title: Analysis of cases of rape as seen at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, North Central Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Women are at a higher risk of being sexually harassed. There is a need to document the clinical findings of this crime and its outcome in order to improve the quality of care the victims receive.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case notes of patients who presented with alleged rape at Jos University Teaching Hospital between January 2001 and December 2003 were retrieved and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period, 2,135 patients were seen in the Gynaecological Emergency Unit. A total of 120 were for alleged rape, representing 5.6% of the total cases seen. However, only 105 case notes were available for analysis. Of these, 63.8% of the alleged rapes were in children, with the infantile age group accounting for 26.7%. 36.2% of the victims had experienced some form of sexual exposure prior to the rape. A previous relationship with the rapist was established in 77.4% of the cases. Most cases delayed in presenting to hospital. Thirty six percent of the cases did not have a human immunodeficiency virus screening test done. Candida albicans (13.3%) accounted for most of the infectious agents. Emergency contraception was administered to the victims when indicated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women under 16 years of age were at an increased risk of being raped, possibly because they are defenseless and vulnerable. Three quarters (3/4) of the assailants had some form of relationship with the victims, which may account for the delays in reporting. Children and young adolescents were more at risk than adults to be raped.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos and Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. phdaru@yahoo.com
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Daru
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Osagie
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Pam
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Mutihir
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Silas
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Ekwempu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009549:Nigeria; D010808:Physical Examination; D011902:Rape / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D014754:Violence; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult