Self reported experience of physical abuse in schools in Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction Physical abuse of children in schools is common in Nigeria, but its prevalence and forms are yet to be clearly studied. Objectives To determine the prevalence and pattern of physical abuse of children in Secondary Schools in Ilorin Nigeria Methods Cross sectional survey of secondary school students aged 11-18 years in Ilorin Nigeria using multistage random sampling technique with proportional allocation was done. Respondents completed the ICAST-CI questionnaire which covers child abuse in educational institutions. Prevalence and pattern of child abuse was computed. Results Table 1: Pattern of physical abuse in School in the last 12 months Form of abuse Frequency Percentage Physical Abuse* (n=1,554) Caused you pain 1514 97.4 Stay in cold/heat 1285 82.7 Hit you with fist 716 46.1 Kneel in a way that hurts 686 44.1 Slap on head as punishment 663 42.7 Twist ear as punishment 635 40.9 Kicked you 476 30.6 Slap on your arm 448 28.8 Throws object at you 347 22.3 Crushed your finger as punishment 231 14.9 Choked you 224 14.4 Pulled your hair as punishment 116 7.5 Starvation as punishment 67 4.3 Forced to do dangerous acts 64 4.1 Soap or pepper in mouth 48 3.1 Cut you with sharp object 10 1.0 Burnt as punishment - - Put into hot or cold water - - Tied with rope or belt - - Conclusions Physical abuse of children is extremly commonplace in public secondary schools in Nigeria. it is neccessary to explore other ways of dealing with children in educational institutions. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Keywords

• Child
• physical abuse
• school