Adolescent Sexuality and Reproductive Health in two Oil Producing Communities in Imo and Rivers States, Nigeria

The Study was conducted in two contiguous oil producing rural local government areas in Imo State and Rivers State of Nigeria, to examine adolescent sexuality and reproductive health situation in the area given its peculiarities. This is a baseline study for an intervention project aimed at identifying strategies for achieving behavioural changes among the youth, and for promotion of health-seeking behaviour for the control of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Data were collected through questionnaires administered among 725 students in secondary schools and 249 school drop-outs, comprising 483 females and 491 males. The questionnaire generated ample information on knowledge, attitudes and practices of the youth with respect to sexuality and reproductive health as well as various background characteristics of the respondents. Supplementary qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions. The study found a high level of sexual activity among both in-school and out-of-school adolescents, low levels of knowledge of preventive measures, negotiation skills and STIs, and relatively high levels of premarital pregnancy, abortion and incidence of STIs. The paper proffered suggestions for introducing life-building skills and sexuality education in the secondary schools through peer health education and other school programs, and underscored the need to make schooling more interesting and attractive to the youth

Family Structure and Reproductive Health Decision Making among the Ogu of Southwestern Nigeria: A Qualitative Study

This study examines the structure of the Ogu family and its influence on reproductive health decision-making using a qualitative approach. Data were sourced through nine focus groups organized in the study area among married men and women. The data reveal that the family structure in the study area is changing, although the dominant pattern remains extended. The findings of the study suggest that there are on-going internal transformations that tend to enhance gender equity in reproductive health decision-making between husbands and wives. These changes may be attributed to the widespread influence of western culture and the spread of education in the study population, which are necessary concomitants of economic, political and cultural changes taking place in the society.Cet article examine la structure de la famille Ogu et son influence sur la prise de d\ue9cision en mati\ue8re de sant\ue9 de la reproduction. Les donn\ue9es utilis\ue9es sont des donn\ue9es qualitatives obtenues \ue0 partir de 9 "Focus Group" organis\ue9s entre hommes et femmes mari\ue9es du milieu d'\ue9tude. Les donn\ue9es montrent que la structure de la famille dans ce milieu d'\ue9tude \ue9volue bien que le type dominant reste la famille \ue9largie. Les r\ue9sultats de l'\ue9tude montrent que des transformations internes tendant \ue0 promouvoir l'\ue9galit\ue9 entre les genres en mati\ue8re de prise de d\ue9cision concernant la sant\ue9 de la reproduction entre \ue9poux et \ue9pouses sont entrain de s'op\ue9rer. Ces \ue9volutions peuvent \ueatre dues par l'influence croissante de la culture occidentale et la g\ue9n\ue9ralisation de l'\ue9ducation dans la population \ue9tudi\ue9e qui accompagnent n\ue9cessairement les transformations \ue9conomiques, politiques et culturelles en cours dans la soci\ue9t\ue9

Prevalence and determinants of child fosterage in West Africa: relevance to demography

Ethnographic studies in West Africa show that the practice of sending children away to be raised by relatives and nonrelatives is widespread among many ethnic groups. This paper is an attempt to explore the demographic relevance of the practice. The fostering information is obtained from two sources: the responses given by women to the question on children away from home, and by linking all children to their mothers with the unmatched children being treated as fosters. The characteristics of these children, their surrogate mothers, and those of the biological mothers are explored, and the determinants of child fostering are discussed as correlates of these attributes. The results are indicative of high incidence of child fosterage in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria. Child fostering enhances female labor force participation, and may affect the fertility decisions of both natural and foster parents, mainly because it serves to reallocate the resources available for raising children within the society. It may also have consequences on child survival, depending partly on how the culture treats children outside of their maternal homes

Extramarital relations and perceptions of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria

