This study stems from the observation that lesbianism is fast creeping into Girls’ secondary schools in Nigeria. Using the ex-post facto research design, the study examined the influence of self-concept (moral and academic) on the acceptance of lesbianism tendency among 218 senior secondary school girls in Ovwie Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, Nigeria with a population of 2,112 senior secondary school girls. The respondents were randomly selected. The three research hypotheses formulated to guide this study were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The instrument for data collection was the Self-concept and Acceptance of Lesbianism Tendency Questionnaire (SALTQ). The data were analyzed with the population and independent t-tests as the statistical tools. The results showed that the level of lesbianism tendency among senior secondary school girls in the study area was significantly high while a significant influence of moral and academic self-concepts on acceptance of lesbianism tendency was found to exist among the girls. Based on the findings, it was recommended that efforts should be made by the stakeholders of education to reduce the level of lesbianism among the senior secondary school girls by instituting programmes that sensitize them on the need to develop proper self-concept, the word of God and motivational talks can be appropriately used to encourage the development of moral concepts among the students, and self-concept enhancement programmes should be introduced in schools to enhance academic self-concept.

It is now known that deviant behavior and other social vices are rampant in many Nigerian Universities. Some of these social vices such as drug abuse, indecent dressing, sexual immorality have even gone down to our secondary schools (Terhile and Pinga, 2017). They maintained that indecent dressing and other social vices are noticed among both male and female students in Nigeria. Infact, Chikwature et al (2016) condemned some of these vices as unacceptable. Ibu (2010) recommended some measures to curb the menace of Adolescent deviant behavior in Nigerian Universities with particular emphasis on female undergraduate prostitution tendencies. Terzungwe et at (2017) stated that an estimated 5,000 students have lost their lives due to cultism and other antisocial behaviors while they were in Nigerian universities. Parental influence is important in the family background. Parental care especially from tender age was said to be very necessary, Kayode and Adeyinka (2009). In earlier studies Lien 1945 and Safir (1949) indicate that sexual promiscuity of the adolescents are related to personality deficiencies and these in turn are related to homes characterized by disorganization, weak or broken emotional ties or broken families. Ibu (2010) stated that mother’s absence in a family produces structural distortion in the communications between the growing child and the parents or adult world and since such communications are veritable for the overall development of the child, the child’s personality development would be distorted as a result. Such distortion may lead to prostitution tendencies. The present study will lend credence to the views of the last three authors cited above. Abstract: This study investigated the influence of family background on prostitution tendency among 1040 female undergraduate students in three (3) universities located in the South-South geopolitical region of Nigeria. The study was carried out during the 2004/2005 academic session of three universities. The total male population was 22, 976 against female population of 20,829 bringing the grand total population to be 42,905 students. From a target population of 20,829 female undergraduates a sampling technique of stratified random sampling was used in a sample size of 1,040 (one thousand and forty students). Research instrument used was female students opinion questionnaire (FSOQ) designed by Ibu (2010). The instrument had four parts Likert-type scale measuring 1,2,3,4. Two hypotheses (the null and alternate hypotheses) were tested for influence of family background on female prostitution which was done on a four scale point 1 to 4. The results were analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with SPSS statistical package. A post hoc comparison of multiple groups data was carried out using Fisher’s Least significant difference (LSD) multiple comparison analysis. Differences were accepted as significant when P<0.05. The results indicate that family structure significantly affects the prostitution tendency.

Substance abuse among young people is a complex and a problematic social phenomenon which is growing steadily worldwide and family influences on it have been hypothesized from diverse research and theoretical perspectives. This paper focused on family influences on drug abuse tendency among secondary school students in Yakurr Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State, Nigeria. A questionnaire with a reliability coefficient range of 0.78 and 0.85 was used to collect data from 250 respondents while the t-test statistics was utilized for data analysis. The findings revealed that family type and family size were significant predictors of drug abuse tendency among secondary school students. These results provided support for families to monitor and control their children in order to curtail their involvement in inappropriate drug use; the encouragement of monogamous family type (which is closely knitted and replete with love and affection) over and above polygamous family type while a smaller family size which is easier to manage should be preferred to a large one.

