KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION OF RAPE AMONG MALE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Rape is a serious Public Health problem worldwide, with significant physical, psychological and social complications. Most studies on rape focused on females’ experience of rape, with few targeting the prevalence and factors associated with rape perpetration among male students in tertiary institutions. This study was therefore designed to determine the level of knowledge, perception, attitude and prevalence of rape among Male Undergraduates (MUs) of the University of Ibadan. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Four hundred and sixteen consenting MUs, from three out of the seven MU halls of residence were selected using simple random sampling. Respondents were selected from halls of residence, blocks and rooms using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire which included questions on respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, perception, attitude and prevalence relating to rape. Knowledge was measured using a 12-point knowledge scale and scores 0-3, 4-7 and ≥8 were rated poor, fair and good respectively. Perception was measured using a 13- point perception scale and scores <7 and ≥7 were rated supportive and non-supportive of rape. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square were used to analyse the quantitative data with level of significance set at 0.05. Age of respondents was 22±3.3years; 85.6% were Christians and 76.6% Yoruba. Close to half (44.7%) of respondents had good knowledge of rape, 50.3% had fair knowledge and 5.0% had poor knowledge of rape. Knowledge score was 2.7+0.5. Majority (91.1%) had a non-supportive perception to rape. Perception score of respondents was 2.8±0.4. About one third (29.3%) had ever had sexual intercourse. Of these, 2.4% had perpetrated at least one form of rape. More than a quarter (37.5%) of rape perpetrated occurred within six months preceding the study and 80.0% took place during the academic session. The episodes of rape was perpetrated in perpetrators’ hostel (10.0%); perpetrators office (10.0%), survivors’ hostel (20.0%) within the campus. Also, in the hotel room (30.0%), perpetrators house (20.0%) and survivors’ house (10.0%) outside the campus. Forms of rape perpetrated include: Forced vagina sex (45.0%), forced insertion of finger into the vagina (45.0%), forced anal sex (5.0%) and forced oral sex (5.0%). Actions taken to resist rape by the victims includes verbal refusal (70.0%), physical resistance (20.0%) and shouting for

help (10.0%). The perpetrators were motivated by love for the victim (45.5%), lady’s pride (27.3%) and lady’s beauty (18.2%). After the rape, 40.0% of the victims cried, 20.0% of them were very sad while 10.0% of the victim both felt embarrassed and felt ashamed. Rape was perpetrated in the female hostel (20.0%) than in the male hostel (10.0%). There was no significant difference between socio-demographic characteristics and perception to rape. Therefore, to reduce occurrence of rape among undergraduates, campus enlightenment activities is recommended. Furthermore, there is need for capacity building on self-actualisation for girls through training workshops.