Waning Cultural Values and Adolescent Chastity: A Study of Arugba in Nigeria

The rapid increase in moral decadence among adolescents has become a recognized social problem in Nigeria. The study focuses on the role of cultural values and how it has helped to promote chastity. It examines the perception of female adolescents and their parents towards chastity and also the role media play in upholding the value. Survey and in-depth interview were employed to gather data. 160 Respondents are drawn from Osogbo Local Government in Osun State, Nigeria. Findings reveal a decline in cultural values and practices over time and this is linked to the impact of westernization on value placed on female adolescent chastity. The study revealed that the media has really not helped by portraying pictures or videos that encourage adolescents to remain chaste. As much as culture influences our way of life, the role of the family in maintaining moral sanctity cannot be over emphasized as the family is the primary agent of socialization. Keywords: Chastity, Adolescents, Waning Culture value

Barreras a la utilización de los servicios de salud mental en el sureste de Nigeria: las implicaciones de género

Ease of access to healthcare facilities was presented as a major factor in the use of healthcare services in developing countries, particularly Nigeria. Many interacting factors, including access, availability, gender referral practices, and help-seeking preferences, affect the use of mental healthcare services. Although there are studies on the use of mental health services, gender differentials have received little attention. Therefore, this study examined gender dimensions in the use of mental health services in South West, Nigeria, using triangulated qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. The data were based on a cross-sectional community survey and four neuropsychiatric hospitals in Nigeria’s Ogun State. The sample was 967 randomly selected adults. Five in-depth interviews were conducted among caregivers of mentally ill persons (PLWMI) residing in the study area (those receiving treatment and those recovering). Using descriptive and inferential statistics, quantitative data were analyzed while content was analyzed. Results from this study showed that the respondents’ average age was 22.2 years. Of the total, 52.2 percent were female, while 45.8 percent were male. On the use of mental health services, 26.4 percent and 73.6 percent of male and female respondents, respectively, indicated that the use of mental health services was hampered by funding. From the study, it can be concluded that women are more intoned with the reality of their dependents’ disease condition as they bear more of both the financial (73.6 percent) and emotional burden of managing people living with mental illness (PLWMI).La facilidad de acceso a los centros de atención de salud se presentó como un factor importante en el uso de los servicios de atención sanitaria en los países en desarrollo, particularmente en Nigeria. Muchos factores que interactúan, incluido el acceso, la disponibilidad, las prácticas de referencia de género y las preferencias de búsqueda de ayuda, afectan el uso de los servicios de salud mental. Aunque existen estudios sobre el uso de los servicios de salud mental, las diferencias de género han recibido poca atención. Por lo tanto, este estudio examinó las dimensiones de género en el uso de los servicios de salud mental en el suroeste de Nigeria. Se utilizaron métodos triangulares de recopilación de datos cualitativos y cuantitativos. Los datos se basaron en una encuesta comunitaria transversal y en la información obtenida de cuatro hospitales neuropsiquiátricos en el estado de Ogun en Nigeria. Se seleccionaron aleatoriamente 967 adultos. Se realizaron cinco entrevistas en profundidad entre los cuidadores de personas con enfermedades mentales (PLWMI, por sus siglas en inglés) que residen en el área de estudio (las que reciben tratamiento y las que se recuperan). Utilizando estadísticas descriptivas e inferenciales, se analizaron datos cuantitativos mientras se analizó el contenido. Los resultados de este estudio mostraron que la edad promedio de los encuestados fue de 22.2 años. Del total, el 52.2% eran mujeres, mientras que el 45.8% eran hombres. En cuanto al uso de los servicios de salud mental, el 26.4% y el 73,6% de los hombres y mujeres encuestados indicaron que el uso de los servicios de salud mental se vio obstaculizado por la financiación. Del estudio, se puede concluir que las mujeres están más en sintonía con la realidad de la enfermedad de sus dependientes, ya que soportan más la carga financiera (73.6%) y emocional de manejar a las personas que viven con una enfermedad mental (PLWMI, por sus siglas en inglés)

Parent work Status as a Push Factor for Child Labour: Implications on Schooling in Nigeria

Child labour is one of the global issues occupying the forefront of national development agendas. While the traditionalist believe it is capable of augmenting family income for family upkeep and serves as alternative means of livelihood, it is adjudged in this modern era as impediment to child schooling, violation of child rights, engenders vicious cycle of poverty, and deprivation in health and social status. The study therefore investigated the predictors of children’s involvement in child labour, its impact on school enrolment and quality of education in Nigeria. It employed only quantitative research technique. The respondents were selected using purposive and accidental sampling techniques. The opinion of 130 working children (between the ages of 5 and 14) were sought about the likely predictors for working and its impact on schooling. The findings from the study revealed that there are significant relationships between parents’ educational attainment, parent’s occupation and the practice of child labour (X2 = 25.89, P = 0.0001). The study attributed poor school performance as an adverse effect of child labour as indicated by the working school children. The study concludes that parents must take responsibility for their children while government enforces laws against child labour and the implementation of free compulsory education for all children

