Street Trading Activities and Maternal Health in Urban Areas of Nigeria

The study assessed the health risks associated with street trading activities among selected mothers in urban centers of Nigeria The data used was extracted from national survey data among 3 873 street traders selected in various Central Business Districts CBDs across three major cities of Nigeria namely Lagos Kano and Port Harcourt The study showed that street trading has provided job opportunities for mothers but the impact of the business on their welfare is not visible considering their weekly income that is far below their weekly expenditure Respondents with primary secondary and tertiary education are 0 879 0 553 and 0 818 less likely to be injured while trading on the street compared to individuals who have no formal education The authors suggest due recognition to be given to the activity and that street traders-government partnership be established in order to safeguard the health of the operator

Economic Impact of Health Insurance Scheme and its awareness towards attainment of Vision 2020

The emergence of re-health insurance scheme (through Decree 35 of 1999) and its re-inauguration in 2005 were part of several attempts to improve the quality of life of Nigerians. However, little or nothing is heard of the program after inauguration. The study tested the popularity of the scheme and examined its economic impacts in the study location. It specifically aimed at finding out the socio-economic correlates of insurance awareness, coverage and plausible ways of popularizing the scheme among the citizenry. Only quantitative research approach was adopted in the study. Findings show that awareness is not synonymous with acquisition of the scheme. It revealed that 16.76% of the respondents would definitely not acquire any health insurance while about 47.4% might buy in the future. The labour hour down-time (hour of work that could be lost) could be saved if employers of labour subscribed to the scheme on behalf of their staff. The public is enjoined to regard good health condition as a necessity and that enrollment health policy is suggested to be made compulsory and enforced via a Compulsory Health Insurance Policy (CHIP) in Nigeria and sub-Sahara Africa regions in general

Social media and adolescent sexuality: implications HIV/AIDS incidence in Nigeria

Media roles today are becoming more worrisome with raging controversies especially in the area of sexual scenes. The study examined the effect of the silent posture of Christian religion towards the preponderance of scanty dressing, pornography (and the like) on adolescents’ sexual behaviour. 114 adolescents in age group 12-24 years were interviewed in Lagos State of Nigeria. The study revealed that level of “parent-child-communication” within the family is below average (32%). Over 69.3% claimed sermon/discussions/preaching ever heard excluded sexuality and about 52% that do, emphasizes only the “sinful” aspect rather than its social benefits. About 67% respondents have watched pornographic materials on TV in the last 3 months while two-third has experienced sexual intercourse. Indulgence in adult entertainment could be curtailed by provision of adequate sex education and open programmes on sexuality rather than the current clandestine-campaigning syndrome. Key Words: Pornography, sexuality, adult entertainment, HIV/AID

Emerging Teen Fatherhood and its implications for National Development

While girl-teen pregnancy is frowned at world-wide, the acquiescence of many communities and cultures towards teen fatherhood is appalling in developing nations especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The study examined the prevalence and implications of teen fatherhood on national development. Structured face-to-face interviewed technique was used among 200 teen-males that were randomly selected from Ado/Odo Ota local government area of Ogun State. Data were analyzed using univariate and logistic multivariate techniques. The result revealed that 35 percent of the respondents had fathered at least child and 61.4 percent were involved in multiple sexual partnerships. The study also showed that teens’ involvement in sexual activities is positively associated with paternal income and mothers’ education. It indicated that respondents that adopted condoms, pills and local herbs for protection were 0.647 and 0.332 times less likely to be involved in multiple sexual partnerships compared to teenagers who used no form of protection. It revealed that age, religious affiliation and knowledge about the mode of HIV transmission were statistically insignificant correlates of involvement in multiple sexual partnering. The study concludes that teen fatherhood would have negative developmental effects for the father, the children and the mother. The author recommended that action-based home-front enlightenment towards the implications of pre-mature sexual activities is expedient in order to raise healthy population with potential for sustainable development. Key words: Teens, fatherhood, sexual activity, STIs, chil

Socio-economic perspectives of male sexual challenges and inter-spousal communication in a mono-cultural setting