Data from a 1991 survey of five Nigerian towns are used to examine currently married men’s and women’s perceptions of AIDS which, together with other socioeconomic factors, are then related to extramarital sexual behaviour. An overwhelming majority of the respondents have accurate information about AIDS. In particular, most associate HIV/AIDS transmission with multiple sexual partners, though only one-third of them think that the fear of AIDS has limited casual sex in their communities. About 54 per cent of men and 39 per cent of women have had extramarital relations, with 18 per cent of men and 11 per cent of women having done so in the previous week. The incidence of extramarital relations varies considerably by respondents' level of education, type of marriage, religion, and spousal closeness. More importantly, knowledge of multiple sexual partners as a risk factor for HIV/AIDS is inversely related to extramarital affairs. The study underscores the link between knowledge and behaviour, and calls for a well-articulated campaign designed to educate the populace about the threat of AIDS, with the aim of modifying both premarital and extramarital sexual behaviour, thereby reducing the risk factor for HIV through heterosexual relations which is the main mode of transmission in Nigeria

Interconnections among changing family structure, childrearing and fertility behaviour among the Ogu, Southwestern Nigeria

The interconnections of family transformation, childrearing and fertility behaviour are explored. Data were generated through nine focus groups organized among the Ogu and content analyzed. The analysis reveals that although the family system is still largely dominated by extended structure, the strong traditional kinship ties have begun to undergo serious strain. Child fostering and other means of spreading childrearing cost among relatives are fading out. Consequently, desired family size and ideal number of children in the society now gravitate to four children relative to over eight in the past. Given dwindling extended family resources for the support of a large number of its members, innovative reproductive behaviour is permeating the society, such as the adoption of family planning.childrearing, childrearing cost, family planning, family structure, fertility, fertility behavior, household, ideal family size, interconnections, kinship

Implementation of Family Life and HIV/AIDS Education in Nigerian Schools: A Qualitative Study on Scope, Delivery and Challenges

This study utilized data from Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews among secondary school students and teachers to examine the scope, delivery and challenges of FLHE implementation within states and across geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Structural Functionalism, Rational Choice and Differential Association theories were adopted as theoretical framework. Results show that several patterns in classroom teaching of FLHE are identifiable across the country. The study found that FLHE is taught at the Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary levels with variations among States on the beginning levels. The main mode of FLHE delivery is classroom instruction; other modes include assembly talk and sensitization by organizations. Despite paucity of Information, Education and Communication materials and inadequate personnel requirement, different stakeholders noted that FLHE has been beneficial to students. Therefore, effective implementation of FLHE will go a long way to ensuring that young people in Nigeria are equipped with necessary information to enable them exhibit the right attitude and behaviour towards sexuality issues. Keywords: FLHE implementation, reproductive health, young people, youth corpers, sexual attitude.RésuméCette étude a utilisé des données provenant des groupes de discussion à cible et des entrevues en profondeur entre élèves et enseignants des écoles secondaires afin d'examiner la portée, l’actualisation et la mise en oeuvre de défis de la VFES au sein des Etats et entre les zones géopolitiques au Nigeria. Le fonctionnalisme structural, le choix rationnel et les théories l’association différentielle ont été adoptés comme cadre théorique. Les résultats montrent que plusieurs tendances dans l'enseignement en classe de la VFES sont identifiables à travers le pays. L'étude a révélé que la VFES est enseigné dans les deux cycles de l’école avec des variations entre les États à l’égard du niveau de commencement. Le principal mode de la réalisation de la VFES est l'enseignement en classe; d'autres modes comprennent des discours pendant la réunion matinale et la sensibilisation par les organisations. Malgré la rareté de l'information, l’éducation et les matériels de communication et les besoins insuffisants en personnel, les différents intervenants ont noté que la VFES a été bénéfique pour les élèves. Par conséquent, la mise en oeuvre effective de la VFES aidera beaucoup à assurer que les jeunes gens au Nigeria sont équipées d’informations nécessaires pour leur permettre de démontrer une bonne attitude et un bon comportement à l'égard des questions de sexualité. Mots-clés: la mise en oeuvre FLHE, santé de la reproduction, les jeunes, jeunesse, attitude sexuell

