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)

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

Moderating Role of Demographic Characteristics in Breast Cancer Awareness and the Behavioural Disposition of Women in Ogun State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer incidence is fast increasing, posing a significant threat to the health of women of all races globally. In Nigeria, breast cancer causes the most cancer-related deaths among women each year as a result of inadequate awareness. AIM: This study is aimed at examining the moderating role of demographic characteristics in facilitating breast cancer awareness among women, and how it relates to their behavioural disposition to the disease. METHODS: The study adopted the descriptive (survey) and cross-sectional research designs to elicit information from women of adult age selected across five Local Government Areas in Ogun state. The data, collected through questionnaire were analysed through the use of a variance-based SEM Partial Least Square (PLS). RESULTS: The result shows that demographic characteristics (age and education) has a significant positive effect and jointly explain 74.9% of the variance in the breast cancer awareness and behavioural disposition among women in the study area. The findings revealed that a significant number of women with breast cancer had not acquired useful knowledge that could potentially be used to diagnose, prevent, and manage the disease. Unfortunately, the practice of Breast Self-Examination is grossly low among Nigerian women, as a consequence, only 20-30% of the women in study areas, including professionals, are aware of the benefits of BSE and only a smaller percentage practice BSE. CONCLUSION: There is, therefore, a need to educate women on the benefits of this simple life-saving procedure through the consistent use of media platforms

Influence of socio-economic factors on prevalence of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria

The study utilized the theory of fertility as initiated by Davis and Blakes (1956) and developed by Bongaarts in 1978 to underscore why teenage fertility has remained high in Nigeria. This study investigates women socio-economic factors influencing pregnancy in Nigeria. A total sample of 8448 female teenagers with pregnancy experiences were extracted from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). The study revealed that 19% of young girls with 15-19 years have experienced teenage pregnancy in Nigeria. More importantly, the socio-economic factors with significant influence on teenage pregnancy are: respondents with age 18-19 years (33.2 percent), rural (27.2 percent), Islamic religion (25.2 percent), North-west (28.5 percent), poorest (32 percent), no educational (43.7 percent), married/living with partners (73.9 percent), employed (21.5 percent), visited any health facility in the last 12 months (42 percent) and those who were informed about family planning at a health facility (84.3 per cent) . There is need for sound education for females in Nigeria that will equip girls and women with adequate knowledge needed to make informed decisions on matters relating to sexual and reproductive health, hence resulting in the actualization of the SDG 5. (Afr J Reprod Health 2021; 25[5s]: 138-146)