Prevalence and Pattern of Sexual Assaults among the Mentally Ill attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: Sexual assault among the mentally ill has become a common trend of public health concern occurring in various forms and perpetrated by different classes of individuals. It has become a more accurate predictor of suicidal ideation and attempt than any other form of abuse.

Aim: This study determined the prevalence and pattern of sexual assaults among the mentally ill attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among attendees of Neuropsychiatric Outpatient Clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). A structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics and other factors were self-administered to 75 patients diagnosed with various psychiatric disorders by consultant Psychiatrists at the out-patient clinic via a systematic random sampling method. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethical committee of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data.

Results: Majority of the mentally ill patients were male (81%), had tertiary education (58.7%), and between the ages of 21 and 30 (44%). The most common mental illness experienced by victims of sexual assault include depression 21(28.0%), the least being sleep and personality disorders 1(1.3%). 16% reported that they had experienced sexual assault, and majority (38.7%) reported that the assault occurred when they were between the ages of 10 and 18. Majority of perpetrators of sexual assault were siblings 5(6.7%), followed by mother 3(4.0%). Some percentage was strangers (1.3%), with the rest being either a visitor to the house (1.3%), or neighbor (1.3%). Only (2.7%) of those who experienced sexual assault reported the assault, (9.3%) did not report it, while 66 (88%) had no response.

Conclusion: Sexual assault among the mentally ill is on the rise and manifests in several forms. Measures should be taken by all stakeholders including the government to curb this ugly trend.