Main Article Content

Adolescent prostitution in south-western Nigeria: demographic characteristics and risk factors.


BA Olofinbiyi
SA Olofinbiyi
JL Oyefara
OO Adeniyi
OP Aduloju
RO Olofinbiyi
OB Fasubaa

Abstract

Context: Adolescent prostitution, an interesting area of reproductive health focus, is of great socioeconomic and medical burden in Nigeria.
Objective: This study aims to determine the demographic characteristics and risk factors for adolescent prostitution in Nigeria
Method: This was a cross- sectional study using ethnographic method of in-depth interview based survey of adolescent sex workers in Oyingbo and Yaba communities of Lagos State, Nigeria. This study was conducted between 1st of April, 2014 and 30th of September, 2014. The interview was conducted face to face.
Result: A total of 290 adolescent sex workers were interviewed. The mean age of adolescent prostitutes in the study was 16.9 years. While 97.9% of the respondents were of Christian faith, 1.7% belonged to Islam. Financial gain was the commonest reason (90.7%) for involvement in adolescent prostitution in the study.
Conclusion: Adolescent prostitution is a significant social and medical problem in Nigeria. Prompt and holistic multidisciplinary approach is required to address this social problem.

Keywords: Adolescent, prostitution, reproductive health, demographic characteristics, risk factors, Nigeria


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 0189-5117