Background/statement of problem: Family planning (FP) utilization is important for preventing unwanted pregnancy and achieving optimal reproductive health. However, the modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) among women of childbearing age is still low in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), particularly in Nigeria, despite interventions to increase access and utilization. The low mCPR has been associated with a high prevalence of unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS, and high maternal and infant mortality in LMIC. Despite existing studies associating high family planning utilization to urban settings relative to the rural areas, the socioeconomic inequality in urban settings, especially among adolescents in urban slums has been given less research attention. This study examines the role of socioeconomic inequality on family planning utilization among female adolescents of various ethnic backgrounds in urban slums in Nigeria.Methods: The study utilized data from the Adolescent Childbearing Survey (2019). A total sample of 2,035 female adolescents of ages 14–19 years who were not pregnant at the time of the study and were resident in selected slums. Associations between socioeconomic inequalities—measured by wealth index, social status, and education—and modern contraceptive use were examined using relative and slope inequality indices, and logistic regression models.Results: The results show that only 15% of the female adolescents in the North, and 19% in the South reported modern contraceptive use. While wealth index and education were important predictors of FP use among adolescents in southern urban slums, only education was important in the North. However, the relative and slope inequality indices further indicate that adolescents with no education and those in the lowest social status group use much fewer contraceptives compared to their counterparts with higher wealth and social statuses. Those with secondary/higher education and the highest social status group, respectively, were more disadvantaged in terms of FP utilization (Education: RII = 1.86, p < 0.05; 95% C.I. = 1.02–2.71; Social Status: RII = 1.97, p < 0.05; 95% C.I. = 1.26–2.68) with results showing a more marked level of disparity when disaggregated by North and South.Conclusion: The persistent socioeconomic inequalities among female adolescents in Nigeria, especially those in the urban slums, have continued to limit their utilization. Policy measure in education, communication and subsidized contraceptives should be intensified for vulnerable female adolescents in the slums.

Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) are often hindered in their quest to access quality healthcare. This has a significant effect towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal SDG Target 3.7. to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services. This study is focused on identifying some of the demand side barriers in accessing health care services, particularly among young girls who are survivors of SGBV within intimate relationships in poor urban areas in Nigeria. The study used an ethnographic approach to solicit information from health providers, adolescents, and young women (AYW) in 10 low-income communities in two major cities in Nigeria, Ibadan and Lagos. Findings showed that there are structural limitations within the primary health care (PHC) system that posed a great challenge for survivors of SGBV to access services. Some of these include non-existing counseling services, a lack of rehabilitation centers, poor referral, and a lack of training for health providers in handling survivors of SGBV. There is also a lack of skills among health service providers that have negative influence on support services to survivors of SGBV. On the demand side, poor knowledge of possible health seeking pathways, a lack of education, and social support are barriers to accessing appropriate services among adolescent and young SGBV survivors. The study concluded that integrated services at the PHC level should include adequate and timely treatment for survivors of SGBV and targeted intervention to upscale skills and knowledge of health care providers.

Background: Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a significant issue in Nigeria. In 2015, the Federal Government of Nigeria enacted the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) to address all forms of violence. This study explored the challenges faced by stakeholders in implementing VAPP for the reduction of SGBV in Nigeria. Methods: Qualitative data were collected from 29 state and non-state actors, including government officials, police and lawyers in Lagos and Oyo States through informant interviews and using normalisation process theory. Data collection involved a review of policies and programmes and their experience regarding the implementation of VAPP. Findings: The implementation of the VAPP Act faces several challenges, including prolonged delays in the family court system, insufficient human resources, bureaucratic obstacles, impunity, overcrowded shelters and inadequate protection for survivors and witnesses. These issues often lead to delays and stalling in securing justice for survivors. Conclusion: The effective implementation of antiviolence laws requires overcoming significant obstacles. Collaboration among stakeholders, adequate funding and resources are critical to ensuring timely justice and reducing SGBV in Nigeria.

This study looks at the complexity of sexual negotiation in the context of gender inequality and power inequalities in patriarchal societies, using Nigeria as an example. It emphasizes the necessity of knowing the risks and problems that adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) confront in these contexts, including their vulnerability to intimate partner abuse. The study dives into issues surrounding the negotiation of safe sex among AGYW and its impact on the possibility of intimate partner abuse using an anthropological approach and qualitative methodologies such as in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Some of the most important things that were found were the environmental factors that make the power dynamics between AGYW and their partners unequal, the prevalence of androcentric bias in sexual decision-making and family planning, and how these power struggles lead to gender-based violence, such as physical harm and injury. The study recommends assisting young people in developing a culture of respect in sexual relationships and negotiations, which aligns with Nigeria's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.6.1 and is critical for promoting equality and protecting the well-being of AGYW.

Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) are often hindered in their quest to access quality healthcare. This could complicate the achievement of the laudable SDG Target 3.7. The study used an ethnographic approach to solicit information from health providers, adolescents, and young women (AYW) in 10 communities from Lagos and Ibadan; two major cities in Nigeria. Findings indicated that the structural system of services provided in the health services at the primary healthcare level was limited, which posed a great challenge in AYW’s utilization of services for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Some of the challenges identified by health providers included non-existing counseling services, rehabilitation centers, referral problems, and a lack of training for health providers in handling victims of SGBV. The study provided the context of the health providers’ inadequacy and structural problem of health services in providing comprehensive support services to victims of SGBV like adolescents and young women in the slum setting. This poses a barrier to the utilization of services by the survivors. Necessary inclusive services that will meet the need of the victims of SGBV should be in place at primary healthcare centers close to the people in the community for accessibility.

Background: In Nigeria, many young girls are engaged in commercial sex work as a means of livelihood and support of dependent relatives. Although studies have documented some of the violence related issues among commercial sex workers, the plight of adolescent and young sex workers particularly in urban slums may be different in context and depth. Objective: This study explored the experiences of violence among young female sex workers and their coping strategies in urban slums in Ibadan and Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.Design: The study applied an interpretive phenomenological approach through in-depth interviews. Settings: Young female sex workers ages (15-24 years) who reported having experienced violence were recruited. Data were transcribed using a phenomenological framework analysis. Participants’ reports based on life experiences were identified: lived experience “daily brothel life experience”; sources of violence such as law enforcement agents’ intermittent raids; violence experience with clients who often demanded sexual acts beyond the agreed scope; and coping strategies employed to mitigate the challenges.Participants: 12 participants completed the interviews out the 20 initially contacted. Results: The results showed that the major motivation for engaging in commercial sex work was for economic reasons in order to sustain their livelihood. The risks involved, exposure to violence and other social vices were enormous.Conclusion: In conclusion, the study raised the need for targeted interventions to mitigate violence against young sex workers. Working with law enforcement officials and health care providers may be the most promising next steps. It should also be made a human rights and public health priority.