ASSESSMENT OF DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF CHILD ABUSE IN BALANGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Geography

Child abuse is a major problem that has been living with man and seen by many as one of his day to day activities. The study aimed at assessment of demographic and socioeconomic consequences of child abuse in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria, and also to identify the factors associated with child abuse among the children. The study is a descriptive survey design using self-administered interviewer questionnaire. Systematic sampling technique was adopted in sampling subjects. Findings showed that the most common associated factor with child abuse with parent/guardian is poverty (59%). The practices of child abuse are majorly concerned with starving the children (56%) and punishing the children (19%). The effects on the child abuse on the child and family could lead the abused children into early marriage (35%) and unwanted pregnancy (30%). The study indicated that child abuse in Balanga LGA is due to poverty/low socio-economic status. The practices of child abuse borders on physical abuse (34.7%) which may include punishing, starving the child amongst others as the most common type of abuse experienced by children in the study area, the effects of child abuse could lead the children into early marriage and/or having unwanted pregnancy. Therefore, social awareness campaign on child abuse and effects should be adopted and effective child abuse laws should be enacted by the government and stiff penalties and sanctions should be melted out to the offenders

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