IMPACT OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ON CHILDREN WITHIN INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS HOST COMMUNITIES: A MIXED-METHODS STUDY IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) has severe and lasting impacts on victims, particularlyamong vulnerable populations such as children in internally displaced persons (IDPs) communities.This study examined the multidimensional impacts of CSA on children within IDP hostcommunities in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods design combiningquantitative surveys (N=331) and qualitative Key Informant Interviews (N=15) was employed.Structured questionnaires assessed psychological, health, and social impacts of CSA. Descriptivestatistics and correlational analyses were used to identify associated impact factors, while thematicanalysis explored qualitative narratives. The study identified significant psychological impactsincluding depression and sleep disturbance (36.6%), shame and stigma (26.3%), disappointmentand frustration (22.7%), fear and anxiety (10.0%), and anger (4.5%). Health impacts includedHIV/STD (29.3%), emotional disturbance (27.8%), infertility (22.7%), and mental instability(20.2%). Social impacts comprised stigmatization (36.6%), low self-esteem (26.3%), alcoholconsumption (22.7%), drug consumption (10.0%), and interpersonal relationship difficulties(4.5%). A descriptive correlational analysis revealed that most identified consequences showedsignificant associations with overall CSA impact severity (p < 0.05), though depression approachedbut did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.076). The model accounted for 67% of the variance(R² = 0.67). Child sexual abuse has profound and multifaceted impacts on children in IDP hostcommunities, affecting psychological well-being, physical health, and social functioning. Thesefindings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive, survivor-centred interventions addressingthe complex sequelae of CSA in displacement contexts.