In Nigeria, electronic-learning (e-learning) resources have emerged as a modern tool for enhancing the quality of delivery and acquisition of education content. Yet, hardly has there been any meaningful research report on the application of this innovative and invaluable tool to counselling education service delivery efforts. This study, ‘awareness and utilization of e-learning resources by trainee Counsellors in counselling education in Calabar, Nigeria’ was designed to fill this literature gap. A structured questionnaire with reliability index of 0.83 titled “Awareness and Utilization of E-learning Questionnaire (AUEQ)” was used to collect data from a sample of 300 students and analyzed using t-test statistics. The results of the study indicate that while the awareness of e-learning resources by trainee Counsellors was generally high, their rating in terms of availability, currency, adequacy and quality of these resources within their schools was rather very low. The results also indicated that the extent of utilization of e-learning was also very insignificant. Furthermore, the outcomes of the study show inter-class, inter-school and inter-gender differences with regards to both awareness of availability and utilization of e-learning resources. Based on the findings, it was recommended that Universities and other higher education settings should be equipped with current, functional and adequate e-learning resources for enhanced service delivery. It was also recommended that both counsellor educators and trainees should be systematically trained in appropriate skills required for the use of e-learning facilities. It was further recommended that assurance of constant and adequate power supply should be improved upon to enhance the use of e-learning in our Universities.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) infection and spread are preventable, and TB disease is curable depending on individual and community knowledge of causes of the disease, mode of prevention and cure. An earlier educational intervention carried out in Akwa Ibom State (AKS) of Nigeria in 2006 created awareness of the disease and improved utilization of orthodox medical facilities of residents in 34 communities who had symptoms of TB. Objective: The overall aim of this program is to reduce the burden of TB disease in 18 communities of AKS through educational intervention, TB case detection and integration into the State National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), as well as build laboratory capacity to improve TB case detection and control. Methods: Prior to the educational intervention in each community, standard pretested questionnaires were administered to residents to test their knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning TB. Information about causes, symptoms and prevention of TB was disseminated in community town halls, churches, markets and schools. Individuals who were coughing for three weeks or more were investigated for TB following clinical examination by a physician. Three sputum samples (spot-morning-spot) were obtained from each individual and examined microscopically for the presence of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) using the Ziehl–Neelson staining technique. Those with positive AFB results were integrated into the existing NTBLCP treatment facilities for immediate commencement of Directly-Observed Therapy Short Course (DOTS). Treatment outcome was monitored by retesting patients' sputum after two, five and seven months. Two new laboratories were facilitated while existing laboratory capacity was built by providing higher resolution microscopes, power generating plants, refrigerators, locally-fabricated incinerators and furnishing of staff offices. The program was facilitated by a public–private partnership. Effective Health Care Alliance Research Programme (EHCARP-Nigeria), in collaboration with Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation and Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (NNPC/MPN) Joint Venture, utilized health personnel from the Akwa Ibom State NTBLCP who conducted laboratory testing and supervised the treatment. Results: The 916 responses to the questionnaires showed that 65.3% (549/841) correctly identified that TB is airborne, and 86% (749/871) were aware that TB could be cured by anti-TB medication. Responses to care-seeking attitudes were provided by 123 respondents. Of this number, fear of stigmatization was the reason for 31% (38) seeking care in unorthodox facilities, while 43.1% (53) did not believe that orthodox medicine could cure their symptoms. Of the 374 detected cases, 9 did not commence treatment. Hence, 365 were placed on DOTS; 36 defaulted, while 11 either died or failed to convert after the seventh month. At the end of month 8, cure was achieved for 87.1% (318). Conclusion: Although the previous intervention may have contributed to the good knowledge about TB and care-seeking attitudes displayed by respondents in the communities, sustaining active case finding through public–private partnership can go a long way to reduce TB burden, especially in rural communities where healthcare systems are generally weak or inadequate. Adequate funding of TB control activities is critical in eliminating TB as a public health problem, and the private sector participation such as this is a welcome development.

This study investigated the influence of some psychosocial factors on occupational aspirations of secondary school students. Specific factors examined in the study were self-concept, gender and parental role. Three hypotheses of the study were tested at 0.05 levels of significance while a questionnaire with a reliability index of 0.815 was used for data collection. Independent t-test statistics was utilized to analyze data from two hundred (200) respondents within the context of Ex-post facto research design. Result of the study revealed a significant influence of the three key variables (self-concept, parental factor and gender) on occupational aspirations of respondents in the study. Based on the findings, it was recommended that occupational information should be made available to young people as early as in the primary school years so as to exert positive moderating influence on their aspirations with a view to avoiding wrong occupations that do not reflect their unique needs, interests and abilities.

