EFFECT OF CHILD ABUSE ON CHILDREN, AGE 6 YEARS – 13 YEARS

AND ITS IMPLICATIONS IN AGURA-GBERIGBE COMMUNITY OF

BY

-----------

---------------------

IN REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DIPLOMA IN COMMUNITY

RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO SCHOOL OF COMMUNITY

AUGUST, 2023

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 CERTIFICATION

I certify that this research work was carried out by -------------- of the School Of Community

Health Extension Workers, Lagos State College Of Health Technology, for the award of

National Diploma carried out under the supervision of -----------------

_____________ _______________

STUDENT’S SIGNATURE DATE

_____________ _______________

---------------------------- DATE

Supervisor

_____________ _______________

MRS SANNI IYABO DATE

Dean

School Of Community Health Extension Worker

Lagos State College Of Health Technology

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 DEDICATION

I dedicate this research project to the Almighty God for his grace throughout this course. I also

dedicate this to my parents, husband, children and well wishers for their morale support towards

completion of this project.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Firstly, my thanks go to Almighty God for assisting me through the completion of this work.

Then I give my thanks to my parent and husband for their assistance in every way through the

pursuit of my career goal.

My special thanks goes to my able supervisor -------------for her guidance and counseling during

the course to completing this work.

Special thanks goes to my fellow friends and colleagues for their help and morale support. And

to those who assisted me in data collection. Not forgetting the community members and the key

informants who voluntarily participated in this study, thank you so much.

Finally, to everyone who assisted me one way or the other, I send my salutations to you all. May

God continue to be with you all.

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 ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the incidence of child abuse and its implication in

Aguda Gberigbe community in Ikorodu, Lagos State. Child abuse in the community includes

child labour and exploitation, street hawking, child marriage, child trafficking, street children,

etc

The government provide market, stall as many as possible for the state in order to reduce the act

of child abuse and to control its menace. Despite the provision of market and stalls people are

still adamant, they abuse children. The government tries to control its menace, by constant

raiding of the children, the evil effect that follows child abuse is loss of lives because it is

confirmed that many of the abuse children were being killed by careless drivers.

The scope of this project principally centered on browsing the internet, questionnaire,

observation and interview in Aguda Gberigbe community in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

This project revealed the causes, reasons and implicatioin of child abuse in the community as the

people are ignorance of the menace of child abuse.

Conclusively, this project would create awareness of the community to child abuse and will also

enlighten them that child abuse is an illegal act if the suggestion and the recommendation in this

project are put into practice.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

Title page………………………………………………………………………..i

Certification….…...…………………………………………………………….ii

Dedication.. . ……………….…………………………………………………iii

Acknowledgement.............................................................................................iv

Abstract... ………………………………………………………………............v

Table of content........................................................................................... vi-vii

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………….......1-7

1.1 Background of the Study ……………………………………………………1

1.2 Statement of the Problem …………………………………………………...4

1.3 Purpose of Study…………………………………………………………….4

1.4 Significance of study……………………………….………………………..5

1.5. Research Questions………………………………….……………………...6

1.6. Research Hypothesis………………………………….…………………….7

1.7 Scope and Limitations of study……………………….……………………..8

1.8. Definition of Operational Terms………………………………………..…..8

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0. Introduction …………………………………… ………………………….9

2.1 Literature review…………………………………… …………………….9

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2.2 History of child abuse…………………………………… …………………10

2.3. Development of child abuse …………………………………… …………14

2.4 Types of child abuse…………………………………… ……………………17

2.4 Child Abuse in Africa …………………………………… …………………21

2.5 Causes of child abuse…….………………………………… ………………23

2.6. Consequences of child abuse……………………….……………… ………25

2.7 Child Abuse Prevention In Africa…………………………………………….29

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction……………………………………………………………….. 31

3.1. Area Of Study…………………………………………………………….. 31

3.2. Research Design…………………………………………………………. .37

3.3.Target Population Of Study……………………………………………… .38

3.4. Sampling Size And Sampling Techniques……………………………… ..38

3.5. Data Collection Instruments…………………………………………… . ..38

3.6. Validity And Reliability Of Research Instrument………………………. .40

3.7. Data Collection Procedure………………………………………………..40

3.8. Method Of Data Analysis……………………………………………….…41

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CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION

4.0 Introduction …………………………………………………………….42

4.1 Data presentation and analysis …………………………………… …42

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDATION

5.0 Summary …………………………………… …………………….………51

5.1 Recommendation…………………………………… …………..…………51

5.2 Suggestions for further study…………………………………… …………52

5.3 Conclusion…………………………………… ………………………….…52

REFERENCE………………………………………………………………...54-55

QUESTIONNAIRE……………………………………………………………56-58

APPENDIX………………………………………………………………….

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.1 INTRODUCTION TO CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse is one of the major source of menace to children and the entire

generation of the world. It is eating deeply into the societies and the world at large,

destroying the destiny of potential world leaders. Although, very common in Nigeria and

Africa as a whole due to presence of poverty, bad relationship, poor economic growth,

lack of education and lack of exposure, yet child abuse is also a problem in the developed

world. For instance, in the United State, the centre for disease control and prevention

(CDC) report increases of neglect, physical abuse, psychological/emotional abuse and

child sexual abuse annually.

Child abuse is said to be the physical, sexual or emotional mistreatment of children. It

can take several forms; the four (4) main types are physical, sexual/psychological and

neglect.

Child neglect is where the responsible adult fails to provide adequately for various needs,

including physical (failure to provide adequate food, clothing or hygiene) which is a basic

needs, emotional (failure to provide nurturing or affection). Educational (failure to enroll

a child in school), Medical (failure to medicate the child or take him or her to the doctor).

This abuse is very rampant in developing countries in which Nigeria is one. Some

parent/guardians could hardly fend for themselves let alone providing for their

children/wards.

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Physical abuse is physical aggression directed at a child by an adult. It may be in form of

slapping, shaking, kicking, snoring, pulling ears or hair, choking or shaking a child.

Shaking a child can cause shaken baby syndrome, which may lead to intra-cranial

pressure, swelling of the brain, diffuse and axonal injury and oxygen deprivation which

leads to patterns such as failure to thrive, vomiting, lethargy etc.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a form of child in which an adult or older adolescent abuse a

child for sexual stimulation. This may include asking or pressuring a child to engage in

sexual activities (regardless of the outcome), indecent exposure of the genitalia to a child,

displaying pornography to a child, actual sexual contact against a child, physical contact

with the child’s genitals, viewing of the child’s genitalia without physical contact or

using a child to produce child pornography. Approximately 15% to 25% of woman and

5% to 15% of men were sexually abuse, when they were children.

Psychological/emotional abuse is the hardest to define out of all the possible form of

abuse. It may include name calling, ridicule, degradation, destruction of personal

belongings, fortune or destruction of a pet, excessive criticism, inappropriate or excessive

demands etc.

A sizeable number of growing children of poor socio-economic class especially in

rural area are known to be inducted as child labour, studies have shown that labour at

very young age can be dire consequence on the child’s development both physical and

mental child laborers always had lower growth and health and health status compared to

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their non-working counterparts, besides exposure to occupational hazards at a very young

stage in their lives.

Lagos state of Nigeria is the most thickly populated state in the country, with a

population of 5,685,078 with special reference to 1991 census. It is also the greatest

commercial centre of the country. The population increase day – in day – out due to the

fact that it is the seat of industries where populace could get employment to keep life

rolling.

