FACULTY OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

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    DETERMINANTS, PREVALENCE AND EFFECTS OF ELECTRICITY THEFT AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN LAGOS STATE
    (2021-09) OBAFEMI, M.O
    Unstable electricity supply has been a major hindrance to economic development in Nigeria. Attainment of stable and reliable electricity supply requires three basic dimensions: technicalities, organisational structures and reduction of Electricity Theft (ET) to the barest minimum. Previous studies focussed more on the technical and organisational requirements with little attention paid to ET and its resultant effects particularly at household level. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the determinants of ET, its prevalence and effects among households in Lagos State, Nigeria. Becker’s Economic Theory of Criminal Behaviour served as the framework, while a survey design was adopted. A self-developed structured questionnaire focusing on determinants, prevalence and effects of ET was randomly administered to 580 household’s (area of franchise under Ikeja Electric Plc. (n = 330), and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (n= 250) electricity end-users in Lagos State. Bribery and Corruption (BC), Income Level (IL), Lack of Punishment of Earlier Offenders (LPEO), Running Micro-Business in Residential Apartments (RMBRA), Non Availability of Taskforce (NAT) to apprehend perpetrators, Frequency of Power Outages (FPO), Electricity Tariff (ELT) and Weak Enforcement of Anti-Electricity Theft laws (WEAET) were factors investigated as potential drivers of ET. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse prevalence and effects of ET, while Probit Regression estimation technique was used to identify its determinants among households at α0.05. The key drivers of ET were BC (β=0.063), IL (β= 0.060), LPEO (β=0.020), RMBRA (β=0.040), FPO (β=0.101), WEAET (β=0.104) and ELT (β=0.139). All the factors were positive and statistically significant. An important driver of ET, IL (β= 0.060), which was positive and statistically significant indicated that incidence of ET cuts across all income groups in Lagos State. The prevalence of electricity theft was (in two digits) 14.0% indicating excessive involvement of household electricity end-users in ET. The major effects of electricity theft included damage to electric power equipment (64.4%), difficulty in planning for service delivery (68.2%), increased expenses on self-power generation (51.6%), damage to household appliances (61.4%), epileptic electricity supply (72.4%), brown out (73.2%), poor revenue to the electricity distribution companies (82.0%) and further reduction in the quantity of electricity available for household use (72 .4%). The incidence of ET in Lagos State was widespread, cut across all income groups and had varied significant harmful effects on both the households’ electricity end-users and the electric power utilities. Strong determinants of Electricity Theft among households in Lagos State, Nigeria, were corruption, running micro business within residential apartments and weak enforcement of anti-electricity theft laws with severe consequences on the entire electric power value chain. Strengthening institutions for enforcement and application of anti-electricity theft laws is recommended to mitigate the problem.
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    SOCIALCONTEXT OFVESICOVAGINAL FISTULA IN EBONYI AND PLATEAU STATES, NIGERIA
    (2023-06) OBIOMA,C.O.
    Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF), an uncontrollable leakage of urine through the vaginal, is a global public health problem associated with maternal death. In Nigeria, it is a common gynaecological issue associated with marital disruption and social exclusion. Studies on VVF have mainly focused on its biomedical aspects with scant attention given to the social factors associated with the condition, especially in and stateshere there are availabiy of well-established VVF Centres for patient referrals. This studytherefore, examined the determinants, community perception, prevalence, treatment pathways and factors influencing care and support for VVF in Ebonyi and Plateau states. The Ecological Model of Health provided the framework. A mixed-methods approach comprising a comparative cross-sectional survey design was adopted. A sample of 695 respondents: Ebonyi (324) and Plateau (371) states were drawn using Cochran’s (1977) formula. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to administer semi-structured questionnaire to community members to elicit information on community perception and socio-economic consequences of VVF. Hospital Records (Ebonyi (136) and Plateau (381) states) were used to generate information on the prevalence and determinants of VVF. Key Informant interviews were conducted with four gynaecologists and four nurses. In-depth interviews (20 from each state) and case studies (4 from each state) were conducted with VVF patients to elicit information on treatment pathways, and care and support. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Logistic Regression at p≤0.05, while the qualitative data were content-analysed. The respondents’ age was 34.22±10.27 years; 78.6% were married and 40.7% attained secondary education. The major determinants of VVF included obstetrics complications (86.1%), congenital (1.0%) and prolonged labour (0.6%). Eight per cent had negative perception about VVF patients, but those in Plateau were six times (OR=5.56) more likely to hold negative perceptions of VVF patients than those in Ebonyi State. Prevalence of VVF was 12.2 (Ebonyi) and 23.7 (Plateau) per 100,000 women; and these were significantly related to age at child delivery (x2=20.19), parity (x2=27.02) and education (x2=102.34). The common treatment pathways for VVF among patients started from simple home remedies and herbs with few visiting modern healthcare facilities before referrals to VVF Centres. Ignorance and the belief that the traditional therapy was more effective were factors that influenced VVF patients’ decision to utilise home remedies and herbs at the beginning of the condition. Perceived severity of the condition and referrals made by the healthcare providers influenced the choice of subsequent treatment options. Delay to visit modern healthcare facilities aggravated the VVF condition. In Ebonyi State, care and support for VVF patients was influenced by marital status and level of spousal affection, while the number of times VVF repairs were done as well as relatives’ decisions influenced care and support for VVF patients in Plateau State. The burden of odour from VVF patients and the cost of treatment resulted in stigmatisation, divorce, job loss and economic disempowerment among these patients. Social and demographic factors influenced the determinants and treatment pathways for Vesicovaginal Fistula in Ebonyi and Plateau states, Nigeria. There is a need for government and healthcare providers to further sensitise women about the best practices leading to the prevention of thecondition. therefore, examined the determinants, community perception, prevalence, treatment pathways and factors influencing care and support for VVF in Ebonyi and Plateau states.
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    THE SOCIAL CONTEXT OF GENTRIFICATION IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA
    (2023-03) AYUBA,M.R.
    Gentrification, a process of displacement of low-income households and businesses by high-income class, is a disconcerting feature of development in Lagos State. Previous studies on gentrification focused on physical transformations of built environment with little attention paid to its sociological processes. This study, therefore, adopted a sociological approach to investigate the social history, processes, drivers, patterns, costs, adaptive strategies and social relations of gentrification in Lagos State, Nigeria. Gentrification Interpretive Theory provided the framework, while the descriptive research design was adopted. Agege, Alimosho, Oshodi, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland and Lagos Island Local Government Areas (LGAs) were purposively selected due to their pervasiveness in gentrification. Primary data were collected using quantitative and qualitative instrumentations, while secondary data were obtained from official documents. Using systematic sampling technique, a total of 894 copies of questionnaire were administered to residents of gentrifying areas based on Cochran’s (1977) formula; 24 In-depth Interviews (four per LGA) were conducted among longtime and new residents, voluntarily displaced landlords and tenants; 24 Key Informant Interviews (four per LGA) were conducted with developers (one per LGA), estate agents (one per LGA), one official of Lagos State Urban Renewal Authority, and another from Lagos State Building Control Agency; six Focus Group Discussions (one per LGA) were held among religious leaders, and six Life Histories (one per LGA) were done among community leaders. The processes and patterns of gentrification were observed through non-participant observation. