Background. The few studies on child abuse in Nigeria have
focused on the child victims. However, little is known about
characteristics of the parents who are the perpetrators of this
abuse.
Aim. To assess the opinions and attitudes of parents
concerning child abuse and neglect, and the factors
associated with the practice of child abuse.
Method. We interviewed 260 randomly selected parents
in the city of Ilorin, Nigeria, using a questionnaire to
ascertain socio-demographic data and details about the
understanding and practice of various forms of child abuse
such as hawking, child labour, physical beating, sending
children to work as house-helps, and sexual abuse.
Results. Sixty per cent of the subjects were women, and
72.7% were less than 40 years old; 30.4% sent their
children to hawk goods, 34.2% believed that a child must
work before receiving food, 10.4% had sent or would send
their children to work as house-helps, and 52.3% discipline
their children by physical beating. Older age (40 years
and over), being unmarried, being unemployed, having
3 or more children, and a low level of education were
significantly associated with the tendency to abuse children.
Conclusion. Child abuse is still practised in Ilorin, Nigeria.
Socio-economic factors associated with child abuse were
identified. We recommend that government should assist
citizens financially and support programmes that educate
parents about the dangers of child abuse.