The conceptions of sexual relationships among the Yoruba people in Nigeria.

Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.The study explored the cultural dynamics of construction of sexual intercourse within gender constructions of masculinity and femininity among the Yoruba people of South western Nigeria. The Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC/ETIC) framework, a cultural explanatory social analytic framework with guides to looking at the insiders' perspectives, was used as the theoretical base to the study. The study was conducted to broaden understanding of sexual relationships in order to generate culturally relevant programmes that can promote sexual health, control sexual coercion, sexual violence and reduce the transmission and spread of HIV. It explored information about the conceptions of sexual relationships, social dynamics of sexual negotiations in marital and non-marital relationships, the expressions and process of knowledge acquisition as such translates to sexual behaviour by men and women. The prevalence of consensus, coercive and forced sexual intercourse and sexual morbidity were determined. Perceived link of sexual coercion and sexual violence to HIV transmission was also explored. Traditional practices, including regulatory mechanisms for the control of sexual behaviour of men and women in the culture were also explored. Equally focused in the study were differences in the conceptions of sexual relationships among the study population as moderated by sex, age, educational background and marital status, along with experiences of sexual coercion, forced sex, and sexual intercourse related morbidity. Adopting the ethnographic method, qualitative data from historical review of existing information about the Yoruba people, focus group discussions, in-depth individual interviews and observations were complemented by quantitative data generated through a survey in a sample Yoruba community of lIe-Ife. Findings showed the conception of sexual relationships and sexual intercourse built around the conception and social constructions of active masculinity and passive femininity. Conceptions of sexual relationship evolved as a transitional phenomenon that individuals were expected to learn informally instinctually and as they attain sexual biological maturity through language use and observations of practices among older people. Two typologies of masculinity and femininity were discernible in the study population that also give specifications to social and sexual behaviour of men and women. There appeared a changing conception of femininity especially among young people below 30 years, which is also informing sexual behaviour of young women. Relationships were moderated by age, economic status and marriage, which invariably put women in subordinate position to men either in social or sexual relationships. Behaviour of men and women were dictated by social role assignment of leadership through economic provisions for family and control of sexual act by the man. This was within a contractual relationship of older men with younger women with the primary motive of procreation in traditional orientation. Sexual intercourse was seen as a compulsory act for both men and women especially as it results to procreation though the initiation and control were part of the social responsibility of the man. It was socially approved within marriage but pre-marital and extra marital relationships were tolerated more for men. The act was also used "as a prove of self", for economic gains, to demonstrate love, for enjoyment and as a tool of punishment of women by some men. Knowledge acquisition about sexual relationships and sexual intercourse tended to be inadequate throughout the life span. There was never a time when individuals, even after marriage, have access to correct information about sexual intercourse. There was gross assumption of what sexual partners know about sexual intercourse in the population. Within the context of 13 identifiable topical knowledge areas desirable for sexual health, more than 50% of males and females expressed lack of knowledge. There were significant differences in expressed knowledge by male and female respondents of what sexual intercourse is and the motives of sexual intercours

Job Satisfaction and Work Environment of Primary Health Care Nurses in Ekiti State, Nigeria: an Exploratory Study

Background: Job satisfaction, quality of work environment and morale of health practitioners is beginning to receive attention worldwide.Objectives: This study examined the nature of the work environment of community health nurses, and determined the level of job satisfaction among these nurses. It further explored the relationship between work environment and job satisfaction of these nurses, and perceived factors in the work environment that would increase their job satisfaction. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. The study was conducted in public primary health care facilities in Ekiti State, Nigeria. All the 216 nurses in these facilities were recruited but only 161 nurses responded to the instrument administered. A 58- item semi-structured questionnaire was used to survey nurses currently practicing in the above health setting. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: Findings from the study revealed the mean score of nurses’ perception of their work environment to be 64.65±19.77. Forty four percent (44%) of the nurses perceived their WE as of an average quality while 31% reported high quality WE. A majority (67.1%) of the nurses had low degree of job satisfaction while only few nurses (3.1%) reported high degree of satisfaction with job. A significant positive strong correlation was found between overall work environment and the general job satisfaction of the nurses(r = 0.55, p = < 0.01). “Provisions of modern equipment for work” and “increment/prompt payment of salary” were the most prominent factors in work environment that the nurses perceived as capable of increasing their job satisfaction (54.7% and 49.7% respectively). The least reported factor was “recommendation when one does a good job” (1.9%).Conclusion: The study concluded that a healthy work environment for nurses in the primary health care settings is an important factor in improving work satisfaction, reducing turnover intention and improving nursing care outcomes

Health status of families: A comparative study of one-parent and two-parent families in Ondo State, Nigeria

Background: The family plays a central role in the provision and maintenance of health status of its members and all factors that contribute to achieving optimal health. Aim: To compare the health status of one-parent and two-parent families using the McMaster model of family functioning. Setting: Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design, using multi-stage simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using an adopted self-administered questionnaire from 250 purposely selected families from each sample group. The data entering was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 17.0. Results: Findings showed that one-parent fathers scored higher (mean = 74.4 ± 10.30) than two-parent fathers (70.5 ± 13.05), while one-parent mothers scored higher (mean = 69.7 ± 15.10) than two-parent mothers (mean 67.7 ± 14.78). This means that one-parent fathers have a better self-reported health status than two-parent fathers, while one-parent mothers have a better self-reported health status than two-parent mothers. One-parent fathers have the best self-reported health status. No significant (p > 0.05) difference in the health status of children from both families. Conclusion: Fathers are healthier than mothers, while one-parent fathers are healthier than two-parent fathers. Comparing the two groups of families, parents from one-parent families reported better health status than parents from two-parent families, whereas within each family group, fathers reported better health status than mothers. This places responsibility on health care professionals to explore family contexts during clinic visits so as to render a more comprehensive health care service to families

