Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa and among the 15 most populous in the world. There are approximately 250 ethnic groups in the country, the major ones being Yoruba, Hausa/Fulani and Igbo. Nigeria is a society in transition. Its traditional institutions and normative patterns are being altered by urbanization and industrialization. Perhaps the most vulnerable subgroup in Nigerian society today is adolescent girls. Recent reports have show that adolescent girls living in overcrowded urban areas are often at high risk for sexual abuse, increasing their vulnerability to early pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS. This ongoing study aims to document the extent, nature and the factors accounting for child sexual abuse in urban Nigeria and to train Nigerian students, particularly women, in the use of relevant research methodologies. To understand the salient cultural norms and moral contexts, 36 key informants (6 traditional healers, 5 chiefs, 9 clergy and traditional religious leaders, 8 midwives, and 8 central members of the community) from the three major ethnic groups were interviewed in-depth. Interviews were conducted by Nigerian students subsequent to their participation an international training seminar in Ibadan, developed specifically for this project. Key informant interview data revealed systematic differences according to type of key informant in both how sexual abuse was defined and the perception of frequency of occurrence of sexual abuse within the community. Wide, but less systematic variation was found in perception of who was to blame and how sexual abuse of adolescent girls could be prevented.
Learning Objectives: Recognize issues that adolescent girls face in urban African countries Identify the main ethnic groups in Nigeria Understand major cultural barriers to changes in traditional practices in Nigeria
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Sexual Assault
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.