K.A. IMAFIDON

Globally, human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights and the psychological and social functioning impacts millions of people in all society including Nigerians. Nigeria is a source and transit nation for human trafficking, with many victims originating from vulnerable neighborhoods like Okogbo in Benin City, Edo State (Adepoju, 2019). Human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, transit, housing, or reception of persons for the purpose of exploitation using force, deception, or coercion (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2018). These people are taken advantage of in industries like commercial sex, manufacturing, domestic work, fishing, agriculture, and domestic work. 42% of victims are victims within their own nations, despite the fact that the majority of victims are trafficked across international borders (UNODC, 2016). 71% of the victims that have been found are female, and 28% are minors (UNODC, 2016).

The study aimed to examine the impact of coercive COVID-19 vaccination on the mental health of people in Itamaga community, Ikorodu, Lagos State. The specific objectives were to investigate the perceived mental health effects of vaccination, to understand people's reactions towards the COVID-19 vaccine, and to assess the level of stigma on those who were vaccinated. A survey methodology was employed, with data collected from a sample of 150 respondents in the Itamaga community. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, with frequencies and percentages used to interpret the responses. The findings revealed a significant perception among respondents that COVID-19 vaccination affects mental health. Additionally, a high level of vaccine hesitancy and fear was observed, with many respondents expressing fear of taking the vaccine due to concerns about death or sickness. Stigma associated with vaccination was also prevalent in the community. Based on these findings, it is recommended that mental health support be integrated into vaccination programs, targeted education and communication strategies be implemented to address vaccine hesitancy and fear, and efforts be made to address the stigma associated with vaccination.