Barriers and facilitators to accessing post sexual-based violence health services among young women attending higher education institutions in Nigeria
Abstract Background 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 acce...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Women's Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03714-2 |
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| author | Ajoke Esther Ogedegbe Zhong Eric Chen Oluwafemi Adeagbo Oluwaseun Badru Ebele R.I. Mogo Brenda Mbouamba Yankam Adaeze Oreh Muktar A. Gadanya Luchuo Engelbert Bain |
| author_facet | Ajoke Esther Ogedegbe Zhong Eric Chen Oluwafemi Adeagbo Oluwaseun Badru Ebele R.I. Mogo Brenda Mbouamba Yankam Adaeze Oreh Muktar A. Gadanya Luchuo Engelbert Bain |
| author_sort | Ajoke Esther Ogedegbe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background 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. Methods 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. Results 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. Conclusion 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-52a6838c5e4b408f8964309fa9936e65 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1472-6874 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-52a6838c5e4b408f8964309fa9936e652025-08-20T02:17:58ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742025-04-012511910.1186/s12905-025-03714-2Barriers and facilitators to accessing post sexual-based violence health services among young women attending higher education institutions in NigeriaAjoke Esther Ogedegbe0Zhong Eric Chen1Oluwafemi Adeagbo2Oluwaseun Badru3Ebele R.I. Mogo4Brenda Mbouamba Yankam5Adaeze Oreh6Muktar A. Gadanya7Luchuo Engelbert Bain8Adolescents and Youth Wellbeing InitiativeUniversity of EdinburghDepartment of Community and Behavioral Health, University of IowaDepartment of Community and Behavioral Health, University of IowaERIM ConsultingFakultät für Mathematik Ruhr-Universität BochumRivers State Ministry of HealthDepartment of Community Medicine, Bayero University/Aminu Kano Teaching HospitalDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of JohannesburgAbstract Background 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. Methods 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. Results 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. Conclusion 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03714-2 |
| spellingShingle | Ajoke Esther Ogedegbe Zhong Eric Chen Oluwafemi Adeagbo Oluwaseun Badru Ebele R.I. Mogo Brenda Mbouamba Yankam Adaeze Oreh Muktar A. Gadanya Luchuo Engelbert Bain Barriers and facilitators to accessing post sexual-based violence health services among young women attending higher education institutions in Nigeria BMC Women's Health |
| title | Barriers and facilitators to accessing post sexual-based violence health services among young women attending higher education institutions in Nigeria |
| title_full | Barriers and facilitators to accessing post sexual-based violence health services among young women attending higher education institutions in Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Barriers and facilitators to accessing post sexual-based violence health services among young women attending higher education institutions in Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers and facilitators to accessing post sexual-based violence health services among young women attending higher education institutions in Nigeria |
| title_short | Barriers and facilitators to accessing post sexual-based violence health services among young women attending higher education institutions in Nigeria |
| title_sort | barriers and facilitators to accessing post sexual based violence health services among young women attending higher education institutions in nigeria |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03714-2 |
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