ABUSE

This research examine human trafficking and child abuse in Nigeria, with specific focus on Edo State. The study adopted a descriptive method using qualitative analysis to solve the research problems. The findings from the study revealed the prevalence, incidence and knowledge of human trafficking and child abuse among residents of Edo State. The results revealed the causes and determining factors of human trafficking and child abuse among residents of Edo State to include poverty and armed conflict; lack of economic opportunity and education; discriminatory practices including gender discrimination; abusive family environments; restrictive migration policies; and poorly regulated industrial sectors. Identified possible solutions to the menace of human trafficking and child abuse in Edo State includes effective poverty alleviation programme, strict law enforcement process and public enlightenment. The study demonstrated that human trafficking and child abuse were very rampant in Edo State. Following the conclusions, the study propose the following recommendations: The government should legislate against gender discrimination, and make girl-child education free at primary and post primary school levels; The government should set limit to family size; The Edo State government should make adult education compulsory for all illiterate parents; The government should encourage parents’ involvement in cooperative societies through which they will be empowered for economic self-reliance; The government should expand the job market and make employment available to single or unmarried youths to help the care for themselves and think less of migrating away from their State or country.

The effects of drug use on first-year students at University of Benin (UNIBEN) were the focus of this study. The goals were to determine what elements were at play, assess how it affected things like social relationships, psychological health, and academic achievement, and to look at how social work treatments may help. This descriptive survey study surveyed 400 undergraduates (100L-400L) using Taro- Yamane determination techniques, in addition to 20 university health/mental-health professionals and 10 administrative staff members who were picked at random. The researcher used a questionnaire to collect data, and then descriptive statistics (means, frequencies, percentages, and standard deviations) were the main tools for analysis. Based on the results, it seems that the main reasons why students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) use drugs are: peer pressure, academic stress and pressure, natural curiosity, lack of parental supervision, and the ease of access to drugs on and around campus. There will be measurable drops in focus and performance in the classroom, more absences, mental health issues (such as anxiety and depression), worsening physical health, and more participation in antisocial behaviors (such as cult membership, aggressiveness, and truancy). The importance of social workers to prevention and rehabilitation initiatives was emphasized by participants. Awareness campaigns, counseling, referrals to rehabilitation, student orientation, and cooperation across departments are all part of these endeavors. But there are institutional constraints that restrict the breadth of services provided, such as insufficient financing and a lack of qualified social workers. According to the results, drug abuse is a complex problem among college students, calling for holistic solutions based on ecological principles. Among other things, the study pushed for more funding and institutional support for campus social work units, more structured counseling and peer support programs, more targeted awareness and screening campaigns, and better partnerships between health services, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other organizations to improve drug abuse prevention, early detection, and rehabilitation.

Workplace abuse of nurses by patients and their relatives is a growing concern, affecting job performance, mental health, and overall well-being. This study assessed the factors influencing the abuse of nurses at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Ugbowo, Benin City. The study aimed to determine the prevalence, types, and contributing factors of abuse experienced by nurses. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 258 nurses selected through a stratified sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and 251 responses were deemed valid, giving a response rate of 97.2%. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0, with results presented in tables and figures. The study found that verbal abuse was the most common form of abuse, experienced by 71% of respondents. Other reported forms of abuse included emotional distress (59%), workplace bullying (53%), and rude or dismissive behavior (66%). Physical assault (37%), unwanted sexual harassment (42%), and stalking (31%) were less frequently reported. Factors contributing to abuse included patient frustration due to delayed medical attention (mean = 3.1), lack of understanding of hospital policies (mean = 3.0), and emotional distress of patient relatives (mean = 3.2). Patients with psychiatric conditions, those under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and those with severe pain were more likely to abuse nurses. Abuse of nurses in UBTH is prevalent, with verbal and emotional abuse being the most reported. Factors such as patient frustration, unrealistic expectations, and poor communication contribute to these incidents. There is a need for hospital management to implement stricter policies against abuse, provide conflict resolution training for nurses, and improve communication between healthcare workers and patients’ relatives. Additionally, security measures should be strengthened to ensure a safer work environment for nurses.

Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is a serious and persistent problem in Nigeria, deeply rooted in social, cultural, and legal contexts. Despite existing laws and institutions designed to protect victims, IPA continues to affect countless individuals, particularly women, revealing significant gaps between legal provisions and their implementation. This study examines Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework for addressing IPA, considering both domestic laws, such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 and international and regional instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Comparative insights from other countries’ approaches to IPA are also explored to identify best practices and lessons for Nigeria. The research highlights persistent challenges, such as weak enforcement, inadequate coordination among institutions, limited victim support services, and societal stigma, all of which undermine the effectiveness of legal protections. Through case studies, including the widely publicized Osinachi Nwachukwu case, the study illustrates the real-life consequences of these systemic weaknesses and the urgent need for reform. The findings suggest that addressing IPA in Nigeria requires more than legislation; it demands public education, capacity building for law enforcement and the judiciary, community engagement to challenge harmful gender norms, and enhanced support services for survivors. By situating Nigeria’s experience within the broader international context, the study demonstrates that meaningful progress against IPA depends on a combination of legal, institutional, and cultural interventions. The research concludes with practical recommendations aimed at strengthening both protection and prevention measures, ensuring that victims receive justice, and fostering a society where intimate partner abuse is no longer tolerated.

The purpose of this study is to determine the knowledge of drug use and abuse among student of the University of Benin. A drug is any chemical substance derived from plants, animals or mineral resources, be it traditional or orthodox which is used for internal application to the human body in the treatment of diseases, reduction of pain or to modify the functions of the various systems of the body. Drug abuse is a situation where people use drugs without survey prescription of medical practitioners. A descriptive survey research design was adopted in the study. Multi-stage sampling technique was used for the study. One hundred and fifty (150) respondents were derived through the sampling technique from the total population of 33,342 students of the University of Benin. The research adopted questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The research findings showed that more then two-third of students knew what drug abuse was, and indulged in it due to a variety of reasons like pressure and curiously. However a considerable proportion of respondents reported their un-involvement in drug abuse. Based on the findings, it was recommended that students should be health educated on the dangers of drug abuse by organizing seminars and workshops. In addition, the mass media should help in curbing the menace by organizing health programs on radio and television. There should be wide campaigns against drug abuse by NGOs.