In view of the above mentioned statement, the government tried to provide market, stalls

as many as possible for the state in order to reduce the act of child abuse by opening them

to street hawking and control it menace, despite the provision of market and stalls, people

still open children to street hawking, they buy and sell on the street. Despite constant

raiding of the children and their goods or wares, people are still adamant, and the evil

effect that follows, such as loss of lives and properties. It is also confirmed that many of

the hawkers mostly children, were being killed by careless drives.

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 Child abuse is a complex phenomenon with multiple causes but understanding the

causes of abuse is crucial to addressing the problem of child abuse. Parents who

physically abuse their spouse are more likely than others to physically abuse their

children.

However, the effects of child abuse cannot be over emphasized children with a history of

neglect or physical abuses are at risk of developing psychiatric problems or a

disorganized attachments style.

1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to determine the Effects Of Child Abuse On Children Aged 6-13

Years And Its Implication In Agura-Gberigbe Community Of Ikorodu Local

Government.

General objectives

This study hopes to bring a lot of health benefits to participants in the study, and health

officials of various categories not only in Agura-Gberigbe Community Of Ikorodu Local

Government, but also in the entire state and country and Africa as a whole. There are a

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lot of innumerable benefits in preventing child abuse in societies. Raising the awareness

on child abuse, causes, effects and various ways to curb it among society generally will

contribute to reducing many health and insecurity problems among the population.

Specific objectives

 To reveals the phenomenon of child abuse in the community

 To show the cause and effects of child abuse using Agura-Gberigbe community of

Ikorodu as a case study.

 To provide an approach that is geared towards ensuring quality care of children in

the society.

 To stimulate governmental bodies as well as NGOs to participate in children’s

welfarism.

 To add to the body of knowledge.

JUSTIFICATION

Child abuse inflicts both physical and psychological/emotional injuries on its

victims and it is capable of incapacitating the up-coming generation to live at their full

potential.

Hence, there is need to research into the causes and effects of child abuse in the (Agura-

Gberigbe community) and make recommendation which may facilitate decision making.

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 The result of the project may also be used to enact laws guiding the proper conduct

against children and improving enforcement of child right.

1.3 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

Apart from the fact that this study could facilitate decision making for co-operative

organization and especially the government. It is also of great relevance for research

purpose. It could also serve as a literature review for other studies.

It could be seen as an aid for sensitizing the society on the various implication of child

abuse.

Finally, it serves as future document for up-coming generation.

1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATION

There are peculiar constraints that normally, limits the scope of study of a writer when

carrying out a research work of this nature, this research is not an exemption of such

research work. The scope of study of this project is limited to the people of Agura-

Gberigbe community of Ikorodu in Ikorodu Local Government area of Lagos State.

This is because the financial capacity of the researcher cannot be able to sponsor a

research work that will cover the whole of Lagos State.

Some other constraints that exist are the attitude of the public to the questionnaire is

distributed for data collection. Which is present in this research work to prove my

hypothesis. The information given by the public may or may not be right.

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 Also the period given to complete the research work limits scope of study of this research

work.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION

1. Have you heard about child abuse?

2. Is it legal to engage in it?

3. Do you belief that societal menace is still very common in Nigeria?

4. Do you know that many school aged children engage in street hawking during school

hour?

5. Do you belief that child neglect, child labour, child sexual/physical abuse and

psychological/emotional abuse are all forms of child abuse?

6. Do you belief that substances abuse by parents/guardians could lead to child abuse?

7. Do you know that parents who are physically abuse their spouses are more likely than

others to physically abuse their children?

8. Do you know that unemployment could increase the rate of child abuse?

9. Do you know that, financial difficulties could increase the rate of child abuse?

10. Do you belief that child abuse could destroy the future of a country?

11. Do you belief that child abuse could increase the rate of social vices in the country?

12. Do you belief that exposing a child to substance abuse could destroy a child’s future?

1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS

 Child abuse: This is physically or emotional mistreatment of children

 Aggressive: Hostile or violent behavior or attitude

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 Constraint: A limitation or restriction or strict control of your self.

 Exploitation: Make use of a person or situation in an unfair way, so as to benefit

yourself.

 Jurisdiction: The official power to make legal decisions.

 Menace: A dangerous or troublesome person or thing or threatening quality.

 Passive: Accepting or allowing that happens or what other people do without

resistance.

 Pornography: Pictures, writing or films that are intended to arouse sexual

excitement.

 Stall: A stand, both or compartment where goods are sold in a market.

 Sensitizing: Make sensitive or aware

 Spouse: A husband or wife

 Criticism: The expression of disapproval.

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUCTION

Child abuse is the physical, sexual or emotional mistreatment of children. It may also be

defined as any act or series facts commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver

that result in harm, potential for harm or threat of harm to a child, according to Centre for

disease control and prevention (CDC), 2010. For a long time, child protection in general

has been perceived as a matter for the professionals specializing in social service, health,

mental health, and justice systems. However, this problem remains a duty to all, and more

so a concern for other social scientists such as anthropologists, economists, historians,

planners, political scientists, sociologists, and humanists (e.g., ethicists, legal scholars,

political theorists, and theologians) who contribute to the understanding of the concepts

of and strategies in child protection and the responsibility for adults and institutions with

roles in ensuring the safety and the humane care of children under their care. Child abuse,

therefore, is when harm or threat of harm is made to a child by someone acting in the role

of caretaker (Duhaime AC et.al,1997) It is a worldwide problem with no social, ethnic,

and racial bounds. Child abuse can be in the form of physical abuse, when the child

suffers bodily harm as a result of a deliberate attempt to hurt the child, or severe

discipline or physical punishment inappropriate to the child's age. It can be sexual abuse

arising from subjecting the child to inappropriate exposure to sexual acts or materials or

passive use of the child as sexual stimuli and/or actual sexual contacts. Child abuse can

also be in the form of emotional abuse involving coercive, constant belittling, shaming,

humiliating a child, making negative comparisons to others, frequent yelling, threatening,

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 or bullying of the child, rejecting and ignoring the child as punishment, having limited

physical contact with the child (e.g., no hugs, kisses, or other signs of affection),

exposing the child to violence or abuse of others or any other demeaning acts. All these

factors can lead to interference with the child's normal social or psychological

development leaving the child with lifelong psychological scars. Lastly, child abuse can

be in the form of child neglect, when an able caregiver fails to provide basic needs,

adequate food, clothing, hygiene, supervision shelter, supervision, medical care, or

support to the child.

Most child abuse occurs in a child’s home, with a smaller amount, occurring in the

organizations, schools or communities the child interacts with. Different jurisdictions

have developed their own definitions of what constitutes child abuse for the purpose of

removing a child from his/her family and/ or prosecuting a criminal charge according to

journal of child abuse and neglect, child abuse is any recent or failure to act on the part of

apparent or caretaker while results into death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual

abuse or exploitation, an act or failure to act while presents an imminent risk of serious

harm”. Many, however, has related child abuse and child maltreatment to mean the same.

2.2 HISTORY OF CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse research in Africa is still in its infancy and there is a paucity of data from

most African countries. Yet, globally an estimated 95 million children experience abuse

annually, with the highest rates reported in the World Health Organization (WHO)

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African region (UNICEF, 2014). Research is fairly hit or miss. The earliest study of child

sexual abuse in Africa was probably by Westcott, et al. who described 18 cases of child

sexual abuse at a Cape Town hospital back in 1984. More recently, in 2015, a South

African study reported lifetime rates of 34% for physical abuse, 16% for emotional abuse

and 20% for sexual abuse amongst 15–17 year olds (P. Burton et.al, 2015). In nearby

Swaziland, nearly one-in-five females had experienced physical abuse in their lifetime

with nearly one-in-twenty having experienced abuse that was so severe, that it required

medical attention (J. Breiding, 2013). Alarmingly, child abuse only recently received

recognition as a social problem in Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economies (N.A. Omo,

2015).