Variations in Family Attitudes towards Coping with People Living with Mental Illness

BACKGROUND: The major challenge faced in Nigeria regarding the care of people living with mental illness are a stigma, caregiver burden and financial aid. This has led to high premature deaths and has also hindered the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 3 target 4. In an attempt to find lasting solutions to increased mortality caused by mental illness, it is important to evaluate family attitudes towards people living with mental illness.AIM: To examine variations in family attitudes towards coping with people living with mental illness in Nigeria.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty In-Depth Interview (IDI) were conducted among caregivers of people living with mental illness (those presently receiving treatment and those recovering). During all the interview sessions, field notes were taken. Responses from interviewees were transcribed and analysed with the aid of ‘systematic-content analysis.RESULTS: It found out that family members of people living with mental illness or caregivers usually suffer from stress and stigma, which affects adherence to treatment.CONCLUSION: Caregivers must have sufficient knowledge and support to assume the responsibilities of caring for the mentally ill, leading to recurrence. The caregiver remains in contact with professional healthcare workers and helps the mentally ill with decision-making and matters affecting their daily life

Are Men’s Reproductive Health Problems and Sexual Behavior Predictors of Welfare?

The study examined men’s reproductive health problems and sexual behavior and their implications for men’s welfare in Nigeria. It used the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data set of 2013. The analysis used only male recode files, representing 17,359 males. The dependent variable is the computed wealth index, which was selected as proxy for welfare condition. Analysis involved univariate and multivariate levels. The findings indicated that 49.3% of the respondents currently have more than one sexual partner. The total lifetime sexual partner index identifies 70.2% of the men interviewed have had at least two sexual partners in their lifetime. It revealed that men who experience reproductive health challenges, such as sexually transmitted infections and genital ulcer, are 44% and 93%, respectively, less likely to enjoy good welfare condition. It also indicated that men in urban area are 7.256 times more likely to enjoy good welfare condition compared with their rural counterparts. There is a negative association between total lifetime sexual partnerships and exposure to good welfare. The study concludes that social workers, marriage counselors, other health personnel, and policy makers need to focus on the practice of multiple sexual partnership and reproductive health diseases as major determinants of men’s welfare. The authors suggest that the index of welfare should include reproductive health issues and indicators of sexual behavior. Also, there is need for the establishment of specialized reproductive health care services and centers that are accessible to all men for effective servicing of reproductive health needs of men in the country

Drug Use and High-risk Sexual Behavior among School-Going Adolescents in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Sexual risk behavior and drug abuse among adolescents and youths remained perpetual topical issues of focus in most developmental programs related to developing countries, especially in Nigeria, where the school-going adolescents constitute more than half of the youths. The high level of teenage pregnancy and sexual violence such as abuses and other harmful trajectories including STIs and HIV is increasingly reported than the pre-2000s. AIM: This study focuses on underscoring the variation in risky sexual behavior among school-going users and non-users of drugs. It also analyzed the predisposing factors of drug use among school-going adolescents in Nigeria. METHODS: In combination with problem behavior theory, the research draws data (n = 11,799) from the 2012 National HIV and AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey (NARHS Plus II) collated by the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria with support from the Department for International Development and United States Agency for International Development, to underscore the self-reported sexual risk behavior among students who are users and non-users of drugs. RESULTS: The result revealed that 32.5% (male) and 33.4% (female) use drugs. More than half of the respondents reported that they have engaged in sexual intercourse, 27.3% (male) and 31.8% (female) have had ≥2 lifetime sexual partners. There is higher odds ratio (OR) of risky sexual behavior among students that have ever used drugs or taken alcohol (OR = 2.2, 95% CI [1.8–2.8]) for male and (OR = 2.1, 95% CI [0.83–2.03]) for female. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that continued exposure of school-going youths to drugs or alcohol may pose serious challenge of risky sexual behavior and also severe threat to initiatives on zero new HIV infections or zero new AIDS death in Nigeria. The authors recommend that campaign to discourage drug or alcohol use should be intensified and introduced to all schools

