How wealthy are identified orphans and vulnerable children in Lagos, Nigeria?

Oyindamola Yusuf, University of Ibadan
Temitayo Odusote, USAID, Lagos
Oluwasanmi Iyabode, Local Partners for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (LOPIN)
Joanna Nwosu, USAID, Lagos
Tessie Phillips-Ononye, USAID, Lagos
Ayo S. Adebowale, University of Ibadan
Elijah Bamgboye, University of Ibadan

This study determined the socio economic status of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in relation to service areas in Lagos Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five local government areas. A child vulnerability assessment form was used to identify 6656 households with OVC. Information was collected on socio demographic characteristics, and items relating to service areas: economy, education, food security, shelter, health and psychosocial. Socio economic status was measured by wealth index; developed using principal component analysis. Child access to healthcare services was lower (46.2%) among poorer females compared to males (50.0%). Access to legal protection was low in all socio economic categories for both males and females. Food insecurity was significantly higher in the lower wealth quintiles. The odds of adequate shelter increased with increasing wealth quintiles. There were considerable socio economic inequalities in the access of orphans and vulnerable children to the service areas.