WILBERFORCE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES (WJSS)
ISSN: 2504 – 9232
Volume 2, No. 1, March 2017
Pages 103-121
DOI: 10.36108/wjss/7102.20.0180
DISJOINTED PARENTHOOD AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON THE HEALTH OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA
VICTOR EFFIONG BEN AND JAMES AKPAN EKAH
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to examine the implications of disjointed parenthood in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study was conducted in three Local Government Areas of the State, namely, Essien Udim, Obot Akara and Ibiono Ibom, and the children correctional center, Uyo. Data were obtained from a randomly selected 389 respondents, aged five to twelve years, using multistage and multi method sampling processes. The study used the logistic regression to measure the changes in the family structure and experiences of the respondents in seven key health related areas namely, malnutrition, and adolescent delinquency, and teenage pregnancy, early loss of virginity, dwarf, drug addiction and HIV/Aids. It accepted a significant level of p<.05, p<.04 and range to p<.00. The study found a significant effect of a changing family structure on the health of children, with emphasis that children with disjointed parental experience are most vulnerable.
Keywords: Disjointed-Parenthood, Children, Health, Vulnerability