This paper considers employers’ perspective on personal change management and adaptation characteristics relative to young people's career development and employability in Cross River State, Nigeria. Subjects were 210 employers (112 males and 98 females), with varying years of working experience. These were drawn from 66 public and private work settings in the State. The subjects were required to specify and rate those personal traits they consider important with regard to enhancing young people's career development and employability within the context of increasingly complex and rapidly changing workplace. Actual numbers and percentages were used to present results. Findings indicated that: continuous learning, networking, teamwork, persistence, planfulness, risk-taking, optimism, and flexibility were most popular qualities considered by subjects. However, goal-orientation, continuous learning and responsiveness were rated highest in terms of their relative importance. Counselling implications were discussed.

Background: Despite the supply of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) drugs to public health facilities in Nigeria, the uptake of these drugs appear to have remained suboptimal with low improvement in childhood morbidity and mortality. Aim: To use a controlled study to estimate the factors affecting the uptake of ACT in public health facilities in Cross River State (CRS), Nigeria. Methods: The design of this study was cross sectional analytical. The study was carried out in two sites, Akpabuyo (experimental) and Obudu (control) Local Government Areas (LGA) in the south and northern parts of CRS, Nigeria, respectively. Multidisciplinary research team consists of health professionals, biomedical and social scientists who worked with staff of the target facilities. Validated semi-structured questionnaires were administered by trained interviewers on respondents of consecutive households selected by multi-stage sampling procedure. Results: A total of 1250 households (588 in Akpabuyo and 662 in Obudu LGAs) were assessed. More informants in Obudu had formal education than in Akpabuyo (p<0.0001). Mortality of U5 children was higher in Akpabuyo. Stepwise regression analysis showed that farmers (p = 0.009) and people without formal education (p = <0.0001) were less likely than older age group (p = <0.0001) to access anti-malaria drugs in Akpabuyo. Religious beliefs (p=0.003) also predicted uptake of ACTs in Obudu. Conclusion: Informants' occupation, age, education and religious beliefs were key determinants of uptake of ACTs in public health facilities in Nigeria. We recommend targeted malaria education programmes to explore the belief systems in treating fevers in children in this population.

This study examines reactions from educationstakeholders in South-South States of Nigeria on issues facing curriculum design and implementation especially at secondary school level. One hundred and fifty (150) participants (stakeholders) were purposefully sampled for the study. Qualitative technique was used to elicit information from participants. The qualitative method used was Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Participants were divided into six group comprising of 25 persons each. Group discussions were based on specific theme including curriculum contents, secondary and university education objectives, national needs of secondary and university education, teaching methods, curriculum practice/implementation and evaluation techniques. Information from participants revealed that the curriculum content, pedagogy, evaluation techniques among others in secondary schools are inadequate, unrealistic and should be reviewed. We recommended the urgent review of secondary school curriculum, proper funding of education and provision of school physical facilities as a panacea to eminent collapse of secondary education in Nigeria.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of perception of the University organizational retirement plans on workers’ attitude to work. The study which adopted survey design had a total of two hundred persons who participated as respondents. The result of data analysis revealed that workers had very low perception of their universities’ organizational retirement plans. It also revealed that workers’ attitude to work was largely unfavourable. There was, however, a significant influence of perception on attitude to work across all the categories of workers. Implications were discussed and recommendations made.

This study sought to find out the extent to which some psycho cultural and physiological factors affects the attitudinal disposition to HIV/AIDS preventive practices among in-school adolescents in Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the composite and relative contribution of the following psycho cultural and physiological variables (gender, age, traditional beliefs about HIV/AIDS and sexuality attitudes), to adolescence response to HIV/AIDS preventive practices in Cross River State, Nigeria. Data was generated from 316 fifth year students in 12 secondary schools in Cross River state, Nigeria using a questionnaire. Result of data analysis, using multiple regression procedure indicated that only two factors were effective in explaining adolescents’ response to HIV/AIDS preventive practices. Traditional beliefs about HIV/AIDS made the greatest contribution to adolescents’ response to HIV/AIDS preventive practices, followed by sexuality attitudes. Age and gender were not significant. The implications of the research findings are addressed.

