ABSTRACT
Background: Sexual assault is any sexual act performed by one person on another without the person’s consent or on a victim who is incapable of giving consent. It is a violation of basic human rights, a gender-based issue and a violent crime against both the individual and the society. The objectives of the study were to determine the incidence, pattern and management of sexual assault in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.Methods: This was a 10 - year retrospective study. Case records of sexual assault from 1st January, 2007 to 31st December, 2016 were retrieved and relevant data extracted and analyzed using the SPSS for windows version 20.0Results: The incidence of sexual assault was 0.8%. Majority, 88 (85.4%) occurred in children and adolescents. Peno-vaginal penetration was the most common form of assault 65 (63.1%) and the assailants were known to the victims in 74 (71.9%) of the cases. Involvement of psychiatrists/psychologists in the management of the victims was poor as psychiatrists were involved in only 13 (12.6%) of the cases. Most of the victims were lost to follow up.Conclusions: Sexual assaults occurred mostly in children and adolescents in this study. Increased public awareness and preventive interventions are required especially among the at-risk age groups to enhance their safety. Training of relevant persons in the institution to offer counselling to the victims is recommended as referral for psychiatrists’ consultation was poor. It is important to institute a good tracking system to follow up the victims as most are lost to follow up.
ABSTRACT
Background: One of the most sensitive and intimate decisions made by any individual or couple is that of fertility control . The knowledge of the factors which influence contraceptive choices may increase its acceptance and uptake. This study determines the choice and reason for contraception among new clients attending the Fertility Research Unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital; Sokoto. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study a structured questionnaire was administered to 251 consecutive clients; who attended the Fertility Research Unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital; Sokoto between 1 July 2008 and 31 December 2008. Results: Most (58.2) of the clients were between 21 and 30 years of age. Many (42.6) were grand multipara. Majority (76.9) of the clients were married. The main source of ) was the physicians. Child spacing (87.7knowledge of contraception and referral (45.8) was the most common reason given for contraceptive use. Majority (55.8) of the clients chose Implanon and the least preferred method of contraception was the condom (2.0). Conclusion: Our data shows that the most commonly chosen contraceptive method in the study population was the Implanon. Child spacing was the main reason for seeking family planning while the source of contraceptive knowledge was the physicians