Sexual Risk Behaviours among Young People with Adverse Childhood Experiences in Ibadan, Nigeria.

This study aimed to examine the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and sexual risk behaviours and sexual re-victimization among young people. A cross-sectional survey of 347 young people residing in a low socioeconomic urban community in Ibadan, Nigeria was conducted. Predictors of sexual risk behaviour and sexual re-victimization after the age of 16 years were determined with logistic regression analysis. At least one form of adverse experience was reported by all respondents. The order of occurrence was: physical neglect (98%), emotional abuse (38.3%), physical abuse (35.7%) and sexual abuse (29.1%) and emotional neglect (28.8%). In all, 15.0% reported at least one risky sexual behaviour. The risk factors for sexual risk behaviours were: age ≥20 years [OR: 9.8 (3.8- 25.6)], lack of family connectedness [OR: 4.2(1.5-11.6)] and history of child sexual abuse [OR: 6.9(3.514.1)].The odds of sexual risk behaviour increased by 2.3(1.7-3.2) with each additional ACE reported. Child sexual abuse [OR 12.1(4.4-32.7] was the only risk factor for sexual re-victimization. Our findings support the evidence of the interrelatedness of child sexual abuse, lack of parental connectedness and subsequent sexual risk behaviour particularly with increasing age. A cycle of sexual re-victimisation was also identified. These suggest preventive targets for victimised children.