Risk factors identified for lifetime childhood physical abuse included maternal death

prior to age 13, having lived with three or more families during their childhood, and

having experienced emotional abuse prior to age 13 (J. Breiding, 2013. Data gathered by

the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) show that Ghana’s statistics with regard to

rape and defilement are so high that they rank in certain instances alongside countries that

have a recent history of violent conflict like Sierra Leone or the Democratic Republic of

Congo. Child marriage is common in West Africa and in some countries in East and

Southern Africa, especially Mozambique, Uganda and Ethiopia. There is a significant

amount of violence experienced in these early marriages and a study in Zambia from a

Demographic and Health Survey showed a 33.3% level of spousal violence

(UNICEF,2005).

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Under harmful traditional practices, female genital mutilation is another worrying trend

on the continent. Girls from a young age undergo varying forms of genital excision

leading to long term problems. The UNICEF estimates published in 2005 suggest that

three million girls in sub-Saharan African, Egypt and the Sudan suffer from genital

mutilation, with the highest prevalence in countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti,

Egypt and Sudan, as well as parts of East and West Africa (UNICEF,2005). It is practiced

almost universally among Kenyan Somalis, the Masai and a few other groups, reaching a

prevalence of 32% in Kenya as a whole (Amnesty International, 2004). About 200,000

children are trafficked annually across borders in the sub regions of West and Central

Africa, from and into countries such as Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso and

Mauritania. Ghanaian children are particularly trafficked to Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Nigeria

and the Gambia for domestic service and exploitative labour. Fishing on Lake Volta,

Ghana by children is commonplace. These children experience a high level of

maltreatment such as being forced to dive to remove trapped nets, as well as physical and

verbal abuse, and sexual harassment (E.S. Hamenoo, 2015).

In the history of the development of child abuse , the moral vices are portrayed

as moral decay, negative image, uncomplimentary attitude, and immoral

disposition of Nigerians towards children. The high rate of unemployment,

poverty, corruption and insensitivity of government gave rise to increased anomie. The

culturally approved goals became meaningless as the political leadership is

characterized by large scale fraud, corruption, exploitation, selfishness, avarice and

20
other forms of bad image which had dangerously deteriorated the moral life of the

people. Lawed (2012) is of the view that life expectancy seems to be decreasing

because people’s life are being disposed off cheaply through different means such

as armed robbers, hired assassins, kidnappings and death traps on most of our high

ways.

In the Nigerian, child abuse could be traced back to the days of our forefathers where

their purpose of going into polygamous marriage is to bear many children, who could

help in their farming activities. A man may have up to twenty-five (25) children with the

sole aim of using them as labour during planting, harvesting and processing of crops.

Such children are not allowed to go to school to acquire education and this in turn leads

to poor and failing society.

In modern day, this societal menace is skill very much common, many school-aged

children engage in street hawking during school hour to make ends – meet for their

parents/guardians it is very common to see children selling items around Agura-Gberigbe

market even in traffic. Child labour and child trafficking are now a national tragedy for

the Nigerian society. This issue does not just erupt overnight. It is the end product of the

decision of our fore father to arise labour for their farming activities thereby going into

polygamy and given birth to large number of children more than they can cater for this

has led to a generation of people who does not see anything reasonable in protecting

child’s right because they were also brought up the same way.

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 However, a thirteen-century English law state that “if one beats a child until he bleeds, it

will remember, but if one beats it is death, the law applies”. (Albredit perper, chronic

derkinder herkundem Leipzig Germany – Georg Thieme, 1966).

2.3 DEVELOPMENT OF CHILD ABUSE

Awareness of the risks associated with unguided upbringing could be linked to

young people being or receiving information about being abused and about help they can

receive from social network or protective agencies. It must be noted that girl and boy

child do not truly have the freedom to refuse or give their consent in a truly independent

manner. Keeping the various child abuse secret has fuelled and sustained its

development. Some families would collect a token sum of money, especially in

sexually abuses case and there the case closes. People have attributed the foregoing

largely to poverty and under-development. The various large scale risks are ignored or

undermined. It is an obvious fact that some parents and guarding use children for

financial exploitation. This is despite societal strides in reducing the handicapping

conditions that promoted child abuse and neglect. Onyekachi Benjamin (personal

communication, 4-3-2020) is ofthe view that this is not because there are shortages of

resources for improved standard of living. It is neither because efforts have not

been made to utilize the resources or even pool more resources to liberate people

from the grip poverty. The question which does not seem to have been answered is

how child abuse and neglect develop to its alarming state. The development of child

abuse and neglect started since the pre-historic period asone school of thought says that

man is a rebellious pronebeing. The magnitude or the tempo of the evil, bad, immoral

22
and condemnable actions became more pronounced during and after the Nigeria-Biafra

civil war (1966-1970).

Child abuse ranges from a lot of different things typically it is defined as a recent act or

the failure to act of the parent or the caretaker which can result in the child’s death,

serious physical or emotional injury, sexual abuse or exploitation or even the act of

failure in the parents part which may end in serious harm. (“Child abuse”, 2012). Usually

each state has their own definitions when it comes to child abuse, but for the most part

they all recognize four major types of child maltreatment. These types are physical abuse,

neglect, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. Physical abuse can be defined as a non-

accidental physical injury as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking,

throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting, burning, or in any way harming a child by a parent

or any person who has responsibility for the child. (“Child abuse”, 2012). Any injury like

this is considered abuse regardless if the parent did not mean to hurt the child. As you can

see this may be the type of child abuse that occurs the most often because it may all start

by trying to discipline a child at it can all just carry over to more than just discipline.

Neglect would be the failure of the parent or caregiver to provide for a child’s basic

needs. It can fall under certain categories such as physical, medical, educational, or

emotional. (“Child abuse”, 2012). Neglect could range from a parent not providing food

or shelter not giving the child medical attention if necessary, failing to educate a child or

attending to the child’s emotional needs. Sexual abuse can include such activities by a

parent such as fondling a child’s genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy indecent

exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic

materials. (“Child abuse”, 2012). This may be the second most common type of child

23
abuse known. A lot of people may think that they may get away with it because the child

may still be really young to notice that it’s not a normal action of the parent. Emotional

abuse is a behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth.

This may include constant criticism, threats or rejection as well as withholding love,

support, or guidance. (“Child abuse”, 2012). Even though it’s still a severe part of child

abuse it’s difficult to prove but emotional abuse will more than likely be present when

any other form of child abuse is identified. These four types of child abuse are the things

that would define child abuse at its best. Some people may not think much of some of the

things stated above but these are really serious things that can land one in a lot of trouble.

In the pre-colonial era child abuse issues came in form of inter-tribal and ethnic

skirmishes, killing of twins, slavery and burial of kings with human beings

especially their slaves. The proliferation of arms, unemployment, hunger, poverty,

diseases and lack of shelter led many people including youth into child abuse like

prostitution, rape,incest, armed robbery, stealing, and slavery. The process of

rehabilitating, rebuilding and transforming Nnewi in particular and Nigeria in general

was not easy. The civil war negatively affected the value system and greatly compounded

the development, progress or backwardness of south. In eastern states the principle of

right and wrong behavior which affected a number of people in a particular place,

time and situation,explained the development of child abuse. The government

takeover of schools from the missionaries did not help the teaching of moral

24
 instruction, religious education and moral education, the implication of which was

the development of child abuse.

