How wealthy are orphans and vulnerable children households in a metropolitan community, South-West Nigeria?
Maternal and child health
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Issue: 2
(11 - 2017)
Context/Background: Responding to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) remains a
public health challenge. In Nigeria, disparities in wealth among OVC has not been previously
documented. Therefore, this study determined the socio-economic status of Orphans and Vulnerable
Children (OVC) in relation to service areas in Lagos Nigeria.
Data Sources and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five local government areas. A
child vulnerability assessment form was used to identify 6656 OVC households. A pretested semi-
structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, and
items relating to service areas: economy, education, food security, shelter, health and psychosocial
issues. Socio-economic status was measured by wealth index; developed using principal component
analysis.
Results: Child access to healthcare services was lower (46.2%) among poorer females compared to
males (50.0%). Access to legal protection was low in all socio-economic categories for both males and
females. Food insecurity was significantly higher in the lower wealth quintiles. The odds of adequate
shelter increased with increasing wealth quintiles.
Conclusion: There were considerable socio-economic inequalities in the access of orphans and
vulnerable children to the service areas.
Keywords: Wealth Index, Orphans and Vulnerable Children, SouthWest Nigeria.
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