EXPERIENCE OF CHILD ABUSE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL

STUDENTS IN BAPTIST HIGH SCHOOL, EDE, OSUN STATE,

NIGERIA

Omoge O. Adeyemi, Godfrey G. Sally, Obi – Obasi S. Chiamaka, Eweka A. Oghogho

Amos J. Rimamfatem

Department of Public Health, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

omogeadeyemi@[Link]

ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Child abuse is a major social problem in the world millions of children
are being forced to work on extremely difficult circumstances of exploitation which affect
their physical mental developments. In school-aged children, subtle clinical manifestation
may include sudden onset of anxiety, fear, depression, insomnia, hysteria and sudden massive
weights loss, or weight gain, school failure, truancy or running away. As children grow older
we find more serious delinquency accompanied by self-esteem.

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to gain an understanding on the experience of
child abuse among secondary school students in Ede, Osun State.

METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive cross – sectional study. A multistage sampling

method was adopted in administering the questionnaire to the secondary school students in
Ede, Osun state. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.

RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 16.12 + 1.21 years, 74% were aged 16 –
20 years, 60% were females, 74% were Muslims, 76% of the respondents have been slapped
on the face or head, 62% have experienced hitting by throwing object at them, 54% reported
that they have been hit with a close punch, 76% have been insulted and 66% said they have
been called hurtful names.

CONCLUSION: Child abuse as discussed has serious implications on the educational

system in Nigeria. It presents a serious draw back on the child educational development and
thus hinders societal growth and development. The problem of child abuse in the education
system requires adequate and efficient handling in order to improve educational development.

Keywords: Experience, Child, Abuse

INTRODUCTION
According to the World health organization report on the consultation on child abuse and
prevention (1999) “Child abuse or maltreatment constitutes all forms of physical and/or
emotional ill treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other
exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development
or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power”. Furthermore,
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act CAPTA (1974) defines child abuse and neglect
as “any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death,
serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, or an act or failure to act
which presents an imminent risk of serious harm”. Child abuse is a major social problem in
the world millions of children are being forced to work on extremely difficult circumstances
of exploitation which affect their physical mental developments. Child abuse generally is
human originated acts of commission or omission and human created or tolerated conditions
to inhibit or preclude the development of inherent potentials of children. Child abuse is a
serious global problem that is deeply rooted in cultural, economic and social practices and
occurs in a variety of ways and places.

According to International Labour Organization (2012) estimated that about 250 million
children between the ages of 5 and 14 are abuse, mostly in developing countries. Almost half
are sexually abuse all around the world. According to the world health organization (WHO,
2013), there were an estimated 57,000 deaths attributed to homicide among children less than
15 years of age in 2013. Global estimations of homicide suggest that infants and very young
children are at greatest risk with rate for the 0 – 4 year old age group more than double those
of 5 – 14 years old. According to a UNICEF report ( 2012) approximately 40% of the total
child population under the age of 5years suffered malnutrition, 63% between 7year to 16year
stunted growth anaemic and underweight and infant mortality rate is 81%. Poor conditions
extend to the education sector too. Children without official identity are more vulnerable to
abuse and exploitation. Another report indicated almost 1,549 case of sexual abuse reported
in the year 2013 representing a rate of four case per day and 1,184 girls were sexually by the
end of 2009 (SPARC, 2013).

In Nigeria in (2012) it was estimated that fifteen million children are abuse in Nigeria with
40% are physically abuse, psychologically and sexually abuse according to International
Labour Organization (ILO, 2004). It is evident that child abuse is a serious global problem
that is deeply rooted in cultural, economic and social practices and occurs in a variety of
ways and places. According to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System
(NCANDA, 2006) reported by Gelles (2009) in the United States for instance, more than
900,000 children suffer severe or life threatening injury and some (1,000 to 2,000) children
die as a result of abuse and those who survive often suffer emotional trauma that may take
long for the bruises to be healed.

METHODS
Study area
The study was carried out in Ede, Osun State. Ede is one of the Local Government Area in
Osun State located in the south – west part of Nigeria and the indigenes are Yoruba language
speaking. It lies along the Osun River at a point on the railroad from Lagos, 112 miles
(80km) southwest, and at the intercession road from Osogbo, Ogbomosho and Ife. Ede is one
of the older towns of the Yoruba people. Ede is predominantly Muslim town with about 90%
of the population. Ede is well known as a Hospitable Land.

Study population
The study population comprises of the Adventist High School Students in the Community of
Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

Study design and sampling

A cross – sectional descriptive method was adopted. A multistage sampling method was used
in selecting the targeted population. The sample was drawn from the total population of fifty
(50) students in the Senior Secondary School Class Two (SS2).

