Adoption practices in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

The study of the pattern and outcome of adoptions in Enugu, Nigeria in order to determine the challenges in the emerging adoption practice in the state. Aretrospective analysis of adoption practices in Enugu Nigeria based on data from the National women\'s Commission. The NationalWomen\'s Commission is the statutory body responsible for the documentation and follow-up of adoption in Enugu State. The characteristics of adopters and adoptees, types of adoption, prevalence and outcome of the adoptions between January 1991 and December 2001 were examined. Percentages were used for descriptive statistics and student\'s t-test for comparing means at 5% significance levels. There were sixty-one adoptions in the eleven-year period giving a prevalence of 5.5 adoptions per year. Eighteen (29.5%) kinship adoptions and 43 (70.5%) adoptions of abandoned babies and children were recorded. Themean age of the adopteeswas 4.2 years and 33.3% of themwere 5 years and above.All adopters were Nigerians but 32.0% of themresided overseas. The commonest age range at adoption was 4-49 years and the peak duration ofmarriage prior to adoption was 15-19 years.Most adopters (84.9%) had at least secondary school education.No adoptionwas annulled and therewas no recorded death of adoptees. Post caremonitoring was found to be incomprehensive. The growing practice of adoption in Enugu is laudable but post adoption care is poor. Emphasis on post adoption care is vital in developing countrieswhere complex social and logistic factorsmilitate against it. In infertility management early institution of counseling on adoption would allow couples ample time for decisionmaking and preparation for adoption, aswell as encourage adoptionwhen couples are still young.

Keywords: Adoption. Practice

Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (1) 2008: pp.5-8