Correlates of Safe Disposal of Children’s Stool in Nigeria: Evidence from 2018 Demographic and Health Survey

Unsafe Stool disposal has been linked to high under-five morbidity and mortality in many low and middle-income countries. This paper focuses on examining the prevalence of safe disposal of stools in Nigeria and the factors affecting such behaviour. The most-recent Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018 (NDHS) Child’s dataset was used for the analysis in this study. Sample size of 7,834 children under age five was analysed. Percentages and frequencies, chi-square test of association, and binary logistic regression were employed for the statistical analysis. Findings show that a little above half of the women respondents reported safe disposal of stool of their under-five children in the study area (53%). Specifically, the odds of having stool safely disposed increased by 133 percent for children whose household wealth index falls within the richer category (adjusted Odd Ratio (aOR): 2.33; p<0.001), reduced by 17 percent for children whose mothers are working (aOR: 0.83; p<0.05), increased for children whose mothers are residing only in North-East and North-West (p<0.001), increased by 19 percent for children whose mothers were exposed to media exposure to mass media (aOR: 1.19; p<0.05), reduced by 24 percent for women whose children are of first birth order (aOR: 0.76; p<0.05), reduced by 31 percent for women whose children are of small size at birth (aOR: 0.69; p<0.001), increased by 66 percent for women who reported that distance to facility was not a problem (aOR: 1.66; p<0.001), reduced by 19 percent for women who delivered their children at an health centre (aOR: 0.81; p<0.05), and increased by 114 percent for women who used improved toilet facility (aOR: 2.14; p<0.001). This study concludes that a combination of socioeconomic, maternal, child’s and environmental factors are the correlates of safe disposal of stool among women with under-five children in Nigeria. It should therefore be prioritised for interventions aimed at reducing high under-five morbidity and mortality in Nigeria

Use of standard verbal autopsies to improve the mortality data capacity of civil registration and vital statistics systems in low- and middle-income countries: Analysis of key issues

Background: Multidimensional issues confront the use of standard verbal autopsies (SVAs), such as the WHO's verbal autopsy standards and the Population Health Metrics Research Consortium's gold standard verbal autopsy, to improve the mortality data performance of civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Objective: This paper attempts an inclusive analysis of these issues and their implications for policies intending to integrate routine SVAs into CRVS systems to enhance mortality data coverage in LMICs. Methods: Issues were identified from the verbal autopsy and CRVS literature, official documents, and the authors' field experiences with the Nigerian CRVS system. These were analysed using a problem (key issues) analysis methodology. Results: Two classes of issues were shown to impinge on the use of SVAs within CRVS systems. One class is generic to SVAs (technical complexity, cost, and standardization issues) and to CRVS systems (contextual, resource, and infrastructural limitations) in LMICs. The other is related to the incompatibility of SVA and CRVS system functions, operations, instruments, and data. Conclusions: The results indicate a need for alternative solutions to the mortality data challenges of CRVS systems in LMICs that are more pragmatic than SVAs, especially in the short and medium term. Such alternatives must involve less complex data procedures and costs and must be adapted to CRVS system functions, operations, and socioeconomic contexts in LMICs. Contribution: The paper contributes to the discourse on the use of SVAs to improve the mortality data capacity of CRVS systems in LMICs

Trends, Determinants and Health Risks of Adolescent Fatherhood in Sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND: This study examined the trends, determinants and health risks of adolescent fatherhood in three selected African countries where adolescent-girl pregnancy/motherhood are decried but with permissive male sexual latitude.METHODS: Adolescent male data were extracted from the malerecodedatasets of Demographic Health Survey (2000-2014) for Nigeria, Ethiopia and Zambia. The surveys were grouped into 3-Waves: (2000-2004); (2005-2008) and (2011-2014). The study employed descriptive and binary logistics that tested the log-odds of adolescent fatherhood with respect to selected sexual behaviour indices, and individual and shared demographic variables.RESULTS: The results revealed that the number of lifetimesexual-partners among the boys is ≥2. The likelihood of adolescent fatherhood is positively associated with increasing age at first cohabitation and multiple sexual partnerships (≥2) having OR=1.673 and OR=1.769 in 2005/2008 and 2011/2014 respectively. Adolescents who had attained tertiary education, and engaged in professional and skilled jobs were 0.313, 0.213 and 0.403 times (respectively) less likely to have ever-fathered a child. The positive association between rural place of residence and adolescent fatherhood in the past shifted to urban residents in 2011/2014.CONCLUSION: The study concludes that early sexual activities and cohabitation are common among male adolescents among the countries of study. The authors recommend discouragement of boy-girl cohabitation, increasing access to higher education and job opportunities in order to stem boy-fatherhood incidence in the study locations and, by extension, other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.KEYWORDS: Adolescent fatherhood, sexual behaviour, trends, determinants, health risks, lifetime-sexual-partner

