Sexual Abuse Among In-School and Out-Of-School Adolescents In Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Sexual abuse during adolescence is prevalent globally. Out-of-school adolescents in Nigeria face greater social and environmental hazards, yet comparisons with in-school peers remain scarce. This study evaluated knowledge, behaviours, and determinants of sexual abuse among adolescents in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study of 650 adolescents (325 in-school, 325 out-of-school) aged 10–19 years, selected via multistage sampling. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and 20 in-depth interviews, and analysed with IBM SPSS version 21.

Results: Out-of-school adolescents showed higher exposure to rape, fondling, and pornography. In-school adolescents had better overall abuse knowledge, while out-of-school adolescents had better rape-specific knowledge (73.2%). Key determinants among in-school adolescents included older age, male gender, living arrangements, smoking, pornography use, and transactional sex. Among out-of-school adolescents, determinants included alcohol use, guardian living arrangements, and early sexual initiation. Fear, stigma, and threats were the main barriers to disclosure.

Conclusions: Both groups experience elevated sexual abuse, with out-of-school adolescents more vulnerable. Preventive measures should include family involvement, community education, stronger law enforcement, and school-based guidance programmes.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2582.3280.202607

How to cite this article:
Feyisara A A, Alatishe-Muhammed B W, Olakunle S W, Ogunniyi J O, Adedeji A S. Sexual Abuse Among In-School and Out-of-School Adolescents in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. Ind J Youth Adol Health. 2026;13(2):3-11.