Vulnerability of Nigerian Secondary School to Human Sex Trafficking in Nigeria

Francisca Isi Omorodion

Abstract

Sex trafficking contributes to the cycle of violence against women, and inflicts global social and health consequences, particularly in this era of HIV/AIDS pandemic. This paper is based on a cross-sectional survey conducted in two urban and two rural schools located in Delta and Edo states of Nigeria. The aim is to assess in-school students’ knowledge and awareness of, and attitude toward sex trafficking as a way to understanding their personal vulnerability to trafficking. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered in 2004-2005 to a classroom random sample of 689 adolescents in the age range of 16-20 years. The results show that in-school adolescents are vulnerable to sex trafficking due to poverty (77.2%); unemployment (68.4%); illiteracy (56.1%); and low social status (44.5%). Students in co-ed schools showed higher knowledge and awareness of the serious health consequences of trafficking (Afr J Reprod Health 2009; 13[2]:33-48).

 

 

RĖSUMĖ

Vulnérabilité des étudiants des écoles secondaires nigérians au trafic d’êtres humains. Le trafic de sexe contribue au cycle de violence contre la femme et inflige les conséquences globales sociales et médicales globales, surtout à cette époque de la pandémie du VIH/SIDA.  Cette étude est basée sur une enquête transversale qui a été menée dans deux écoles urbaines et deux écoles rurales qui se trouvaient dans les Etats de Delta et d’Edo au Nigéria.  L’étude avait comme objectif d’évaluer la connaissance et la conscience du trafic de sexe chez les étudiants ainsi que leur attitude envers le trafic de sexe comme moyen de leur compréhension de leur vulnérabilité au trafic.  Un questionnaire semi-structuré a été administré en 2004 – 2005 auprès d’un échantillon au hasard d’une salle de classe comportant 689 adolescents âges de 16 ans et 20 ans.  Les résultats ont montré que les adolescents encore à l’école sont vulnérables au trafic de sexe à cause de la pauvreté (72,2%), du chômage (68,4%), de l’analphabétisme (56,1%) et une situation sociale inférieure (44,5%).  Les étudiants dans les écoles mixtes ont fait preuve d’une connaissance et d’une conscience plus élevées des conséquences graves du trafic (Afr J Reprod Health 2009; 13[2]:33-48).

 

 

KEYWORDS: Adolescents; Delta State; Edo State; in-school students; Nigeria; sex trafficking

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