Prevalence of Prostitution Among Female Undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated prevalence of prostitution among female undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The study was guided by four research questions and two  hypotheses. The research was anchored on Strain Theory and Rational Choice Theory. The mixed methods research design was used for this study and sample of 204 respondents was drawn. The questionnaire and In-Depth Interview (IDI) guide were the instruments used for data collection and the questionnaire was administered online through online google form while the IDI sessions were done on a face-to-face basis by the researcher with the aid of two research assistants. The quantitative data for the study was processed using SPSS software version 25. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution tables and simple percentages were used to analyse the quantitative data while narrative method of qualitative data analysis was used for analysing the qualitative data. The study hypotheses were tested using Chi-square (X2) inferential statistics. The study found that the extent to which female undergraduates engage in prostitution in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka is high. The study also found poverty as the major factor influencing involvement in  prostitution among female undergraduate students. The study further found that contraction of STD/STI is the major effect of prostitution on female undergraduate students in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Based on these findings, the study recommended among others that government at all levels and other stakeholders should award  scholarship and bursaries to indigent students as this will take their mind off prostitution as well as discourage them from indulging in prostitution.