TRENDS, DRIVERS AND HEALTH RISKS OF ADOLESCENT FATHERHOOD IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

The study examined the trends, determinants and health risks of adolescent fatherhood in countries where adolescent-girl pregnancy/motherhood are decried but with permissive male sexual latitude. Male-recode datasets of Demographic Health Survey (2000-2014) for Nigeria, Ethiopia and Zambia were used. The surveys were grouped into 3-Waves: Wave 1 (2000 and 2004); Wave 2 (2005 to 2009) and waves 3 (2010 to 2014). Ethiopia data consisted of 2000, 2005 and 2011 datasets; Nigeria‘s datasets included 2003, 2008 and 2013 while Zambia set of data featured 2002, 2007 and 2014. Wave-1 consists of 2000, 2002 and 2003 datasets; Wave-2 has 2005, 2007 and 2008 datasets while 2011, 2013 and 2014 data were used for Wave- 3. These files in each wave were grouped together and then combined into a single file. All data were weighted to ensure representation and analyses were split by countries and by waves to show the trends across .the years and for different countries. The study employed univariate, bivariate analysis and binary logistics that tested the log-odds of adolescent fatherhood with respect to selected sexual behaviour indices, individual and shared demographic variables. The results, among others, indicated that more than one out of every five adolescents has had two or more sexual partners. The likelihood of adolescent fatherhood is inversely related to condom use, but positively associated with increasing age at first cohabitation and higher number of multiple sexual partnerships (≥ 2) at odd-ratio of 1.673 and 1.769 in 2005/2009 and 2010/2014, respectively. Adolescents that have attained primary and tertiary education, and who are professionals and skilled labourers were 0.379, 0.313, 0.213 and 0.403 times (respectively) less likely to father a child as adolescent. The positive association between rural place of residence and adolescent fatherhood in the past shifted to urban residents in 2010/2014. The study concludes that enlightenment on the use of condom and testing for STIs/HIV and AIDS should be intensified. Increasing access to higher formal education including job opportunities is crucial to interventions towards boys’ vulnerability to fatherhood. The authors recommend support from policy-takers, governments and other stakeholders towards male adolescent access to higher education, skills acquisition, and campaigns against boys and girls cohabitations in the study locations and by extension sub-Saharan Africa in general

Trends, Determinants and Health Risks of Adolescent Fatherhood in Sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND: This study examined the trends, determinants and health risks of adolescent fatherhood in three selected African countries where adolescent-girl pregnancy/motherhood are decried but with permissive male sexual latitude. METHODS: Adolescent male data were extracted from the malerecode datasets of Demographic Health Survey (2000-2014) for Nigeria, Ethiopia and Zambia. The surveys were grouped into 3- Waves: (2000-2004); (2005-2008) and (2011-2014). The study employed descriptive and binary logistics that tested the log-odds of adolescent fatherhood with respect to selected sexual behaviour indices, and individual and shared demographic variables. RESULTS: The results revealed that the number of lifetimesexual-partners among the boys is ≥2. The likelihood of adolescent fatherhood is positively associated with increasing age at first cohabitation and multiple sexual partnerships (≥2) having OR=1.673 and OR=1.769 in 2005/2008 and 2011/2014 respectively. Adolescents who had attained tertiary education, and engaged in professional and skilled jobs were 0.313, 0.213 and 0.403 times (respectively) less likely to have ever-fathered a child. The positive association between rural place of residence and adolescent fatherhood in the past shifted to urban residents in 2011/2014. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that early sexual activities and cohabitation are common among male adolescents among the countries of study. The authors recommend discouragement of boy-girl cohabitation, increasing access to higher education and job opportunities in order to stem boy-fatherhood incidence in the study locations and, by extension, other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Emmanuel O. Amoo , Angie Igbinoba2 , David Imhonopi3 , Olufunmilayo O. Banjo4 , Chukwuedozie K. Ajaero5 , Joshua O. Akinyemi6 , David Igbokwe7 , Lukman B. Solanke

Fertility, Family Size Preference and Contraceptive Use in Sub-Saharan Africa: 1990-2014

