Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate the determinants of rape among minors in the Kolda region.
Methodology: A retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical was conducted from 23 December 1992 to 31 December 2011, based on the charts of rape victims under the age of 18 years. Sampling was complete. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Epi Info 3.3.2 and R 2.9.2 software, respectively.
Results: The study included 162 cases of sexual assault. The mean age of victims was 12.3 +/- 3 years (range: 4-17 years). The mean age of perpetrators of sexual assault was 26.4 +/- 9.5 years and minors accounted for 13% of perpetrators. 54.9% of victims, were raped. Victims of sexual assault knew the perpetrator in 66% of cases and were attacked in broad daylight in 53.4% of cases. The perpetrators were drunk at the time of sexual assault in 15.3% of cases. The assault took place in the bush (14.8%). Twenty eight percent (28%) of rapists were jailed and 38.6% of them were jailed for between 5 and 10 years. Sexual assault in the bush [adjusted OR = 3.46 (1.02-11.77)] and intoxication of the perpetrator at the time of sexual assault [adjusted OR = 3.47 (1.04-11.61)] were associated with a high risk of rape. In contrast, victims who knew their assailants were at a lower risk of rape [adjusted OR = 0.09 (0.03 to 0.24)].
Conclusion: Extension of this study to the national scale would provide health and judicial authorities with an overview of sexual assault among minors, to allow more effective prevention at the national level.