2.4 TYPES OF CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse can take several forms but for this research, I shall consider the following.

i. Child Neglect

ii. Child sexual abuse

iii. Physical abuse

iv. Psychological/emotional abuse

v. Child labour

I. CHILD NEGLECT

This is where the responsible adult fails to provide adequately for various needs including

physical (failure to provide nurturing or affection), educational (failure to enroll a child in

school), or medical (failure to medicate the child or take him/her to the doctor).

II. CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

This is when an adult or older adolescent abuse a child for sexual stimulation. This many

include asking or pressuring a to engage in sexual activities (regardless of the outcome),

indecent exposure of the genitals to a child, displaying pornography to a child, actual

sexual contact against a child, physical contact with the child’s genitals, viewing of the

child’s genitals without physical contact or using a child to produce child pornography.

25
 The implications of child sexual abuse include depression, post traumatic stress disorders,

anxiety, and propensity to re-victimization of adulthood and physical damage or injury to

the child, among other problems. Many parents/guardians nowadays are now found of

having sexual intercourse with their children, sexual abuse by a family member is a form

of incent and can result to more serious and long-term psychological trauma, especially in

the case of parental incest. Child sexual abuse is also strongly connected to the

development of addictive behaviors complex post traumatic stress disorder and border

line personally disorder. Most sexual abuse offenders are acquainted with their victims,

approximately 30% are relative of the child, most often brothers, mothers, uncles or

cousins, around 60% are other acquaintances such as friends of the family, baby sitters or

Neighbor, strangers are the offenders in approximately 10% of child sexual abuses cases.

Approximately one in four children experience child abuse or neglect in their lifetime. Of

maltreated children, 18 percent are abused physically, 78 percent are neglected, and 9

percent are abused sexually. The fatality rate for child maltreatment is 2.2 per 1000

children annually, making homicide the second leading cause of death in children

younger than age one. Exposure to violence during childhood can have lifelong health

consequences, including poor physical, emotional, and mental health. Prevention,

diagnosis, and treatment of physical child abuse is key to the mitigation of adverse health

outcomes.

III. PHYSICAL ABUSE

Child physical abuse is when a person purposely physically injures or puts at risk of harm

a child. It is not an accident, but a result of unreasonably severe or unjustifiable

26
 punishment, often motivated by frustration or anger. Some examples of physical abuse

include: hitting, beating, kicking, choking, shaking, burning, biting, or throwing a child,

or destroying a child’s property. This is physical aggression directed at a child by an

adult. It involves kicking, shoring, slapping, bruising, putting ears or hair and so on. This

may cause temporary or permanent damage to the child’s body. Most nations with

effective child abuse law consider the infliction of physical injuries or action that place

the child in obvious risk of serious injury or death to be illegal. Beyond this, there is

considerable variation, the distinction between child discipline and child abuse is often

poorly defined. Cultural norms about what constitutes abuse vary widely; among

professionals as well as the wider public, people do not agree in what constitute abuse.

For instance, the use of any kind of force against children as a disciplinary measure is

illegal in about twenty four (24) countries around the world but prevalent and socially

accepted in many others.

IV. PSYCHOLOGICAL/EMOTIONAL ABUSE

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 This include things like ridicule, degradation, destruction or personal belongings, fortune

or destruction of a pet, excessive criticism, inappropriate or excessive demands,

humiliation and so on which any impair or constitute a negative impact on the emotional

well-being of a child. This is very common in Agura-Gberigbe area where the

psychological reputation of a child is given little or no attention.

Victims of emotional abuse may react by distancing themselves from the abuser,

internalizing the abusive world or fighting back by insulting the abuser. Emotional abuse

can result in abnormal or disrupted attachment disorder, a tendency for victims to blame

themselves for the abuse, leaned helplessness and overly passive behaviors.

V. CHILD LABOUR

This is probably the most popular abuse of children in Agura-Gberigbe. This child is

made to get entangled in buying and selling activities to make money for their

parent/guardian or for themselves some children labour to pay their fees in school and to

purchase their educational materials. It is not uncommon to see children hawking during

28
 school hours. Some even hawk very early in the morning to make little money before

going to school.

Many children died in the process of trying to sell items in night hours during traffic

hold-up. Many others suffered physical injury which could be temporal or permanent.

The Lagos State Government however, came out with a law against this abuse but people

still violate the law.

2.4 CHILD ABUSE IN AFRICA

Child abuse research in Africa is still in its infancy and there is a paucity of data from most

African countries. Yet, globally an estimated 95 million children experience abuse annually, with

the highest rates reported in the World Health Organization (WHO) African region. Research is

fairly hit or miss. The earliest study of child sexual abuse in Africa was probably by Westcott, et

al. who described 18 cases of child sexual abuse at a Cape Town hospital back in 1984. More

recently, in 2015, a South African study reported lifetime rates of 34% for physical abuse, 16%

for emotional abuse and 20% for sexual abuse amongst 15–17 year olds. In nearby Swaziland,

nearly one-in-five females had experienced physical abuse in their lifetime with nearly one-in

twenty having experienced abuse that was so severe, that it required medical attention.

Alarmingly, child abuse only recently received recognition as a social problem in Nigeria, one of

Africa’s largest economies. Risk factors identified for lifetime childhood physical abuse included

29
maternal death prior to age 13, having lived with three or more families during their childhood,

and having experienced emotional abuse prior to age 13. Data gathered by the United Nations

Children's Fund (UNICEF) show that Ghana’s statistics with regard to rape and defilement are so

high that they rank in certain instances alongside countries that have a recent history of violent

conflict like Sierra Leone or the Democratic Republic of Congo. Child marriage is common in

West Africa and in some countries in East and Southern Africa, especially Mozambique, Uganda

and Ethiopia. There is a significant amount of violence experienced in these early marriages and

a study in Zambia from a Demographic and Health Survey showed a 33.3% level of spousal

violence. Under harmful traditional practices, female genital mutilation is another worrying trend

on the continent. Girls from a young age undergo varying forms of genital excision leading to

long term problems. The UNICEF estimates published in 2005 suggest that three million girls in

sub-Saharan African, Egypt and the Sudan suffer from genital mutilation, with the highest

prevalence in countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Egypt and Sudan, as well as parts of

East and West Africa. It is practiced almost universally among Kenyan Somalis, the Masai and a

few other groups, reaching a prevalence of 32% in Kenya as a whole. About 200,000 children

are trafficked annually across borders in the sub regions of West and Central Africa, from and

into countries such as Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso and Mauritania. Ghanaian

children are particularly trafficked to Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Nigeria and the Gambia for domestic

service and exploitative labour. Fishing on Lake Volta, Ghana by children is commonplace.

These children experience a high level of maltreatment such as being forced to dive to remove

trapped nets, as well as physical and verbal abuse, and sexual harassment.

30
2.5 CAUSES OF CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse is a complex phenomenon with multiple causes understanding the causes of

abuse is crucial to addressing the problem of child abuse. Parent who physically abuse

their spouse are more likely than others to physically abuse their children.