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-Square and Multiple linear regressions at p≤0.05, while qualitative data were content-analysed. The respondents’ age was 42.41±15.64 years; of whom 62.0% were males and 50.1% earned >N100,000 monthly. Gentrification was traced to the colonial era. It manifested in displacements of low income households and businesses by governments and wealthy individuals through private and government driven processes. The private processes entailed persuasion of poor landlords by gentrifiers through agents, and this was jointly predicted by education, age and income (Adj.R2 = 0.19, F (3, 891) = 73.29). The government-driven processes were characterised by disregard for court injunctions on the legality of occupancy of gentrifying areas. Influx and expansion of businesses (23.6%) and profit-seeking behaviour (34.0%) were generic and specific drivers of gentrification respectively, and these were significantly related to respondents’ income (χ2 =202.42), education (χ2 =237.78) and occupation (χ2 =234.32). While political and criminal gentrifications were new patterns of gentrification in Lagos, homelessness (10.3%) and high cost of living (27.2%) were the social and economic costs. Reliance on family and friends’ networks for support (41.2%) and use of refurbished containers (24.8%) were adaptive strategies adopted by displaced families and businesses. Remaining indigent original occupants of the gentrifying areas felt threatened by the arrival of gentry, causing deep sense of alienation. Gentrification processes adversely influenced social relations between low-income residents who have stayed long and the gentry, with grave implications for sustainable peace and development of urban Lagos. Inclusive social and economic policies that would alleviate poverty and meet housing needs in low-income areas of Lagos State should be formulated
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    ADOPTIONOFHEALTHINSURANCESCHEMEANDHEALTHSEEKINGBEHAVIOURAMOGEMPLOYEESOFPRIVATEORGANISATIONS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA
    (2023-08) STARRIS-ONYEMA,P.N.
    The Health Insurance Scheme (HIS), a means of financing medical care among employees globally, is designed to subsidise medical costs. In Nigeria, HIS is inadequately implemented and this affects access to healthcare among employees, particularly in the private sector. Existing studies have mainly focused on biomedical aspects of HIS in the public sector with scant attention given to the social factors associated with its utilisation among employees of private organisations, including Enugu State, where the scheme has officially been adopted by private sector organisations. This study, therefore, examined the extent to which HIS is utilised; influence of its adoption on health-seeking behaviour; treatment pathways of enrollees; gender differentials in its utilisation; and the challenges reported by private sector employers that have enlisted in the scheme in Enugu State. The Structural Functionalist Theory and Health Belief Model served as framework, while the cross-sectional survey design was employed. The purposive sampling technique was used to select one organisation from each of the manufacturing and service industries that have adopted HIS. A sample of 457 respondents were drawn using Yamane’s formula. Simple random sampling was used to proportionately administer semi-structured questionnaire to employees in manufacturing (369) and service (88) industries. Twenty-four in-depth interviews were conducted with employees in manufacturing (14) and service (10) industries. Sixteen key informant interviews were conducted with management staff of manufacturing (5) and service (3) industries. Four healthcare providers from National Health Insurance Agency (NHIA) accredited hospitals, two managers of health maintenance organisations, and two NHIA executive officers. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Logistic regression and T-test at p≤0.05, while the qualitative data were content-analysed. The respondents’ age was 38±2.4 years; 77.4% had tertiary education and 70.8% were married. Forty-six percent partially utilised and 32.0% adequately utilised HIS. The extent to which HIS was adequately utilised was significantly associated with respondents’ aged ≥50 years (OR=4.87), tertiary education (OR=3.53) and those who were married (OR=2.57). Influence of HIS on health-seeking behaviour was significantly associated with senior staff (OR=1.57) and 100, 000 (OR=4.04) as monthly income. The treatment pathways for employees started with visit to HIS hospitals (61.2%), home therapy (23.2%), visit to hospitals without HIS (12.5%), faith/religious centres (2.9%) and traditional medical centre (0.2%). Some of those who did not visit HIS accredited hospitals at the onset of their ill-health resorted to visiting HIS accredited hospitals when their conditiondeteriorated.Femaleemployees(52.6%)were more likely to seek healthcare through HIS than their male counterparts (47.4%) after enrolling in HIS plan. Private sector employers’ challenges in the adoption of HIS included payment of premium, abuse oftheschemebysomeemployees,complexbureaucratic structure of the scheme and employees' inability to access certain treatments due to their organisations’ chosen HIS plan.Socio-organisational and individual factors influenced the adoption of health insurance scheme and the health seeking-behaviour of private sector employees in Enugu State, Nigeria. Health maintenance officials, Healthcare providers and other stakeholders should therefore increase awareness about the benefits of utilising health insurance scheme by private sector employees in order to reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure.
