Changing patterns of domestic and sexual gender-based violence among survivors attending a referral center in north-east Nigeria: A 5-year retrospective review.

Abstract

Objective: This study assesses the changing patterns of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV) among survivors managed at a dedicated referral center in North-East Nigeria over a 5-year period (2021-2025).

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Gender-Based Violence Unit of the Specialist Hospital Gombe. Records of all survivors of DSGBV managed between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2025, were reviewed. Data on year of presentation, age, sex, type of violence, place of residence, and time of reporting were extracted. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize trends and distributions. Inferential analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 26 (IBMCorporation, Armonk, NY, USA). This study was reported in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.

Results: A total of 675 survivors were recorded, with a progressive increase from 79 cases in 2021 to 171 in 2025. Adolescents aged 10-14 years consistently accounted for the highest proportion of cases (196/675; 29%). Females constituted 81.6% (551/675) of survivors. Sexual violence was the predominant form of abuse (556/675; 82.3%). Most survivors (601/675; 89.0%) resided in rural areas. Delayed reporting beyond 72 h was the most common pattern across all years.

Conclusion: Reported cases of DSGBV increased progressively over 5 years, with children and adolescents bearing a disproportionate burden and sexual violence predominating. These findings highlight the need for strengthened routine screening, provider training, and equitable access to survivor-centered services, particularly for rural and adolescent populations in conflict-affected settings.