Provision of sex-related education to children in camps for internally displaced people in Benue State, Nigeria: mothers’ attitudes and practices

Abstract

ABSTRACT Mothers continue to be a major source of sex education for their children. This study explored the attitudes and practices of internally displaced mothers in providing sex-related education to their children in a camp settlement in Nigeria. A qualitative approach was used, and data were elicited from women in three focus group discussions. A thematic approach was adopted for data analysis. Mothers had a positive attitude towards the provision of sex education, primarily to the female child. The content of sex education as they understood included health and hygiene, changes in the reproductive health system, and susceptibility to reproductive tract infections, while they excluded education on nutrition and the art of sex. Despite reports of sexual and gender-based violence in the camps, less information was provided to the children on prevention and options for care. Mothers’ delivery of sex education seemed affected by their level of education and multiple socio-cultural factors. Overall, there were gaps in the provision of sex-related education to the children of internally displaced mothers in Benue State. There is an urgent need to improve access to sex educational content while empowering mothers with strategies to facilitate the provision of age-appropriate sex education in these settlements.