly exposure to pornographic materials (71.6%) and sexting (37.9%). More than 40% of respondents who experienced CSA had not disclosed their experiences. Although most respondents demonstrated good knowledge of reporting mechanisms and positive attitudes towards reporting, qualitative findings revealed persistent intrapersonal barriers to disclosure, including fear of punishment or retaliation, shame, perceived stigma, threats by perpetrators, close relationships with perpetrators, secrecy, and limited trust in adults or authorities. Many respondents also demonstrated a narrow conceptualisation of CSA, often restricting it to penetrative abuse.

Conclusion

CSA Child sexual abuse remains a substantial public health concern among in-school children and adolescents in Ibadan, with non-contact and technology-facilitated forms constituting a considerable proportion of reported experiences. Strengthening comprehensive sexuality education, digital safety education, adolescent-friendly reporting systems, and supportive responses from families, schools, and communities may improve recognition, disclosure, and child protection outcomes.