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Knowledge of Parents Regarding Child Sexual Abuse in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Ime, EI, Ekot, MO, Nkan, VV

Abstract

The study assessed parents’ knowledge regarding child sexual abuse in Akwa Ibom State. The specific objectives of the study were to; determine the demographic characteristics of parents, ascertain the respondents’ knowledge level of child sexual abuse. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 240 parents as respondents for the study. A well-structured questionnaire titled 'Knowledge of Parents Regarding Child Sexual Abuse in Akwa Ibom State" was used as instrument for the study. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages mean, correlation analysis and independent t-test. The study found that majority 95.8% of the respondents had high level of knowledge of child sexual abuse. T-test analysis showed a significant difference in the knowledge of male and female respondents regarding child sexual abuse in the study area. Results of correlation showed a significant relationship between the demographic characteristics age, number of children, household size and knowledge of child sexual abuse but no significant relationship between income and knowledge of child sexual abuse. Parents of children in Akwa Ibom State had a high-level knowledge of child sexual abuse. It is recommended that government and non-governmental establish accessible support systems for parents and children affected by sexual abuse and strengthen the enforcement of existing laws related to child protection and abuse.

Keywords

Child abuseChild sexual abuseKnowledgeParents

References

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