Abstract The problem of human trafficking has continued to plague the Nigerian society generally and the southsouth zone in particular. The increasing rates of its practices and its associated health problems such as HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases are really causes for serious concern. This study was conducted with 1000 (one thousand) civil servants in government ministries from the south-south cities of Calabar, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Yenegoa, Asaba and Benin city, to find out how demographic variables such as age, gender and residential location influence their perception of human trafficking, since all accusing fingers seems to point at this direction. Results of the data analyses using independent t-test revealed a significantly positive relationship. Therefore, an aggressive public enlightenment campaign should be embarked upon in order to arouse an objective perception of the issue.

Survey data collected from one thousand secondary and primary school age cohort on the verge of graduation were analysed to determine the perception of their vocational and labour information needs as well as the extent to which the perception of these needs were coloured by sex differences. The results of this study indicate high levels of vocational and labour market needs amongst both primary and secondary near-school leavers. The results of this study also show no significant differences that exist in the mean response scores of male and female primary and secondary school near-leavers on their perception regarding their vocational and labour market needs. Implications were discussed and recommendations made.

Rapid changes in the Nigerian economy in recent years have brought about obvious transformation in the labour market and in the nature of many jobs. Using questionnaire data obtained from three hundred secondary and tertiary institution’s students, this study explored the extent to which these young people are appreciating this trend through finding out their level of occupational and labour market information awareness. The results showed that most of the students are not aware of recent occupational and labour market information trends especially at the secondary level. The commonest sources of this information available to them are friends, parents, mass media and little effort by the school/counselor. Suggestions have been offered for increased level of awareness of information on occupations among the youths.

The act of parenting is the bedrock upon which a child\'s future behaviour and what the child eventually becomes depend. Various styles of parenting exists and the efficacy of any depends on whether it is able to shape the child towards a useful living or pushes him into the path of trafficking. This article therefore, deals with what trafficking in persons means, the concept of parenting, various styles of parenting in relation to trafficking in persons then recommendations are made to serve as a way forward.International Journal of Policy and Development Studies Vol. 3 2007: pp. 41-49

Proper nurturing of children is the primary responsibility of parents. Parents have inescapable responsibilities when bringing up their children. These responsibilities are automatically conferred on both parents of the child right from the child’s birth. They are expected to guide and modify the behaviour of their child to conform with the acceptable behaviours in the society as well as participate in activities aimed at preventing crime or disorder being committed by their children. Ironically, some parents have failed in these roles and functions. They adopt too much permissive and laissez-faire parenting styles that inadvertently make their children vulnerable to anti-social behaviours. This paper focuses on parents as the catalysts for children’s behaviour. The rationale for children’s anti-social behaviours are highlighted as well as some of the corrupt behaviours parents exhibit. The root causes of these behaviours are brought to the limelight and suggestions proffered for improving the task of parenting.

Abstract This study investigated the work role attachment and retirement intentions of public school teachers in Calabar, Nigeria. It was motivated by the observation that most public school workers lack plans for retirement and as such do not prepare for it until it suddenly dawns on them. Few empirical studies were reviewed. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection from a sample of 200 teachers. Independent t-test was used to test the stated hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that the committed/attached/involved workers have retirement intention to take a part-time job after retirement. The uncommitted/unattached/uninvolved workers have intention to retire earlier than those attached to their work. It was recommended that pre-retirement counselling should be adopted to assist teachers to develop good retirement plans.

This study is a path modeling, which examines the effect and magnitude of four socio-cultural indicators on adolescents' response to HIV/AIDS preventive practices in Nigerian setting. Questionnaire data were generated from 316 fifth year students in 12 secondary schools in Cross River State, Nigeria. Result of data analysis, using path analyses procedures indicated that only three socio-cultural factors were effective in explaining adolescents' response to HIV/AIDS preventive practices. Cultural indicators and sexuality attitudes had the most significant influence on adolescents' response to HIV/AIDS preventive practices. In all, 56.5% of the total effect of the variables was direct, while 43.5% was indirect. The implications of the research findings are addressed.