Determination of paternity disputes in the Niger delta region of Nigeria

Abstract

Results of paternity test, among disputants, carried out in our hospital between May 1992 and May 2002 were analysed. The cases were referred from Social Welfare Office, the Court and the Police. A total of twenty-four (24) cases consisting of 22 (91.7% ) groups of three each, including the disputed child, the mother, and the alleged father; and 2 (8.3% ) groups of four each, with one group consisting of the disputed child, the mother and two alleged fathers, while the other consisting of the mother, the alleged father and the disputed female twins. All the disputed victims were children (10 males and 14 females) in the age group 6 months to 8 years. The total cumulative paternal exclusion rate with our routine techniques was only 16.7% , all with the ABO blood group system. This is a far cry from the exclusion rates of about 97% for HLA testing, and 99.9% for DNA analysis. The available screening package in our hospital is therefore inadequate, and we advocate for the provision of more sophisticated and reliable techniques in designated centres across the country. This will go a long way in resolving the medicolegal and social problems encountered by the disputants and the victims.