The study examined the socio-economic context of husband’s sexual deficiency on husband-wife communication among the Yoruba in the southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The study adopted a structured face-to-face interview among 145 couples in the ratio of 50:50 among couples with husbands that have sexual challenges and the control group. Four focus group discussions were also held among the wives and segregated by age (15-34 and 35-54 years). The mean age of the population is 40 years (husbands = 42 years and wives = 38 years). The study shows that income and employment status are significantly related to couple’s communication at p-value less than 0.05. It also revealed that education and frequency of intercourse are vital predictors of inter-spousal communication notwithstanding the sexual condition of the husband (p-value of 0.000 each). The author therefore recommended that marriage counselors, social workers and other health official should target massive public awareness on male sexual diseases and equitable employment for all men who have sexual health challenges in order to stimulate mutual harmonious communication between husband and wife and enhance effective management of crisis at home fronts. Key words: Male, sexual challenges, inter-spousal, communication, coupl

Male reproductive health challenges, fertility desire and coping strategies among young couples

There is a dearth of information on strategies that wives employ in a marital relationship that involves husbands with sexual challenges neither are there popular interventions to enhance enduring conjugal relationships where such problems exist in Nigeria. This study examined the incidence of male sexual diseases, the influence of fertility desire and coping strategies among young couples in Nigeria. The data was extracted from a 2010 survey of 435 couples in the southwest Nigeria. Data were analyzed using univariate and logistic regression techniques. The common male sexual diseases identified include erectile dysfunction (10.5%), gonorrhoea (12.7%), low sperm count (0.1%), testicular cancer (6.3%), prostate (3.2%) and prostate cancer (1.6%). Where the husbands experience erectile dysfunction, prostate or gonorrhoea, the couples are 0.064, 0.898 and 0.583 times (respectively) less likely to enjoy marital satisfaction. The study concludes that marriage counselors, social and health workers need to focus on erectile dysfunction, gonorrhoea and prostate as major determinants of sustainable marital satisfaction. It recommends public awareness on male sexual diseases and establishment of robust specialized reproductive healthcare services to cater for health needs of men who are experiencing sexual problems

Variations in demographic correlates of contraceptive usage among married women in Nigeria (1999-2008)

This study examined the variations in demographic correlates and patterns of contraceptive usage among married women in Nigeria. The data used were the Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) data set series for 1999, 2003 and 2008. Overall, 34,919 women in age group 15-49 years were covered in the ratio of 17:15:69 across the three data set respectively. The data sets were merged into a single file and analyzed using a combination of univariate and multivariate analytical techniques. The findings reflect, among others, a progressive increase in contraceptives usage from 1999 to 2008. The study confirmed among others that educational attainment, usual place of residence and age are universal determinants of contraceptive use while desired number of children could be intermediated with other factors to influence contraceptive use among women of child bearing age in Nigeria. The study recommends further campaign towards increasing usage of contraceptives in order to stem the growth rate of children ever born

The impact of male reproductive health problems on conjugal satisfaction: implications on women fertility

This study examined the incidence of male sexual diseases, the influence of fertility desire and coping strategies among currently married women in Nigeria. The data for the study was extracted from a 2010 survey of 435 couples in the southwest Nigeria supported by Covenant University as part of PhD programme. Data obtained were analyzed using a combination of univariate and binary logistic. The common male reproductive health challenges identified include erectile dysfunction (10.5%), gonorrhea (12.7%), low sperm count (0.1%), testicular cancer (6.3%), prostate (3.2%) and prostate cancer (1.6%). Where the husbands experience erectile dysfunction, prostate or gonorrhea, the couples are 0.064, 0.898 and 0.583 times (respectively) less likely to enjoy marital satisfaction. It recommends establishment of robust specialized reproductive healthcare services to cater for health needs of men who may be experiencing sexual problems in order to engender stability in family and stable nation. The study concludes that marriage counselors, social workers and other health officials need to focus on erectile dysfunction, gonorrhea and prostate as major determinants of sustainable marital satisfaction