Determinants of Sexual Abuse among Adolescents in Public Senior Secondary Schools in Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract Background: Sexual abuse of adolescents is a major public health and human rights concern with profound physical, psychological, and social consequences. Adolescents in school settings are particularly vulnerable due to their developmental stage and social environments. Understanding the determinants of sexual abuse is critical for designing effective prevention strategies. This study assessed the determinants of sexual abuse among adolescents attending public senior secondary schools in Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. Methods: A school-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2025 among 270 adolescents selected using a multistage sampling technique from public senior secondary schools in Gwagwalada. Data were collected using a pretested, structured, self-administered questionnaire. Sexual abuse was assessed as the dependent variable, while socio-demographic, family-related, and social factors were explored as independent variables. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Bivariate analysis was conducted using chi-square tests, and variables with p-values < 0.05 were entered into multivariate logistic regression to identify independent determinants of sexual abuse. Results: Sexual abuse was reported by 38.9% of respondents. At the bivariate level, age group, class level, living arrangement, parental education, parental occupation, and perceived stigma were significantly associated with sexual abuse (p < 0.05). On multivariate logistic regression, adolescents who did not live with both parents had significantly higher odds of experiencing sexual abuse (AOR > 1). Father’s occupation and perceived stigma were also independent predictors of sexual abuse. Adolescents who perceived stigma related to sexual abuse were more likely to report having experienced abuse. Conclusion: Sexual abuse among adolescents in Gwagwalada is strongly influenced by family structure, parental socioeconomic factors, and stigma. Interventions aimed at strengthening family support systems, reducing stigma, and improving parental supervision are essential to reduce adolescents’ vulnerability to sexual abuse.