The Prevalence of Sexual and Gender-based Violence among MSM and Transwomen in Nigeria

Abstract

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against minority populations is a global public health problem with consequential effects on human health and development. It has been reported among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transwomen in forms of verbal abuse and physical and sexual violence. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of SGBV among MSM and transwomen in Nigeria. It was cross-sectional in design utilizing a snowballing method to recruit participants. A total of 382 responses were received through an online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze the data at the significance level of 5%. The mean (SD) age of respondents was 27(0.3) years. About 35 % (95%CI: 30.2-39.8) of all respondents had ever experienced sexual violence, and 42.1 % (95%CI: 37.3-47.2) had ever experienced physical violence. The prevalence of sexual violence within one year preceding the study was 13.8% (95%CI: 10.8-17.5), while physical violence was 16.3% (95%CI: 13.0-20.2). Transwomen were about thrice (odds ratio: 2.92, p<0.01) and 5.6 times (p<0.001) more likely to experience sexual and physical violence respectively than MSM self-identified as males. Transwomen were also about 3 times more likely to experience IPV than MSM self-identified as males (odds ratio: 2.92, p<0.01). One-fifth (18.1%) of all respondents had ever experienced IPV, and for transwomen, it was 1 in 3. This study showed a high prevalence of both sexual and physical violence among MSM and transwomen in Nigeria, and this necessitate the creation of a legal framework that will protect their rights. Keywords: Gaymen, Gender-based violence, Men who have sex with men, Prevalence, Sexual violence, Transwomen.