Assessing Women Caregiving Role to People Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, West Africa

HIV/AIDS scourge remains high in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa such as Nigeria, which is home to about 3.3 million HIV positive individuals and represents the second largest burden of HIV/AIDS care, treatment and demand worldwide after South Africa. Anti-retroviral treatment options though a welcome development, has increased the number of people living with this chronic illness, and most of them depend on family members for physical and emotional support. Traditional gender norms in Nigeria ensure that legitimately, women and girls are the first options for caregiving roles. This mandatory role has in turn imposed psychosocial disruption in the lives of female family members in Calabar, Nigeria. This descriptive study utilized convenient sampling technique, Zarit Burden Interview scale and semistructured questionnaires for data collection (260 respondents), and data analyses were achieved using SPSS16.0. The study showed that a significant (p \u3c .05) proportion of women (91%) were involved in providing care, including children from 10 years and above. Caregivers had minimal social support which increased the burden they experienced. The need for policy that recognizes and supports female caregivers (“silent cornerstone”) to reduce burden and ensure high quality care of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Nigeria is advocated

Socio-Cultural Variables and Type of Birth Outcome of Women in Primary Health Care Facilities in Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria

This study determined the influence of socio-cultural variables on type of birth outcome of women in Primary Health Care facilities in Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria. The ex-post-facto design was adopted for the study. Seven research questions were formulated and seven null hypothesis were tested at .05 level of significance. The population of the study comprised 1200 pregnant and nursing mothers in four primary health care facilities in Ikot Ekpene. A simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 280 women for the study. A 72-item researcher-designed questionnaire entitled, “Socio-Cultural Variables and Birth Outcome Questionnaire (SCVBOQ)” was the instrument for data collection. Validation was ascertained while reliability was done using Cronbach Alpha Internal Consistency Statistics. Reliability Coefficient of .75 was obtained. Research questions were answered using the Mean Statistics while t-test statistical analysis was used to test the null hypotheses. Results revealed that women’s knowledge of health care services, attitude towards health care services, perception of the treatment methods, beliefs, residential locations and economic status had significant influence on type of birth outcome in Ikot Ekpene. It was recommended that frequent health campaigns should be carried out by health educators on the benefits of using Health Care facilities for delivery to prevent child birth complications and promote positive birth outcome in Ikot Ekpene. Keywords: Socio-cultural Variables, Birth Outcome, Women in Primary Health Care Facilities

Prevalence of Presbyopia, Spectacle Correction Coverage and Unmet Need, among Adults in Cross River State, Nigeria.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of presbyopia, spectacle correction coverage and its unmet needs among adults 35 years and above in the study area.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study design used multistage cluster random sampling procedure to select the 616 adults. Data was collected using an interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire. Visual acuity at distance and near was tested with Snellen’s chart at 6m and 40cm respectively. This was followed by eye examination. Presbyopia was defined as near visual acuity of N8 or worse. Relationship between variables were determined using chi square and multivariate analysis at 5% significant level.Results: The average age of participants was 48.1 years ± 10.4 (range, 35-88 years) and 330 (53.6 %) were males. The prevalence of presbyopia was 73.2% (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 69.5, 76.7). Multiple regression analysis showed that, female sex (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =1.58 (95% CI: 1.02, 2.38), older age (AOR =3.29 (95% CI: 1.02, 13.6), unemployment (β = 0.47, p = 0.016, AOR =1.59 (95% CI: 1.26, 4.55), lack of formal education (β = -3.67, p < 0.001, AOR =0.03 (95% CI: 0.007, 0.09) were significantly associated with presbyopia. The spectacle correction coverage and unmet presbyopic need were 40.8%, and 59.2% respectively.Conclusion: The Prevalence of presbyopia and unmet presbyopic correction were high among the participants. This can be addressed through awareness creation and provision of accessible and affordable primary eye care services in the communities

Parenting Practices among Mothers in Obubra, Cross River State, Nigeria: An Exploratory Study

INTRODUCTION: More than half of Nigeria’s children under the age of five are at risk of poor development that may be linked to parenting practices.  OBJECTIVE: This study explores parenting practices among mothers in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Using a Cross-Sectional descriptive design, focus group discussions were held at three communities in Obubra with mothers aged 18 and older. With a sample size of 19, each FGD lasted about 60-90 minutes. Audio tapes were transcribed and data were analyzed to generate themes. Ethical principles were duly observed. RESULTS: Themes influencing parenting included pre- and post-pregnancy support, social support from female family members, and religious, and cultural practices. Participants attended ante-natal clinics but some gave birth at home or at a Traditional Birth Attendant’s (TBA). Some believed that parenting skills are acquired as a child while observing one’s own mother, and practicing with younger siblings. Others said they acquired parenting skills while parenting their own children. Female family members helped mothers with everyday caregiving responsibilities. Corporal punishment was widely practiced. Other harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation were on the decline.  CONCLUSION:  Culture, religion, and reliance on female family members play a strong role in parenting, presenting both positive and negative attributes. Using appropriate behavioural change theories, evidence can be provided to these support systems to aid mothers to acquire skills and information necessary for positive parenting practices