There are many factors associated with child abuse some may be that now a days so

many parents are having kids at a young age that they themselves are really

inexperienced with parenthood. Another factor may be that parents end up getting

divorces which in many cases can end up stressing a lot of them with problems such as

economic stability and may cause them to take it out on the child. Poor families are

particularly likely to be subject to public scrutiny and thus to official reports of child

abuse and neglect. (Baumrind, 1994, p.360). This shows that the economic stability of a

family can really affect the stress levels within the family and eventually lead parents to

start taking out their anger on their kids. In economically deprived populations,

temperamentally difficult children are much more likely to be selected as targets of

parental maltreatment. (Baumrind, 1994, p.361). Some parents end up responding to

economic loss with a sense of helplessness which can be associated with physical and

verbal abuse. Economic loss can be related to an extent that child abuse is a response to

stress and a sense of helplessness because the parents are unable to provide. Other causes

of child abuse may be the way some families raise their kids when it comes to inflicting

behavior punishments. Even though some people may consider some of these things

abusive some cultures may find them fine. Even if some families may find some of these

practices fine it’s still wrong because of the abusive behavior they show. Strict discipline

31
 and the use of corporal punishment do not per se constitute child abuse. (Baumrind, 1994,

p.362).

Substance abuse can be a major contributing factor to child abuse. A recent study by a

non-governmental organization (NGO) reveals that parents with documented substance

abuse, most commonly alcohol, cocaine and heroine were much more likely to mistreat

their children. Many of such substance abusers are often found in sexual abuse of their

children.

Unemployment and financial difficulties are also associated with increased rates of child

abuse. This is major problem of many Nigerian nationals.

2.6 CONSEQUENCES OF CHILD ABUSE

The consequences of child abuse are devastating for decades in the society. Experts in the

field have described the effects in terms of physical, psychological, cognitive and

behavioral development of the affected children.

Possible consequences about child abuse may all depend to the laws of the state where

these things are happening. The consequences may range from the person committing

child abuse going to jail. Another consequence may also be that the government may take

away the child from the parent. Those are just some things that can happen to the parent,

but the true victim is the child. Physical consequences may range from minor bruises and

cut to severe injuries such as broken bones or even death.

Psychological consequences may be things like isolation, fear and inability to trust

someone in the future. (“Child abuse”, 2012). A lot of these consequences can eventually

turn into life time things which can really harm a child when they start becoming adults it

32
can lead them to have problems with depression and difficulty maintain relationships

with anyone.

The consequences of child abuse affect not only the victims themselves but also the

society in which they live. More to this reality is that many complexities challenge our

understanding of not only factors but relationships that mitigate the

consequences of abusive experiences in Agura Gberigbe. The majority of children

who are abused do not seem to show signs of extreme disturbance. Low intelligence is

a consequence of abusive experience in the early childhood. In recent years, much

attention has been devoted to the consequences of child sexual abuse especially

the adult sexual behavior of the victim. It is noted that less attention has been

given to the short and long-term consequences of child maltreatment.

 PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES

This is another abuse children face ,and the society in general. Psychological

effects entailchronic low self-esteem to severe dissociative states. Firstly,

children are leaders of tomorrow and tend to destroy their lives physically,

emotionally and characterized wise is tend to destroy the future of the country.

Apart from physical damage and emotional effect of child abuse it can also turn

the child liability in the society. Many potential future leaders are now thugs and

robbers in the society due to early exposure to substances like cigarettes, Indian

hemps etc. some are involved in sexual immoralities and have lost their focus for

33
 the future. Beyond this, there is a strong feeling that certain signs of severe

neglect such as when a child experiences dehydration, diarrhea or malnutrition

without receiving appropriate care may lead to developmental delays,

attention deficits, poorer social skills, and less emotional stability. Studies

carried out by Cicchetti (1989), Cicchetti and Barnett(1991),and Critenden and

Ainsworth (1989) indicate in strong terms that deficiencies in the development of

stable characters are traceable to early child abuse. In addition, it was discovered

that children who had been maltreated exhibited changes in genes associated with

various physical and psychological disorders, such as cancers, cardiovascular

disease, immune disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

 MEDICAL EFFECT

Physical abuse in the infants and young children, according to Dykes (1986), can

lead to brain dysfunction and sometimes death. A child does not need to be struck

on the head to sustain brain injuries. Dykes (1986) says that infants who are

shaken vigorously to the extrememay sustain intracranial and intraocular bleeding

with no sign of external head trauma. It is observed that early neglectful and

physically abusive practices have increased the negative effects for these small

victims. Even after diagnosis and treatment, the psychological effect of emotional

neglect persists. Polansky, Chalmers, Buttenwieserand Williams (1981) are of

the view that young adolescents who in their infancy were diagnosed as

failure to thrive were defiant and hostile. Factors that trigger nonorganic failure

to thrive and child neglect should be separated from factors that maintain these

34
 behaviors. Abuse and neglect may result in serious health problems or

challenges and according to Elmer and Gregg(1967)that can adversely

affect children’s development and result in irremediable lasting effect.

Green, Gaines and Sandgrund (1974)are among the early scholars on physically

abused children who documented significant neuromotor handicaps. Martin,

Beezley Conway and Kempe (1974) included central nervous system damage,

physical defects, growth and mental retardation and serious speech problem.

The above are serious indications of issues of great public health importance in

the society. Morse, Sahier and Friedman (1970) contend that physically abused

children have been found to have more mild neurologic signs, serious

physical injuries, skin markings and scars than their non-abused peers.

Kolko, Moser and Weldy (1990) are of the view that children who have been

sexually abused, and some children who have been physically neglected

have shown heightened sexuality and signs of genital manipulation. Then

above serious biological effect of child and adolescent sexual abuse is the risk of

sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including Staph, Human Immuno-

deficiency Virus (HIV), Gonorrhea and Syphilis.

 PHYSICAL EFFECT

There are a number of physical effect of child abuse. Evidence abounds

that physical effect of child abuse range, according to Onyekachi Benjamin

35
 (Personal communication, 4-3-2020) from minor injuries like lacerations,

incisions, to severe brain damage and even death.

 BEHAVIOURAL EFFECT

Child abuse manifest in the behaviours of the victims. According to Dike

Obasi (personal communication, 2-9-2019) the effects of child abuse range

from poor peer relationship all the way to extraordinary violent

behaviors, like bad temperament, antagonism, absent mindedness, hostility,

and others. Cognitive Effects The cognitive effects of abuse according to

clinician Onuigbo Nze personal communication (15-08-2019) range from

attention problems and learning disorders to severe organic brain

syndromes. A number of recent findings by Augustinos and Azar

(1987),Barnes and Twenty man (1988),show that cognitive and language deficits

in abused children have been noted clinically. Similarly, Fantuzzo (1990)

believes that abused and neglected children with no evidence of neurological

impairment have also shown delayed intellectual development especially in

the area of verbal intelligence. Shading more light on cognitive effects of abuse,

Hoffman–Plotkin and Twentyman (1984),and Perry, Doran and Wells (1983)

found towered intellectual functioning and reduced cognitive functioning in

abused children. Others are struggling to establish differences in intellectual

and cognitive functioning, language skills, or verbal ability. Eckenvode, Laird

and Doris (1991) identified problematic school performance among abused

children to include low grades, poor standardized test scores.

36
2.6 CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION IN AFRICA

There are fairly little reliable information on child abuse for most African populations.

The family and community as the base units of child protection are crucial, and there is an urgent

need to build community capacity to protect children, rather than rely on health or legal services.

