Patterns and predictors of male child sexual abuse among in-school male adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Male child sexual abuse (CSA) remains hidden in many developing countries. Understanding the dynamics of male CSA is cardinal to addressing the problem effectively. This study determined the pattern and predictors of male CSA among in-school male adolescents (ages of 10 to 19 years) in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. Methods: test and binary logistic regression at p<0.05. Results: There were 472 male adolescents from 12 secondary schools with a mean age of 13.4±1.9 years, and 327 (69.3%) were older than 14 years (older adolescents). 137 (29.0%) had experienced sexual abuse, of which 110 (23.3%), 74 (15.7) and 47 (10.0%) experienced non-contact, contact and both forms of CSA. The first experience of CSA was at age less than 10 years for 63 (57.3%) and 34 (45.9%) for non-contact and contact CSA respectively. Most perpetrators were known to the adolescents and 48 (64.9%) were adolescents. These perpetrators were females in 29 (26.4%) and 34 (45.9%) for the adolescents' first non-contact and contact CSA experiences, respectively. Having unmarried parents (OR: 3.2, 95% CI 1.7 to 5.9) and coming from a polygamous family (OR: 2.1, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.8) predicted any form of CSA. Also, contact CSA was predicted by older adolescent age (OR: 1.78, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.0). Conclusion: Male CSA was common among these adolescents and the consideration of the family variables that predict it may guide in the design of strategies to prevent male CSA.