Adoption practices in Enugu, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE The study of the pattern and outcome of adoptions in Enugu, Nigeria in order to determine the challenges in the emerging adoption practice in the state. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of adoption practices in Enugu Nigeria based on data from the National women's Commission. The National Women's Commission is the statutory body responsible for the documentation and follow-up of adoption in Enugu State. The characteristics of adopters and adoptees, types of adoption, prevalence and outcome of the adoptions between January 1991 and December 2001 were examined. Percentages were used for descriptive statistics and student's t-test for comparing means at 5% significance levels. RESULTS There were sixty-one adoptions in the eleven-year period giving a prevalence of 5.5 adoptions per year. Eighteen (29.5%) kinship adoptions and 43 (70.5%) adoptions of abandoned babies and children were recorded. The mean age of the adoptees was 4.2 years and 33.3% of them were 5 years and above. All adopters were Nigerians but 32.0% of them resided overseas. The commonest age range at adoption was 4-49 years and the peak duration of marriage prior to adoption was 15-19 years. Most adopters (84.9%) had at least secondary school education. No adoption was annulled and there was no recorded death of adoptees. Post care monitoring was found to be incomprehensive. CONCLUSION The growing practice of adoption in Enugu is laudable but post adoption care is poor. Emphasis on post adoption care is vital in developing countries where complex social and logistic factors militate against it. In infertility management early institution of counseling on adoption would allow couples ample time for decision making and preparation for adoption, as well as encourage adoption when couples are still young.