Data collection and analysis methods

Information was collected using self – administered questionnaire. Questionnaire was
pretested and used to collect data from the sample of population. The questionnaire
comprised of questions on Socio – Demographic Information, Physical, Emotional, Sexual
Abuse and Neglect. The responses of the respondents were analyzed using Statistical Package
for Service Solutions (SPSS) Version 21.
RESULTS
Table 1: Socio – Demographic Characteristics of the respondents (n=50)
Variables Frequency (%)
11 – 15 13 (26%)
Age (years) 16 – 20 37 (74%)
Mean+Std = 16.12 + 1.21 years
Male 20 (40%)
Sex Female 30 (60%)
Class Grade 2/SSII 50 (100%)
Christianity 13 (26%)
Religion Islam 37 (74%)
Tribe Yoruba 50 (100%)
Family type Monogamy 21 (42%)
Polygamy 18 (36%)
Single parents 11 (22%)

Table 2: Physical Abuse (n=50)

S/N Characteristics Yes No
Has anyone ever:
1. Slapped you on face or head? 38 (76%) 12 (24%)
2. Pulled hair? 20 (40%) 30 (60%)
3. Hit by throwing object at you? 31 (62%) 19 (38%)
4. Hit you with closed fist/punch? 27 (54%) 23 (46%)
5. Kicked you? 19 (38%) 31 (62%)
6. Forced you to eat something against your wish? 16 (32%) 34 (68%)
7. Choked you? 18 (36%) 32 (64%)
8. Cut with sharp item? 7 (14%) 43 (86%)

Table 3: Emotional Abuse (n=50)

S/N Characteristics Yes No
Has anyone ever:
1. Sworn to you? 24 (48%) 26 (52%)
2. Insult/shout at you? 38 (76%) 12 (24%)
3. Call hurtful names? 33 (66%) 17 (34%)
4. Hurt on health issues? 17 (34%) 33 (66%)
5. Made you feel stupid/foolish? 26 (52%) 24 (48%)
6. Isolated you? 17 (34%) 33 (66%)
7. Embarrassed you as been poor? 16 (32%) 34 (68%)
Table 4: Perceptions of Malaria in Pregnancy (n=50)
S/N Characteristics Yes No
Has anyone ever:
1. Touched you sexually? 9 (18%) 41 (82%)
2. Kissed you against your wish? 7 (14%) 43 (86%)
3. Given you money to do sexual things? 3 (6%) 47 (94%)
4. Made you touch their private parts? 5 (10%) 45 (90%)
5. Touched your own private parts/breasts? 7 (14%) 43 (86%)
6. Forced you to have sex? 3 (6%) 47 (94%)
7. Shown you sexual pictures? 7 (14%) 43 (86%)
8. Made you undress against your wish? 5 (10%) 45 (90%)

Table 5: Neglect (n = 50)

S/N Characteristics Yes No
Has anyone ever:
1. Denied you of food? 22 (44%) 28 (56%)
2. Refused to cater for your whereabouts? 17 (34%) 33 (66%)
3. Refused to take care of you when you are sick? 9 (18%) 41 (82%)
4. Refused to buy you clothes to wear? 17 (34%) 33 (66%)
5. Refused to cater about you? 13 (26%) 37 (74%)
6. Refused to provide for your needs? 19 (38%) 31 (62%)
7. Refused to cater about your personal hygiene? 10 (20%) 40 (80%)
8. Not given adequate attention and supervision? 20 (40%) 30 (60%)

DISCUSSION

Socio – Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents

The respondents’ ages were between 11 – 20 years and their mean age was 16.12 +
1.21years. 37 (74%) were between 16 – 20 years, 30 (60%) were females, 50 (100%) were in
Senior Secondary School Two (SS2), 37 (74%) were Muslims, all the respondents 50 (100%)
were Yoruba and 21 (42%) of the respondents came from monogamous family.

Physical Abuse
38 (76%) of the respondents reported that they have been slapped on face or head, 31 (62%)
have once been hit by objects thrown at them, and 27 (54%) said they have been hit with a
close fist.
Emotional Abuse
Of the 50 respondents, 38 (76%) have been insulted or shouted at, 33 (66%) have been called
hurtful names, 26 (52%) have been

Sexual Abuse
9 (18%) have been touched sexually, 3 (6%0 have been given money to do sexual things, 7
(14%) have been shown sexual pictures and 3 (6%) of the respondents have been forced to
have sex.

Neglect
22 (44%) have been denied food, 13 (26%) have been refused to be cater for, 17 (34%) have
been refused to buy clothes for and 20 (40%) have not been given adequate attention.

CONCLUSION
This study therefore concluded that there are various forms of child abuse ranging from
physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglects that the students in Adventist
High School, Ede, Osun State had experienced in the time past and till the time this research
was conducted. With Ede community moving rapidly towards urbanization, there is a
widespread recognition that the level of child abuse reported has increased. It is crucial that
the problem of child abuse be addressed because not only does it have an impact on the
motivation and productivity of the individuals but also has adverse effects on the health of the
individuals concerned.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I appreciate the support and cooperation of the school authority, the students and all that
participated in this study.
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