Awareness of Breast and Cervical Cancer among Women in the Informal Sector in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: There are no general consensuses on why the lifetime risk of dying from breast and cervical cancer in African is several times higher than that of developed countries. However, a notable window of opportunity for prevention and treatment are often wasted where there are little or no awareness and low level of screening. AIM: To specifically highlight the awareness, knowledge and determinants of participation in the screening exercise for possible prevention or control of the diseases. To also provide insights on the development of contextual and relevant timely detection for effective early interventions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in southern and northern geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The respondents, which consisted of 1,023 women aged 15-49 years, completed a 116-item questionnaire assessing the correlation between cancer awareness and participation in screening. Nineteen, In-depth interviews were also conducted for this study. The outcome measured included awareness of breast and cervical cancer, how it can be prevented or detected, and the availability and actual participation in screening exercises. RESULTS: While women are familiar with breast cancer, little is known about cervical cancer, and the awareness of the former is not correlated with participation in screening. The lack of enthusiasm to seek screening exercise is rooted in three key factors: lack of specific information, belief, economic and inadequate screening facilities. CONCLUSION: The study thus recommends that policies and programs aimed at the breast and cervical cancers awareness and early intervention should address the underlying problems

Consumers’ Knowledge and Use of Nutritional Labelling Information in Lagos, Nigeria

Nutrition labelling is a topical issue, being a vital aid that shapes consumers’ food choices and could be an efficient tool for the prevention of consumer vulnerability to diet-related diseases such as cancer, high blood pressure, hypertension, and obesity. However, data on the public use of nutritional labels as an information source on nutritional properties of foods and health claims, especially as it relates to Nigeria, are not popular in the literature. This study seeks to examine consumers’ use of labelling information: knowledge; attitude, and practice. A cross-sectional study with the aid of a survey elicited information from 374 randomly selected shoppers in five shopping malls in Lagos State. Data were analysed using the T-test method. Findings show that while the majority of the respondents (70.6%) read the nutritional information, only 64.9% understand the information presented on food labels. The study also reveals that the majority of the respondents (57.5%) do not know that information on food labels should be presented in the English language before any other language as recommended by the National Agency Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). While 57.9% of consumers have a positive attitude towards using food labels, 58% of the respondents’ buying decisions are influenced by food labels. The study concludes that consequent upon the importance of nutritional knowledge and wellbeing, consumers of Fast Moving Goods in Nigeria are beginning to consciously pay attention to nutritional labels. The study recommends that producers of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) products in Nigeria should adopt the total disclosure of ingredients and nutritional content of their products. Also, regulatory bodies in charge of pre-packaged food products in Nigeria (NAFDAC) should go the whole way and make nutritional labelling mandatory

Perception and Participation of Nigerian Students in Deviant Sexual Activities

Although the history of sadomasochism now known as BDSM (bondage and discipline, dominance and submission and sadism and masochism) could be traced to the 19th century, it began to gain popularity through mainstream media in 2011. Despite the plethora of information in social media and the extent of practices in Nigeria, academic and reliable statistics are not available or are rarely encountered. BDSM has been portrayed by the media to consist of the use of physical torture, verbal and emotional humiliation to derive sexual satisfaction. This study explored the practices of BDSM activities among youths’ especially undergraduate students.  A cross sectional survey was carried out in Lagos State using a structured questionnaire that was administered among undergraduate in three universities. The questionnaire evaluated participation in three BDSM categories - Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission and Sadism and Masochism. Data were analysed using univariate and bivariate statistical techniques. The result indicated that there is a prevalence of BDSM activities among youths. Also, participants in the older age groups are fewer than others. Dominance and Submission records the highest frequency among others. The prevalence rate between males and females was comparable as there was no significant difference

Consumers’ Knowledge and Use of Nutritional Labelling Information in Lagos, Nigeria

Nutrition labelling is a topical issue, being a vital aid that shapes consumers’ food choices and could be an efficient tool for the prevention of consumer vulnerability to diet-related diseases such as cancer, high blood pressure, hypertension, and obesity. However, data on the public use of nutritional labels as an information source on nutritional properties of foods and health claims, especially as it relates to Nigeria, are not popular in the literature. This study seeks to examine consumers’ use of labelling information: knowledge; attitude, and practice. A cross-sectional study with the aid of a survey elicited information from 374 randomly selected shoppers in five shopping malls in Lagos State. Data were analysed using the T-test method. Findings show that while the majority of the respondents (70.6%) read the nutritional information, only 64.9% understand the information presented on food labels. The study also reveals that the majority of the respondents (57.5%) do not know that information on food labels should be presented in the English language before any other language as recommended by the National Agency Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). While 57.9% of consumers have a positive attitude towards using food labels, 58% of the respondents’ buying decisions are influenced by food labels. The study concludes that consequent upon the importance of nutritional knowledge and wellbeing, consumers of Fast Moving Goods in Nigeria are beginning to consciously pay attention to nutritional labels. The study recommends that producers of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) products in Nigeria should adopt the total disclosure of ingredients and nutritional content of their products. Also, regulatory bodies in charge of pre-packaged food products in Nigeria (NAFDAC) should go the whole way and make nutritional labelling mandatory