Context and Indigenous Structures for Managing Family Violence in a Yoruba Community

Most investigations on domestic violence in family relationships have centered around men as the perpetrators of violence without exploring the context of violence occurrence from a gender lens and other social factors. This study explored the meanings associated with family violence, the contexts for its occurrence, and the indigenous approaches to managing such conflicts among the Yoruba ethnic subgroup in southwest Nigeria. This was an exploratory cross-sectional study guided by an interpretative constructivist approach in which 20 community stakeholders were recruited through purposive sampling. The data were collected via in-depth interview (IDI) and focus group discussion (FGD). Findings from the study showed that both men and women in family relationship contribute to the occurrence of family violence, although the forms perpetrated differ by gender. Religious leaders were identified as key indigenous structure for effective management of family violence among other indigenous structures (extended family mediation and community/royal father interventions). The study showed that these groups of people are also affected by societal male dominance belief which has contributed to occurrence of family violence. The study concluded that an indigenous intervention that will help control family violence among this group must focus on strengthening community structures; most importantly, the religious institutions on how to instill mutual respect among couples and train them on conflict resolution skills as family violence in the group is seen as issue that should not be taken out of the community structures

Qualitative reappraisal of perspectives, prevalence, and management of family violence among the Yoruba people: a study of representatives of some Yoruba ethnic subgroups from Ile Ife

The analysis of changing definitions and perspectives of violating behaviors within cultural contexts will inform the responses and interventions that will mostly reduce the occurrences of family violence

Gender pattern of family violence occurrence: A study of family units in selected communities of Ondo state

Background: Violence in families is a global public health issue requiring inquiries for appropriate intervention. The study assessed the prevalence, forms, and gender dimensions of family violence in the study setting. Methods: The study adopted the cross-sectional design, conducted in three Local Government areas in Ondo State among one hundred and twenty family units consisting of 3 members (a male husband, a female wife, and a child). The data for the study was collected using structured questionnaires. Institutional review board approval was also obtained for the study.&nbsp; Results: Findings showed that the prevalence of family violence reported by the wife (35.8%) was similar to that of the husband (36.7%). Children, however, reported a higher prevalence of 62.5 % which was far higher than that of their parents. The wives seemed to be mostly the victims of family violence from the children’s perspective. Expatiating this further, showed that more wives were victims of physical battery (63.8%) economic violence (65.0%), and not participating in decision making (59.8%). The gender dimension showed that wives perpetrate isolation (59.0%) and forced their spouses to act involuntarily (63.3%). While more husbands perpetrate sexual violence (67.2%), intimidation (64.0%), economic violence (62.0%), and do not allow their spouse to participate in decision making (58.2%) more than their wives. Conclusion: The study concluded that many families experienced family violence with either of the spouses as the perpetrator or victim, although the forms perpetrated may differ by gender. Hence, intervention should be targeted at the family as a whole rather than the victim in the family.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp

Socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with relapse in mental illness

Purpose: Relapse in mental illness is an issue of concern to both the patients and caregivers. This study primarily focused on determining the rate of relapse and identifying the socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with relapse. Method: A 5 year retrospective study was done involving 219 clients admitted into a mental health care facility in Nigeria. A proforma was designed to collect data on the socio-demographic and clinical variables from the client’s case notes after obtaining ethical clearance. Data was fed into SPSS version 16 and analysed using univariate and bivariate statistic. Findings: Multiple logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effect of age at onset of illness, living arrangement, family background, social class, index employment status, educational status, duration of illness and drug compliance on the likelihood of relapse in mental illness. The model was statistically significant, X2 (24) = 69.52, p < .0005, explained 36.7% (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance in relapse and correctly classified 74% of the cases. Those with duration of illness greater than five years were 3.43 times more likely to relapse than those with lesser years. Lower age of onset predicts 2.76 times more likelihood of relapse but being employed at the onset of the illness and compliance reduces the likelihood of relapse. Conclusion: This study concluded that socio-demographic and clinical factors were significantly associated with relapse. Addressing these will help achieve sustainable development goals for this population of patients. Keywords: Relapse, Readmission, Clinical factors, Socio-demographic factors, Drug complianc

Detection of indices of violence against women by health professionals in a Nigerian teaching hospital

Context: Violence against women (VAW) is the commonest form of violence existing in human race and is a major reproductive health issue of our time because of its many negative reproductive health consequences. Health care providers have important roles to play to build capacity of their employees to meet the challenges of diagnosing, managing and preventing this societal problem. This can be started by assessing their training needs. Objective: To determine the extent to which Health Professionals can recognize some indices that may suggest VAW. Design, Setting and Subjects: This is a descriptive study. Using a structural questionnaire a survey was done among a randomly selected Doctors, Nurses and Social Workers in OAUTHC, Ile-Ife in Osun State of Nigeria. Information on their socio demographic characters were obtained and they were also asked to identify the degree of association between a set of signs and symptoms in relation to violence against women. Results: Divorce/separation during pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse in women, attempted suicide were the indices (with scores of 85.8% and 79.9% respectively) that would mostly prompt suspicion of VAW. About 31.1% of the respondents may not appropriately detect VAW. There is no significant difference in the ability with regard to sex, years of experience and the professional group. Conclusion: Health Professionals in OAUTHC will benefit from training and retraining programme on how to detect VAW. Similar baseline surveys are recommended for other Health Institutions as the first step in meeting this great challenge of the twenty-first century. Keywords: violence against women, suspicion indices, health professionals Tropical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Vol. 22(1) 2005: 27-3