In view of an unusual transition in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) fertility, periodic re-appraisal is necessary. Using an ecological design, data from Demographic and Health Surveys between 1990 and 2014 were analysed to investigate trends in completed family size (CFS), total fertility rate (TFR), family size preference (FSP), and contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR). The correlates of changes in fertility levels, FSP and CPR were explored. Results showed that CFS declined and was lowest in Southern and Western Africa. However, average CFS for Central African countries appeared virtually the same over the period. Changes in TFR and FSP followed patterns similar to CFS. Western and Central region had very slow increase in CPR with many below 20% as at 2014. Eastern and Southern Africa had faster increase in CPR with some countries achieving almost 60%. Regression results showed that contraceptive prevalence (β= -1.96, p=0.027) and median age at first marriage (β= -0.23, p=0.06) were negatively related to TFR while employment (β= -21.7, p<0.001) was negatively related to FSP. In summary, fertility levels and family size preference declined while contraceptive use improved particularly in Southern and the Eastern Africa. Increased female labour force participation is another potential route to fertility decline in SSA. Keywords: Fertility levels, Family Size Preference, Contraceptive use, Fertility behavior, sub-Saharan AfricaCompte tenu de la transition inhabituelle de la fécondité en Afrique subsaharienne (ASS), une réévaluation périodique est nécessaire. À l'aide d'un modèle écologique, les données des enquêtes démographiques et de santé menées entre 1990 et 2014 ont été analysées pour étudier les tendances de la taille de la famille achevée (TFA), du taux de fécondité total (TFT), du facteur de préférence de la taille de lafamille (PTF) et du taux de prévalence de la contraception (TPC). Les corrélats des variations des niveaux de fécondité, de la PTF et de la TPC ont été explorés. Les résultats ont montré que le TFA avait diminué et était le plus faible en Afrique australe et occidentale. Cependant, la TFA moyenne des pays d‘Afrique centrale a semblé pratiquement identique au cours de la période. Les modifications duTFT et de la TFA ont suivi des tendances similaires à celles du PTF. Les régions de l'Ouest et du Centre ont connu une très lente augmentation de la TPC, beaucoup marquant moins de 20% en 2014. L'Afrique de l'Est et du Sud ont connu une augmentation plus rapide de la TPC, certains pays atteignant près de 60%. Les résultats de la régression ont montré que la prévalence contraceptive (β = -1,96, p = 0,027) et l‘âge médian au premier mariage (β = -0,23, p = 0,06) étaient négativement corrélés au TFT alors que l‘emploi (β = - 21,7, p <0,001) était en relation négative avec le PTF. En résumé, les niveaux de fécondité et la préférence pour la taille de la famille ont diminué alors que l'utilisation des contraceptifs s'est améliorée, en particulier en Afrique australe et orientale. L'augmentation de laparticipation des femmes à la population active est une autre voie potentielle vers le déclin de la fécondité en ASS. Mots-clés: Niveaux de fécondité, préférence de la taille de la famille, utilisation des contraceptifs, comportement à la fécondité, Afrique subsaharienne

Decision making autonomy and fertility behaviour among currently married women in Nigeria.

Background: Decision-making autonomy as a component of women’s status is a less studied indicator of fertility behaviour in Nigeria.Data and Methods: The study utilizes the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data to determine women’s characteristics associated with decision-making autonomy and examine the influence of decision-making autonomy on fertility behaviour among currently married women in Nigeria. Relationships between decision-making autonomy and fertility behaviour were examined using Poisson and Binary logistic regressions.Results: Results showed that, about 60% of currently married women were of low autonomy. Decision-making autonomy was associated with women’s age, age at marriage, level of education, religion, employment status, type of residence and household wealth status.  The result further showed that women’s decision-making autonomy was significantly associated with lower number of living children and increased contraceptive use.Conclusion: The study concludes that women’s decision-making autonomy is an important predictor of fertility behaviour among currently married women in Nigeria

University-Based Gender-Based Violence Prevention in LMICs

This scoping review is an initiative of the Sub-Saharan University Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Research (SUBVERT).This protocol provides background, process and methodology for implementing the scoping review. The goal of the scoping review is to provide a comprehensive overview of university based gender-based violence (GBV) prevention interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The review aims to identify and summarize the evidence available regarding GBV interventions in LMIC universities, including best practices, characteristics of interventions, targeted populations, and study types.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/192311/7/20240216_Scoping_Review_Protocol_ Univ-based GBV Prevention in LMICs.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/192311/3/Scoping Review Protocol_ Univ-based GBV Prevention in LMICs.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/192311/6/Repository_Protocol_ GBV Prevention in LMICs Review_FINAL.pdfDescription of Scoping Review Protocol_ Univ-based GBV Prevention in LMICs.pdf : Main articleSEL