Levels of Knowledge and Prevalence of Child Abuse among Parents in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria

Background: Child abuse remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, undermining the rights to survival, development, protection, and participation enshrined in the Child Rights Act (CRA) of 2003. Despite legal frameworks, socio-cultural norms and economic pressures in semi-urban areas like Egor Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State, perpetuate abusive practices such as street hawking, child labor, and corporal punishment. Objective: This study examined the influence of parental knowledge of the CRA on the prevalence of child abuse in Egor LGA, assessing awareness levels and the extent of abusive practices. Method: A descriptive survey research design was adopted, sampling 400 parents in Egor LGA using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.92, and analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, presented in frequency tables. Results: Findings revealed a high level of parental knowledge, with 89.6% recognizing various forms of child abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect) and 100% acknowledging the importance of education in abuse prevention. However, 89.6% reported child abuse, including street hawking and harsh discipline, as prevalent, indicating a gap between knowledge and practice influenced by socio-cultural norms and economic necessity. Conclusion: Despite high awareness of the CRA and child abuse, the persistence of abusive practices in Egor LGA underscores the impact of cultural acceptance and economic constraints, coupled with weak enforcement of the CRA. Unique Contribution: This study provided fresh insights into the knowledge-practice divide in child abuse prevention, highlighting the role of socio-cultural and economic factors in undermining legal protections, offering valuable guidance for tailored interventions in semi-urban Nigerian contexts. Key Recommendation: Comprehensive community-based programs, including reorientation of parents, community leaders, and caregivers, alongside economic support and strengthened CRA enforcement, are essential to reduce child abuse and promote compliance with child rights protections.