The communal nature of most societies means the main actors like customary chiefs and queen

mothers, women’s groups and community health workers play an important role for the welfare

of children. Paediatricians and family physicians see daily evidence of unhelpful parenting and

yet largely remain silent on the issue. Advocacy on good parenting and awareness-raising on

child protection should be taken up by paediatric associations across Africa and involve national

leaders and opinion leaders in the community. A comprehensive system for regular data

collection and information sharing between agencies working in child protection should be

mandatory. Most health institutions in Africa have well established structures for collecting

routine data but oddly child protection data is not captured. This remains a key reason why

specific data on child violence, abuse and exploitation is lacking on the continent. Governments

should be specifically lobbied to include child protection data. Harmful cultural practices should

be confronted by the full force of the law. Child marriage for instance and female genital

mutilation are against the law in most countries that have ratified the United Nations Convention

on the Rights of the Child. As breaches of national law, sanctions must be applied by

Governments. Africa still has a long way to go regarding entrenched, harmful, cultural practices.

37
One potential solution for rural districts in resource poor countries can include so-called “Child

Panels”. These are made up of representatives from both government and traditional institutions

to deal with cases that are not serious enough to go to courts like the Circuit or High courts.

Family Tribunals and Juvenile Court Panels can be set up in a similar way. At the community

level, local protection systems should ideally be fully owned and led by community members

elected through representative processes. It should be noted that the vast majority of services

which exist in communities to deal with child protection cases (e.g. religious, educational,

administrative, health and police bodies) are general community structures rather than

specialised services for children who have been harmed. As a result, children in need of such a

service are less likely to know of their existence. That said, most countries in resource limited

settings are likely better off exploiting the most prevalent existing community-level services

(such as churches, mosques, teachers, traditional leaders and District Assembly persons) through

targeted awareness, sensitisation and capacity building work to improve the confidence of

community members to approach them. Community-based child protection bodies can encourage

open discussion of violence against children in communities and can identify services and

persons whom children trust in the schools, institutions, villages and police stations to safely and

confidentially report and talk with. At the hospital level, creating specific guidance, and setting

up designated child friendly areas should be encouraged (such as the one set up at Korle bu

Hospital in Ghana in 2009).

38
 CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

This chapter explains the methodology that was used in carrying out the research work. It

presents and clarifies all the details of the procedures followed in conducting the study. Several

articles, thesis and research works where utilized in order to gather information and conducted

sampling in order to acquire the data required for this study.

3.1. Area Of Study

Agura-Gberigbe community is a small geographical location within Ikorodu local

government of Ikorodu Central LGA, Lagos State. Ikorodu is a city in Lagos State, Nigeria. It is

located to the north-east of Lagos, along the Lagos Lagoon and shares boundary with Ogun

State. With a population of over 1million inhabitant, Ikorodu is currently the 12 largest city in

Nigeria and growing at a rate of 5.26% annually, it is projected to reach 1.7 million inhabitant by

2035,It is the largest local government in Lagos State. Indigenous settlers of Ikorodu emigrated

from Sagamu in Ogun state.

Geography and economy

Situated approximately 37 km north of Lagos, Ikorodu is bounded to the south by the Lagos

Lagoon, to the north by a boundary with Ogun State, and to the east by a boundary with

Agbowa-Ikosi, a town in Epe Division of Lagos State. The town has grown significantly in the

39
past 40 years and is divided into sixteen or seventeen "Ituns" or minor areas. The main industries

in the town are trading, farming and manufacturing. Ijebu dialect is widely spoken in ikorodu.

Nearby major towns include Imota, Isiu, Liadi, Egbin, Ijede, Igbogbo and Bayeku, all of which

constitute their own Local Council Development Area with their own traditional rulers (Obas).

Together these areas make up Ikorodu Division.

Ikorodu Division has a large industrial area containing several factories. The town of Ikorodu

itself is home to branches of several established Nigerian banks.

Ikorodu is the fastest growing part-exurb of Lagos metropolis, owing in part to increasing influx

of people from Ikorodu's surrounding towns and villages attracted by the town's proximity to

Lagos.

In 2003, the existing Ikorodu LGAs was split for administrative purposes into Local Council

Development Areas. These lower-tier administrative units now number 6: Imota,

Igbogbo/Bayeku, Ijede, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West, Ikorodu.

Economy

Imota rice mill

The Imota rice mill is an agricultural plant. It was built in 2021 and will commence full

production in the second quarter of 2022.

40
Capacity

The rice mill has a capacity to produce 2.8 million bags of 50 kg bags of rice yearly, while

generating 1,500 direct jobs and 254,000 indirect jobs. On completion, in line with the estimated

installed infrastructure of the facility, the production capacity of the rice mill in Imota will set it

among the largest in the world, and the largest in sub-Saharan Africa.

Economic effect

According to Lagos State governor Sanwo-Olu, full production of the facility will drastically

reduce prices of rice and pressure to purchase the commodity. At this moment (early 2022)

Nigeria produces husk rice, yet imports hulled/polished rice at a higher price. Processing the

national staple food rice in its own country therefore should improve Nigeria's trade balance.

Technical process

In a rice mill, primarily the cereals spelt, barley, oats, millet and rice are hulled, i.e. the husks

that are firmly attached to the grain and do not fall off during threshing are removed (dehusking).

The husks are indigestible for the human organism and would negatively influence the taste and

chewing sensations. Furthermore, in a rice mill, the hulled cereal grains are usually also

subsequently rolled (oat flakes), cut (groats) or polished (rice, rolled barley). Other possible

processing steps are mostly identical to those in a grain mill.

41
Surroundings

The State Government is also developing an industrial park adjacent to the mill. Governor

Sanwo-Olu said the park would have amenities that would make businesses thrive and bring

returns on investment to business owners.

Religion

Inhabitants of Ikorodu include adherents to several religions, including Christianity, Islam, and

traditional worship.

Education

Within greater Ikorodu there are 69 public primary schools and 12 secondary schools. There are

also several private nurseries, primary and secondary schools, and two tertiary institutions.

These schools include:

 Abule Eko Community Senior Grammar School

 Caleb University, a private university located in the Imota area of the town, the

first private university in Lagos.

 De-Multilaurel comprehensive college

 De-Young Comprehensive College, Aga

 Difas Schools Odogunyan

 Edfan College

 Elepe Community Senior High School

42
 Goodswill Secondary School

 Goshen International School

 Government College Ikorodu

 Government Technical College

 Homat Group of Schools

 Holistic Secondary School

 Ipakodo Grammar School

 Ikorodu Grammar School

 Ikorodu High School

 Jamaitul Islamiyyah Pry School, lkorodu

 Lagos State Polytechnic Ikorodu.

 Lagos State Civil Service Model College, Igbogbo

 Linksbond College, Ikorodu

 Livingstone College, Ikorodu

 Odogunyan Grammar School, Odogunyan, Ikorodu

 Oreyo Senior Grammar School

 Oriwu Senior Model College

 Prev Academy, Ikorodu

 Royal Le Hope International School

 Sagab college, solomade Ikorodu

 Seatos Schools, Ikorodu

 Shams-El Deen Grammar School

 Stars International College, Ikorodu

43
  Sun and Stars School, ikorodu

 Surepath College, ikorodu.

 The Laurel Hall College, Ikorodu.

 The Saints International School, Isawo, Ikorodu

 Tindip schools

 Top-ville college, Isawo, Ikorodu.

 Uncle Bayus Group of Schools

 United High School

 Xplanter Private School

 Yewa Grammar School, Aga-Ikorodu

 Zumuratul islamiyyah senior grammar school

Ikorodu Divisional Library

There are several public libraries that are accessible to students, teachers, researchers and anyone

who loves to read newspaper or any material of their choice.

 Ikorodu Town hall library located at T.O.S Benson Rd.

 Laspotech library.

 Tourist centres

 Cradoo Lake Waterfront, Ipakodo and Ibeshe.