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    CRIMINAL VICTIMISATION OF RIDESHARING DRIVERS IN LAGOS STATE
    (2023-08) POPOOLA,R.D
    Globally, criminal victimisation has become a security threat in the ridesharing industry, which uses digital application to connect riders to drivers. In Nigeria, criminal victimisation has become prevalent among drivers working with prominent ridesharing companies in Lagos State. Existing studies described the self-protective behaviours of ridesharing drivers, with scant attention paid to the social context of their victimisation and lived experiences. This study, was therefore designed to investigate the nature of victimisation,factors associated with its occurrence, its risks as well as the preventive measures provided by ridesharing companies to protect drivers in Lagos State. The Routine Activity Theory provided the framework, while the exploratory design was employed.Lagos State was purposively selected due to the recorded prevalence of ridesharing victimisation. Two prominent ridesharing companies were purposively selected because they are the leading players in the ridesharing industry. In all, 45 in-depthinterviews were conducted. This comprised 30 drivers (15 in each of the two companies), 10 riders and five police officers in the Rapid Response Squad who had handled ridesharing victimisation cases. A key informant interview was also conducted with anoperations manager of one of the companies to understand safety and preventive measures put in place for drivers. These were complemented with 10 reported cases of victimisation in the Vanguard and Punch newspapers, selected because of their extensivecoverage on ridesharing victimisation. The data were thematically analysed. The 30 ridesharing drivers were male. Of these, 18 worked on full-time, while 12 worked on part-time basis. Cash-dominated payment system, working late at night and the type of cars used by ridesharing drivers exposed them to victimisation from crime-motivated riders. The drivers experienced violent attacks from crime-motivated riders, resulting in loss of cars, phones and money. They also sustained bodily injuries, while some of their colleagues died in the process. Despite reported victimisation of ridesharing drivers, ridesharing companies were reported to have done little or nothing to secure the lives and valuables of their drivers who had suffered varying degrees of victimisation. Although,ridesharing companies reported that there were security measures put in place, such as the rating system and insurance, the ridesharing drivers noted that these measures were insufficient to protect them from crime-motivated riders. The police statedthat installing security camera in ridesharing cars would be helpful in deterring crime-motivated riders and enhance the safety of drivers. Criminal victimisation of ridesharing drivers manifested in the form of physical injury, loss of lives, and dispossession of valuables. Drivers should avoid crime hot-spots and timing of their operation while ridesharing companies should install tracking devices on their cars.
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    KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PREDICTORS OF CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING UPTAKE AMONG WOMEN IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA
    (2023-06) OWOLABI, G.O
    CervicalCancer(CC),apreventablemalignanttumourinwomen’s cervixes, is one of the most common causes of maternal deaths in developing countries. Despite its preventability through regular Cervical Cancer Screening (CCS), it is the second most common cancer responsible for gynaecological morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Studies on CC have largely focused on its biomedical contexts, with little attention paid to the social contexts affecting the knowledge and attitudes towards the uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening (CCS). This study, therefore, investigated the awareness, knowledge, attitudes, perceptions of risks, and the socio-cultural factors influencing the uptake of CCS among women in