STUDIES ON ANTECEDENT FACTORS PROMOTING BABY FACTORY BUSINESS AND ITS PROLIFERATION IN NIGERIA

*Udochi M. Nwosu

ABSTRACT

Baby factory (BF) is an emerging public health nuisance involving human organ harvesting, breeding, kidnapping, trafficking, adoption and abuse of mother and child health. It was first documented in 2006 by UNESCO as occurring in only four Eastern states in Nigeria. Presently, BF business has proliferated into almost all the 36 sates of Nigeria. The aim of the study is to identify factors promoting BF business and its rapid proliferation in Nigeria and suggest ways of stopping the nuisance. A descriptive survey was carried out in three health institutions in Abia State, Nigeria. Doctors and nurses in each of the institution were systematically selected from the payroll register. A sample size of 400 respondents was calculated systematically using sampling interval of two. Data were collected using a 22 item questionnaire designed in 5 points Likert scale rating. Data were analyzed using percentages. Chi-square statistic was used in testing the 22 items for statistical significance at alpha level of 0.05. Factors promoting BF business and its proliferation were broadly categorized into four; those traceable to government actions or inactions P<0.05, those attributable to the society P<0.05, family P<0.05, and personal life style P<0.05. Efforts to stop baby factory business and its proliferation should start by eradicating the identified factors that significantly contributed to its promotion and proliferation.

Keywords: Factors, Nigeria, Baby Factory, Promotion, Proliferation.