Disease Diagnosis and Management: The Experiences of Hemorrhoid Herbal Vendors and Customers in Oyo State, Nigeria

Hemorrhoids (or piles) are an anorectal condition that affects many individuals who do not necessarily seek medical support. Many who suffer from this condition resort to home treatment, especially cultural diagnosis and treatment. Consequently, an herbal remedy, popularly known as jedijedi drinks, has gained high patronage but with contested effectiveness. Thus, this study explored the diagnosis and use of hemorrhoid herbal remedy. Using a mixed-methods research design, information was elicited from those who used or sold the remedy at the three points of sales: 107 consumer respondents were surveyed and three herbal vendors were interviewed in Ibadan, Oyo Town, and Ogbomoso in Oyo State, Nigeria. The selection of the three herbal vendors was based on their popularity and patronage. Data interpretation included the use of chi-square and qualitative content analysis. Results revealed a high prevalence (71%) of hemorrhoids among respondents who used jedijedi drinks for curative purposes; 90.7% of respondents claimed to know the risk factors for developing hemorrhoids. Specifically, respondents mentioned sugary and starchy substances (77.8%), sitting for long periods of time (6.1%), and stress (8.1%) as perceived causes of hemorrhoids, and 9.2% asserted that the cause was preternatural. Respondents reported irregular menstrual cycle, an inability to sit or stand for long and erectile dysfunction as symptoms of hemorrhoids. The experience of erectile dysfunction was significantly related (c2 = 6.906) to respondents’ marital status. Herbal vendors reported that the common diagnosis method was vendor–customer oral dialogue that determined the type of herbal remedy prescribed. Findings support the recommendation for public sensitization through mass media to reduce misconceptions about hemorrhoids that affect its management

Sociocultural Context and Determinants of Treatments for Hemorrhoids Among the Nigerian Police, Oyo State Command

Hemorrhoids or piles, culturally known as Jedijedi among the people of southwestern Nigeria, are an anorectal disease surrounded by misconceptions. The consequences of these misconceptions are enormous. Therefore, the main objective of the present study is to understand the sociocultural explanation of piles among selected personnel of the Nigeria Police Force. We recruited 302 police officers for the exploratory survey through a multistage sampling technique. Five key informants were interviewed at the study area based upon their professions and proximity. Data interpretation was done through chi-square and content analysis. Results indicated a high prevalence (73%) of and misconceptions about hemorrhoids among the respondents. The majority (80%) of the respondents had a poor awareness of the risk factors, making a scientifically unfounded claim that sugar intake was responsible for piles. Their belief negatively influenced the treatments adopted. Furthermore, their choice of therapy was influenced by its affordability (p \u3c .05) and the fear of hemorrhoidectomy (p \u3c .05). The study established various misconceptions about hemorrhoids among herbal vendors and police officers, which influenced treatment choices. The study suggested that one potent tool for combating ignorance about the disease is sensitization, which will equip officers to adopt healthier behaviors and aid herbal vendors to give better treatment to their clients. In addition, experimental platforms should be set for herbal vendors and orthodox medical practitioners to form a synergy in combating the diseases

Understanding Sexual Negotiation between Marital Partners: A Study of Ogu Families in Southwestern Nigeria

Studies on African sexuality have concentrated on men extra-marital affairs and a total neglect of sexual negotiation between husband and wife. The main objective of this study is to examine gender differentials in sexual negotiation strategies between marital partners among the Ogu, South-western Nigeria. Data were generated from survey conducted among 900 married men and women and 9 focus group discussions. Analysis reveals that both husband and wife have sexual needs that make them to desire sex naturally. While men do make direct demand for sex, women employ indirect erotic strategies to initiate sex. The consent of both partners is required for sexual encounter to give maximum pleasure. Logistic models show that urban residence and frequent spousal communication are associated with gender equity in sexual negotiation between marital partners. It is suggested that sexual health programmes should therefore focus on both partners and not just men