Oyo State, Nigeria. The Health Belief Model was adopted, while the mixed methods, comprising a cross-sectional survey design, was utilised. Oyo State was purposively selected based on the availability of a functional cancer registry. Two Local Government Areas (LGAs) were randomly selected from each of the three senatorial districts. Using Leslie Kish’s (1965) formula, a sample of 960 respondents was determined based on the projected 2019 population of these LGAs. A questionnaire on the socio-economic, attitude, knowledge, perception of the risk factors, and accessibility to screening centres and health workers was systematically administered to women (aged 20-60 years) in the selected LGAs - Oluyole (189), Oyo West (126), Irepo (109), Ogbomosho North (178), Ibarapa-North (91) and Ibadan South-West (267) LGAs. Questionnaire was proportionally administered based on the LGAs’ population. In-depth interviews were conducted with six community leaders, six women and eight religious leaders. Key informant interviews were conducted with four physicians and 12 nurses\midwives. Three focus group discussions were held with married men. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi square and multiple regression at p≤0.05, while the qualitative data were content-analysed. The respondents’ age was 34.67±11.91 years, 86.0% earned below ₦45,000 monthly, and 65.3% were married. Awareness of CC was low (38.0%) based on the misconception of its causes, and it varied by income (χ2=14.92), education (χ2=36.77) and employment (χ2=54.87) status. Knowledge about the causes of CC was poor, as 49.3% had knowledge about its symptoms. Socio-cultural factors jointly predicted uptake of CCS (R=0.21, R2 =0.05, Adjusted R2=0.04, (F (4,929) =10.90). Knowledge of CC insignificantly contributed to CCS uptake (β=0.02). Perceived benefit (β=0.54), perceived severity (β=-0.02) and cervical cancer risk perception (β=0.21), independently contributed to the uptake of CCS. More than half (60.0%) had negative attitude towards CCS uptake. Womanhood (62.6%), promiscuity (56.3%), smoking habit (53.7%), and family history (47.0%) were the reported risk factors for CC. A majority of the male discussants associated jejere enu ile-omo with prostitution. The use of herbs, role of diviners, spousal support, and religious beliefs influenced uptake of CCS. The cost of CCS, location of CCS centres, fear of stigmatisation, and perceived pains limited CCS uptake. Poor knowledge and awareness ofcervicalcancernegativelyinfluencedattitudestowardscervicalcancerscreeningamongwomeninOyoState,Nigeria.Amultistakeholderholisticframework to motivate positive awareness and uptake ofcervical cancer screening is recommended.
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    SOCIAL RELATIONS OF YAM FLOUR PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION IN LAGOS AND OYO STATES,NIGERIA
    (2023-08) OLAWORE, A .A
    Social Relations (SRs), the network of interactions among members of the society, is a vital component of healthy partnerships among organisations worldwide. Conversely, egoistic motivation for reward and numerous market and institutional failures havechallenged healthy relationships among people in informal organisations in Nigeria. Existing studies on SRs have largely focused on formal organisations with scant attention paid to in informal organisations, especially among actors in yam flour (èlùbọ́)production and distribution. This study, therefore, examined the social relations (social organisation, exchange value construction, value chain activities, indigenous practices and the socio-demographic characterisation) underlying yam flour production anddistribution in Lagos and Oyo states, Nigeria. There is a need for an actor centred policy formulation and implementation by governments. The appropriate authorities should provide more intervention programmes to enhance social relations and yam flourproduction and distribution.
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    SAND MINING, LAND DEGRADATION AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN EVBUOBANOSA, EDO STATE,NIGERIA
    (2023-06) NWALI,E.O.
