Prevalence and pattern of child sexual abuse among secondary adolescents in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major public health concern with long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences. In sub-Saharan Africa, particularly northern Nigeria, evidence on CSA remains limited, and region-specific data are scarce. This cross-sectional study examines the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of CSA among secondary school adolescents in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a multistage sampling technique to recruit 308 adolescents from selected public and private secondary schools. Data were collected using validated, self-administered questionnaires assessing sociodemographic characteristics, experiences and forms of CSA, perpetrator profiles, locations of abuse, disclosure patterns, and responses to disclosure. RESULTS: The prevalence of CSA was 24.4%. Non-penetrative forms were most common, including exposure to pornography (48%) and fondling (29.3%), while forced sexual intercourse accounted for 14.7% of reported cases. Abuse most frequently occurred at home (44%) and in school settings (26.7%). The majority of perpetrators were male (80%) and known to the victims. Disclosure was low (37.3%), with mothers (39.3%) and friends (28.5%) being the most commonly informed. CONCLUSION: CSA remains highly prevalent among adolescents in Sokoto Metropolis, with girls and adolescents from unstable family environments being particularly vulnerable. Low disclosure rates and negative responses to disclosure further exacerbate the problem. These findings provide important region-specific epidemiological evidence and highlight the urgent need for strengthened child protection policies, improved community awareness, school-based prevention programs, and accessible support systems for survivors.