44
  Egbin Thermal Station, Egbin, largest thermal power facility in Africa [home to Lagos

Independent Power Project].

 Ijede Warm Springs

 Ikorodu Lighter Port Terminal, lpakodo

 Iledi Oshugbo Abalaiye Ikorodu: sacred groove for the installation of Ikorodu Kings

 Lagos State Polytechnic, Odogunyan, Ikorodu

 Palace of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu.

 Voice of Nigeria [VON] Transmitting Station, Ikorodu

 Dream Park Cinemas

3.2. Research Design

A descriptive case study was employed in study of analysis of the Child Abuse And Its

Complication In Agura-Gberigbe Community Of Ikorodu, Lagos-State. The researcher preferred

descriptive research design because it has an advantage of collecting original data for the purpose

of describing a population which is large to observe directly hence good for the purpose of

generalization (Cohen, Manion and Morrison, 2000).

Also , descriptive research aims to accurately and systematically describe a population, situation

or phenomenon. In addition ,the descriptive case study does not control or manipulate any of the

variables, but only observes and measures them.

45
3.3.Target Population Of Study

The target sample population to analysis of the Child Abuse And Its Complication In Agura-

Gberigbe Community Of Ikorodu, Lagos-State, focuses on the general population excluding,

children and aged citizens in the study area.

3.4. Sampling Size And Sampling Techniques

Sampling refers to the selection of a representative group from a population under study.

Considering the largeness of the area's population size, a sample was drawn to enable the study

to reach adequate number of respondents to help draw relevant conclusion.

In the case of carrying out this research , random sampling was employed. A random sampling

is a type of probability sampling in which everyone in the population has equal chance of being

selected.

3.5.Data Collection Instruments

The data collection instrument for this study were grouped into two. These are

i. primary data

ii. and secondary data.

46
Both sources of data were extensively used for the purpose of drawing conclusion for proper

analysis of the study so as to come up with objective findings.

i. PRIMARY DATA

The primary data for this study were obtained through an survey questionnaire which were

designed to enable the researcher obtain a wider detailed, reliable and up-to-date information on

the topic.

Data were collected using a pre-tested structured survey questionnaire specifically developed for

determining knowledge, attitude of community members to diagnosis of malaria.

Close/structured questionnaire was chosen over the other types as it satisfied the research needs

given that it was easy to fill out, took little time, kept the respondents focused on the subject of

study, and was fairly easy to tabulate and analyze.

Also, depending on willingness of the respondents, a face to face oral question and answer

session was carried out. However, this wasn’t regarded as the main source of data collection.

ii. SECONDARY DATA

47
The principal sources of the secondary data for this study were obtained through the review of

relevant literature or use of materials from text books, website pages and journals, newspapers

etc.

3.6. Validity And Reliability Of Research Instrument

In order to ensure that accurate information was obtained and to ensure that the

questionnaire covers the entire population, its target respondent cut across a number of different

location in the region. Also, questions set in questionnaires are questions that are straightforward

to the point, avoiding any hackneyed expressions or irrelevant question. Also the use of a

combination of open and close ended questionnaire were used in allow freedom of expression

and at the same time not lose focus on subject of study.

3.7.Data Collection Procedure

The questionnaire used included two sections. The first section elicited socio-

demographic details(age, marital status, educational level, occupation). The second part

investigated their knowledge, attitude and practice of family planning among women. Data was

then tabulated, analyzed then used to make conclusions.

3.8. Method Of Data Analysis

The data collected through questionnaire was analysed using tables and simple percentages.

48
The simple formula adopted by the researcher in the analysis is given below;

(C ÷ N) x 100 %

Where C is the number of respondents who answered “yes ” or “No”.

N represents the total number of respondents who responded.

Also, the chi square method of data analysis was also employed to test the hypothesis.

49
 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

This chapter includes the following

1. Ability to summarized data using tables and the use of appropriate statistical techniques.

2. Proper labeling of tables.

3. Answering research questions.

Table 1 shows the total numbers of questionnaire distributed and returned.

QUESTIONAIRE QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

No distributed 50 100%

No returned 50 100%

No not returned - -

Total 50 100%

The above table shows that, the 50 questionnaire distributed were returned.

Table 2 showing the age distribution of respondents

AGE (IN YEAR) QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

5-10 3 6%

10-15 15 30%

15-20 7 14%

20 and above 25 50%

Total 50 100%

50
The table above shows that majority of the respondents were adult.

Table 3 shows the sex distribution of the respondent.

SEX QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Male 20 40%

Female 30 60%

Total 50 100%

The above table indicates that the most of the respondents were female.

Table 4 this table shows the marital status of the respondent

OPTION QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Married 28 56%

Single 22 44%

Total 50 100%

51
The above table indicate, that the numbers of married people that belief in child abuse are more

than singles and they agree that it must be eradicated.

Table 5 this table indicate the religion of the respondent

RELIGION QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Muslim 21 42%

Christian 29 58%

Total 50 100%

The above table shows that most of the respondents were Christian.

Table 6 shows the educational status of the respondents

EDUCATIONAL STATUS QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Literate 15 30%

Illiterate 35 70%

Total 50 100%

This table above shows that the most of the respondents were illiterate

Table 7 showing the total numbers of respondent that have the knowledge of child abuse.

52
Have you heard about child abuse?

OPTIONS QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Yes 50 100%

No - -

Total 50 100%

This table indicate that 100% of the respondent have heard about child abuse.

Table 8 is it legal to engage in it?

OPTIONS QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Yes 20 40%

No 30 60%

Total 50 100%

This table shows that most of the respondent knew child abuse to been illegal act.

Table 9 Do you belief that social menace is still very common in Nigeria

53
OPTIONS QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Yes 27 54%

No 23 46%

Total 50 100%

The above table shows that most of the respondents believe that social menace is still very

common in Nigeria.

Table 10: Do you know that many school aged children engaged street hawking during

school hours.

OPTIONS QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Yes 35 70%

No 15 30%

Total 50 100%

The above table indicates most of the respondent knew many school aged children engage in

street hawking during school hours.

Table 11: Do you belief that child neglect, child labour, child sexual/physical abuse and

psychological/emotional abuse are all forms of child abuse.

54
OPTIONS QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Yes 41 82%

No 9 18%

50 100%

This table indicates that, most respondents agreed that child neglect, child labour, child

sexual/physical abuse and psychological/emotional abuse are all forms of child abuse.

Table 12: Do you belief that, substance abuse by parents/guardian could lead to child abuse

OPTIONS QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Yes 50 100%

No - -

Total 50 100%

The above table shows that all the 50 respondents agree substance abuse by parent/guardian

could lead to child abuse

Table 13: Do you belief that, unemployment could increase the rate of child abuse.

55
OPTIONS QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Yes 40 80%

No 10 20%

Total 50 100%

This table shows that 80% of the respondent agree that unemployment could increase the rate of

child abuse.

Table 14: Do you know that, financial difficulties could increase the rate of abuse

OPTIONS QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Yes 50 100%

No - -

Total 50 100%

This table indicates that 100%of the respondent beliefs that financial difficulties could increase

the rate of child abuse.

Table 15: Do you know that child abuse could destroy the future of a country?

56
OPTIONS QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Yes 50 100%

No - -

Total 50 100%

The table above shows that 100% of the respondents knew that child abuse could destroy the

future of a country.

Table 16: Do you belief that child abuse could increase the rate of social vices in the

country.

OPTIONS QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Yes 47 94%

No 3 6%

Total 50 100%

The above table shows that most respondents agree that child abuse could increase the rate of

social vices in the country.