    Sand Mining (SM) is the extraction of sand aggregate from land surface and water bodies. Globally, sand is a critical resource for construction purposes. In Nigeria, SM is a process that degenerates into land degradation and conflict involving a network of people and structures. Extant studies have focused more on sand extraction and environmental degradation than its associated structures and conflicts. This study, therefore, examined land degradation and conflict management due to SM, with a view to determining the extent of SM, the structural organisations involved, livelihood implications of resultant land degradation, the networks of associated conflict and the conflict management mechanisms in Evbuobanosa Dukedom, Edo State, Nigeria. Theory of Ecological Marxism guided the study, while the exploratory design was adopted. Qualitative data were purposively collected from Abudu, Evbuobanosa and Iru communities. Secondary data were sourced from the records of Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel, Benin-city office. Key Informant Interviews were conducted with 10 community leaders, six youth leaders, four pit owners and four environmental management experts. In-depth interviews were conducted with 40 sand miners, four SM association leaders, six tipper drivers, 18 farmers and eight fishermen. Eighteen Focus Group Discussion sessions were held with sand miners (9), farmers (4) and community members (5). Two case studies were also conducted with sand miners. Data were content-analysed. Sand was mined extensively, legally and illegally. Most mining sites (81.4%) were illegal with depth of 1-3 meters, each covering about 1011m2 and mined until stopped by regulators. Illegal miners thereafter, moved elsewhere to continue mining. Legal mines had depths ranging from 25-34 meters covering between 1011m2-32,374m2 and could reach down to the water table. The structural organisation of SM included the positional elites: community elders and legal miners, and artisanal working-class, illegal miners, mine workers, tipper loaders and drivers. Legal miners had renewable five-year mining permits. Site operations were largely mechanised and performed by three principal workers: manager, cashier and machine operators under close monitoring of legal miners to forestall fraud. Illegal mining was executed manually, on land and in water with slightly differing structures. On land, sand scouts/encroachers, loaders and drivers were involved, while diver-excavator, jerker (sand shoveler from canoe to beach), tipper drivers and loaders were involved in water excavation. Sand mining exacerbated flooding and induced landslides with devastating impact on the farmers. The SM drove aquatic lives out of the reach of fishermen. Legal and illegal miners clashed over sites and with indigenes. The conflict networks included guilds, kins, and fraternities: Asigidi, Osokpikan, Ogboni, Vikings, Black Axe, and Eiye among other fraternities. Conflict management mechanisms included negotiation and appeasement between parties. Unresolved cases were referred to the elders’ council, Ogwedion, where defaulting parties were sanctioned with traditional fines: Odegbeˋn’ekpetin. Sand mining in Evbuobanosa, Edo State is structured on positional elite-artisanal working class relational-platform, accommodated by traditional arrangements and legal-rational permits. Its conflict management mechanisms were based on traditional institutions. Government needs to implement sustainable mining regulations to minimise land degradation.
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    EXPERIENCES OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND CHALLENGES OF DISCLOSURES AMONG JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
    (2023-01) OLANIYI,M.I
    Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), which is a form of sexual activity with a minor, is not only a global social problem but also a major risk factor that affects the physical, social and mental well-being of affected children particularly in Nigeria. Previous studies on CSA have largely focused on its causes and prevention among children. However, there is little attention given to the experience, and its disclosure, among students in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), who are more at risk considering their school-age bracket, (10-17 years), especially in Ogun State. This study was, therefore, designed to investigate the knowledge of, experience, disclosure rate and challenges of disclosure, as well as consequences of, and coping strategies of CSA among JSS students in Ogun State, Nigeria.Ecological Systems Theory provided the framework. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Using multi-stage sampling technique, Ogun State was divided into East, Central and West senatorial districts, and 11 Local Government Areas were randomly selected. Stratified purposive sampling was used to select 22 Public JSS. A total sample of 976 respondents was drawn using Lemesho’s (1990) sample size determination formula. Simple random sampling was used to proportionately administer a structured questionnaire to students of JSS consisting of Ogun East (344), Central (325) and West (307). Twelve in-depth interviews were conducted with victims of CSA, and 18 key informant interviews were conducted with School Counsellors (4), Medical Officers (6) and Police Officers (8). