Predictors of Rape among Never-Married Young Females in Rural and Urban Communities in Nigeria

Electronic and print media have reported increased incidences of rape among different age groups. Never-married young females appear to be the main targets of this social menace. What predisposing factors make never-married young females a significant target in the growing epidemic of rape in Nigeria? This study seeks to provide an answer. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among young women randomly selected across Nigeria. Descriptive statistical tools and logistic regression were used to analyze the survey data using SPSS 26. The data were obtained from a subsample of 751 never-married females (10 years and older) surveyed in a larger study conducted in mid-2022. The findings suggest that the national incidence of rape among the study population is 19.2%. The rural-urban differences revealed that rape incidence among never-married females is higher in urban communities than in rural communities. Ethnicity, substance use, and childhood family background were significantly associated with rape incidence (p<0.05). Therefore, advocacy will likely be impactful if exhilarated child protection laws and aggressive campaigns against substance use, especially among young females are considered in its design and implementation.