Table 17: Do you belief that exposing a child to substance abuse could destroy a child’s

future.

57
OPTIONS QUANTITY PERCENTAGE

Yes 34 68%

No 16 32%

Total 50 100%

This table shows that most of the respondent beliefs that exposing a child to substance abuse

could destroy a child’s future.

CHAPTER FIVE

V.0 SUMMARY

58
 The aim of this project is to reveal the phenomenon of child abuse in the community

and it purpose is to show the causes and effect of child abuse.

The researcher strived to introduce the entire process of the study, reviewed or literature

through which the term “child abuse” was scientifically dealt with by various authors.

Questionnaire was used as the main instrument for data collection from the population

of 50 among the society.

Collection of data was analyzed and presented in tables.

V.1 RECOMMENDATION

From the feeding of the research work, the following are the recommendation made by

the researcher

1. Enforcement of street hawking edicts promulgated by Lagos State Government.

2. Regular enlightening programme by the local government in the effect of child abuse

(Health Education).

3. To enact laws giving the proper conduct against children and improving enforcement of

child’s right

4. Laws prohibiting the act of substance abuse should be encouraged.

5. The government at level should try as much as possible to provide employment

opportunity for people in the country.

5.2 SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTHER STUDY

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 Finally the researcher wishes to make this point clear that the research has not been able

to cover up to half of what the research topic entails. In the light of this, therefore I would

like to suggest that:

1. Those aspects of the topic left out (not treated) child marriage, street children, refuge and

displaced children, and child trafficking should be given consideration when further

research comes up.

2. This piece of work could be used by other/further researcher, if need be, as reference

point or source of information.

CONCLUSION

Child abuse is one of the major public health challenges currently facing most African

countries. The lack of data, and more worryingly the lack of guidelines to manage child

abuse in most emergency settings, hospitals and healthcare facilities looking after children

has created a huge gap in child protection service delivery. This trend can be reversed with

education of the public on forms of violence and the rights of children as long as

governments, along with its health sectors, social services and justice systems wake up to this

serious threat, not only to children, but of course to its future adults as well. More research on

the economic impact of child abuse such as child trafficking, child labour, commercial sexual

exploitation, the direct financial healthcare implications of abused children presenting to

healthcare providers, and how income levels and poverty impacts on child protection will go

a long way to convince Governments to resource local child protection and prevention

services.

60
I strongly belief that if all recommendation listed above are given a trial, such trial will be

convincing factor towards achieving our goal.

If the government provides job opportunity for the people in the country, parent/guardian will

have good job that will be fetching them money, thus reduce the rate of child abuse.

Finally, law guiding child’s right should be strongly adhere to by the Government and Non-

Governmental organization (NGO) to procure the right of every child in Nigeria.

61
 REFERENCES

 Akinleye Tajudeen, December 1996, street trading menace and health implication

on a community, Lagos.

 Agada Regina Owole, March 2009, factors influencing negative attitude of

employee woman toward exclusive feeding, project work, Egbe Yagba, Kogi

State.

 Baumrind, D. (1994). The social context of child maltreatment. In Family

Relations (4th ed., Vol. 43, pp. 360-368). National Council on Family Relations.

Retrieved from http://0-www.jstor.org.lib.utep.edu/stable/585365

 Baz, B., & Wang, N. (2012). Physical abuse of children: Identification,

evaluation, and management in the ED setting. (Cover story). Pediatric

Emergency Medicine Reports, 1- 91.

 Brown, R. (2012). Reporting child abuse and neglect: Who is responsible?. Policy

& Practice (19426828), 70(1), 20-23.

 Benaesidas Bhamot 116, Prem Nagar Jabalpur, 48 2001 (m.p) 2009, preventive

and social medicine k. park, 20th edition, Indian.

 Cabinum-Foeller, E., & Linzer Sr., J. (2012). Recognizing and Managing Child

Sexual Abuse. Pediatric Emergency Medicine Reports, 17(9), 105-115.

 Child abuse . (2012). Retrieved from https://www.childwelfare.gov/can/

 Ebigbo, P.O. (1989). "Situation analysis of child abuse and neglect in Nigeria:

Making use of Nigeria Daily Newspapers." Journal of African Psychology 1; 95 -

1Ol.

 Fryer, J. (1990) "Who are Abusers". USA Inc. Levi Company.

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 Hunt, R., & Walsh, K. (2011). Parents' views about child sexual abuse prevention

education: A systematic review. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 36(2),

63-76.

 "Imota rice mill to start production 2022 - Sanwo-Olu". 2021-12-10.

 Kemoli AM, Mavindu M. Child abuse: A classic case report with literature

review. Contemp Clin Dent. 2014 Apr;5(2):256-9. doi: 10.4103/0976-

237X.132380. PMID: 24963259; PMCID: PMC4067796.

 Kraizer, S. (1996) Effects of child abuse 011 children. Illinois. Levi Company.

Mba, A. I. (2002). "The problem of child abuse in Nigeria. Conference .

proceedings Pgs 79-82.

 Marion, M. (1982). Primary prevention of child abuse: The role of the family life

educator. In Family Relations (4th ed., Vol. 31, pp. 575-582). National Council on

Family Relations. Retrieved from http://0

www.jstor.org.lib.utep.edu/stable/583935

 Miller. J. L. (2000). "A review of the long-term effects of child sexual abuse".

Child Abuse and Neglect. 16, 101 - 118.

 Mullen, P. and Fleming, J. (1998) "Long - term effects of child abuse". Issues in

Child Abuse Prevention. No. 9. 1-25.

 Newton, C. J. (2001) "Child abuse": An overview. Therapist Finder.net Mental

Health Journal http://www.therapistfinder.net/child-abuse

 Stahler, G. J., DuCette, J. P., & Povich, E. (1990). Using mediation to prevent

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pp. 317-322). National Council on Family Relations.

63
 LAGOS STATE COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY

8, HARVEY ROAD, YABA, LAGOS.

COMMUNITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Research Questionnaire

Dear respondents,

I am a final year student of above named institution carrying out a research work in child abuse

and its implications in Agura-Gberigbe community of Ikorodu Central Lagos.

This question is purely for academic purpose and information supplied will be handled

confidentally

NAME

Researcher

Instruction: Please tick in the space ( ) provided against your answer and specify where

necessary.

Section A

1. Name: ____________________________________________

2. Address: __________________________________________

3. Sex: Male female

4. Age: 5-10 10-15 20 and above

5. Religion: Christian Muslim

64
 6. Marital status: Married single

7. Educational status: illiterate literate

Section B

1. Have you heard about child abuse? Yes No

2. It is legal to engage in it? Yes No

3. Do you belief that societal menace is still very common in Nigeria?

Yes No

4. Do you know that many school aged children engage in street hawking during school hour?

Yes No

5. Do you belief that child neglect, child labour, child sexual/physical abuse and

psychological/emotional abuse are all form of child abuse?

Yes No

6. Do you belief that substance abuse by parents/guardians could lead to child abuse? Yes

No

7. Do you know that parents who physically abuse their spouses are more likely than others to

physically abuse their children?

Yes No

8. Do you belief that unemployment could increase the rate of child abuse?

Yes No

9. Do you belief that financial difficulties could increase the rate?

Yes No

10. Do you belief that child abuse could destroy the future of a country?

65
 Yes No

11. Do you belief that child abuse could increase the rate of social vices in the country? Yes

No

12. Do you belief that exposing a child to substance abuse could destroy a child’s future? Yes

No

66