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Logistic Regressions and One-way ANOVA at P≤0.05, while the qualitative data were content-analysed.The respondents’ age was 13.18±1.36, 52.2% were male and 61.3% resided in urban centres. Knowledge about CSA was moderately high (50.7%); and significantly associated with students in Junior Secondary (JS) II (OR=1.59), JS III (OR=1.55), male students (OR=0.76) and those who resided in urban centres (OR=1.37). About 30.6% had CSA experiences. The experience of CSA was significantly associated with those who were in JS II (OR=1.41), JS III (OR=1.16), aged 13-15 (OR=1.59), ≥16 years (OR=3.23) and those in urban centres (OR=1.22). The disclosure of CSA rate was low (17.1%); and significantly associated with those who were in JS II(OR=0.18), JS III (OR=0.12), aged 13-15 (OR=2.34), ≥16 years (OR=4.08) and urban residence (OR=1.79). Behavioural disorder (39.1%), re-experiencing (41.2%), anxiety (47.0%), marital dissatisfaction (25.2%) and sexual dysfunction (3.0%) were the consequences of CSA. There were significant differences between age (F(2, 973) =11.87), ethnic group (F(3, 972) =2.455) and the consequences of CSA. Counselling (58.5%), dissociation (7.4%), denial (6.4%) and rationalising (4.0%) were the various coping mechanisms for CSA. The fear of threats, beating, shame, stigmatisation, prosecution of familial perpetrators or offenders and ignorance affected disclosure of CSA among victims and relatives. Experience of CSA resulted in excessive body pains, bruises, unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.The socio-demographic characteristics of Junior Secondary school students influenced the knowledge, experience, disclosure, consequences, and coping strategies of child sexual abuse in Ogun State. These should be factored intoJuniorSecondary school students’ experience and disclosure of child sexual abuse
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    SOCIALCONSTRUCTION OF CORRUPTIONINNIGERIA
    (2023-08) NKPE,D.O.
    Globally, corruption threatens good governance, service delivery and the rule of law. In Nigeria, it undermines efficiency in organisations and institutions. Existing studies on corruption examined causes, measurement, consequences, prevalence and strategies for fighting corruption. However, scant attention has been paid to the social construction of corruption. This study was, therefore, designed to identify behaviours defined as corrupt activities; predisposing factors; strategies used to execute corrupt practices; factors that determine people’s receptivity to corruption; the role of the media in its construction; and how power relations moderate corrupt practices in Abuja.The social construction theory provided the framework, while a cross-sectional design was employed. Abuja was purposively selected based on the high concentration of federal ministries, departments and agencies. Three Area Councils (Abuja Municipal, Bwari and Gwagwalada) were randomly selected. Using Yamane’s (1967) sample size determination formula, 1300 respondents were sampled. Systematic sampling was used to proportionately administer a structured questionnaire to respondents (aged ≥18 years) in Abuja Municipal (438), Bwari (433) and Gwagwalada (429) councils. Twenty-one key informant interviews were conducted with two judges, six lawyers, six civil society groups’ officials, and seven community leaders. Thirty in-depth interviews (six with each group) were conducted with lecturers, politicians, contractors, procurement officers and commercial drivers. Nine focus group discussion sessions (three in each) were held with students, journalists and anti-graft agencies’ officials to examine the social construction of corruption. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square at p≤0.05 while the qualitative data were content-analysed.The respondents’ ages were 34.87±10.82 years, with 47.8% working in the public sector. The majority of the respondents (92.2%) defined certain behaviour – nepotism, conversion of public property to private use, diversion of public funds to unbudgeted projects – as highly corrupt activities. This was significantly related to age (x2=47.12), education (x2=29.86), occupation (x2=65.11) and income (x2=34.82). Greed (66.4%), poverty (22.5%) and weak laws (11.1%) predisposed people to corrupt behaviour. Ineffective law enforcement (48.6%) and loopholes in government financial systems (14.9%) made public office holders vulnerable to corruption. Distortion of financial records (98.5%), payment of ghost workers (98.5%) and charging unauthorised fees (97.9%) were strategies reported to be used to execute corruption. Gift-giving culture (86.8%) and payment of fines in lieu of a jail term by corrupt officials (93.6%) strongly determined people’s receptivity to corruption. Trivialisation of corrupt cases and biased reportage by the media during trials, due to fear of persecution of reporters, affected how society constructed corruption. When seeking public service, the person with less power was more inclined to offer a bribe than the one in a position of authority.Greed, poverty and shabby implementation of anti-corruption laws predisposed people to corrupt behaviour and influenced how they construct corruption. There is a need for relevant authorities to sensitise the public against patronising the culture of corruption.