Between life and death: exploring the sociocultural context of antenatal mental distress in rural Ethiopia

The high prevalence of antenatal common mental disorders in sub-Saharan Africa compared to high-income countries is poorly understood. This qualitative study explored the sociocultural context of antenatal mental distress in a rural Ethiopian community. Five focus group discussions and 25 in-depth interviews were conducted with purposively sampled community stakeholders. Inductive analysis was used to develop final themes. Worry about forthcoming delivery and fears for the woman’s survival were prominent concerns of all participants, but only rarely perceived to be pathological in intensity. Sociocultural practices such as continuing physical labour, dietary restriction, prayer and rituals to protect against supernatural attack were geared towards safe delivery and managing vulnerability. Despite strong cultural norms to celebrate pregnancy, participants emphasised that many pregnancies were unwanted and an additional burden on top of pre-existing economic and marital difficulties. Short birth interval and pregnancy out of wedlock were both seen as shameful and potent sources of mental distress. The notion that pregnancy in traditional societies is uniformly a time of joy and happiness is misplaced. Although antenatal mental distress may be self-limiting for many women, in those with enduring life difficulties, including poverty and abusive relationships, poor maternal mental health may persist

OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF QUOTED MORTGAGE BANKS IN NIGERIA

The financial performance of mortgage banks worldwide has been a significant source of worry among researchers, professionals, and other stakeholders because of the substantial role mortgage banks play in people’s well-being and economic activity. Despite mortgage bank reforms, the mortgage banking systems in Nigeria are still developing. They remain at a low level of financial performance, poor financing management, and decline in economic performance indicators due to poor ownership structure among mortgage banks in Nigeria. This study examines the effects of ownership structure (significant shareholding, government holding, and minority holding) on financial performance indicators (earnings per share, net profit margin and bank size via total assets) of Nigerian mortgage banks. Ex-post facto research design was employed as well as the panel regression method of analysis, and data was sourced from selected mortgage banks in Nigeria from 2011 to 2020. The study found that ownership structure components (significant shareholding, government holding, and minority holding) have positive and significant effect on financial performance indicators of selected mortgage banks in Nigeria at less than a p<0.05 level of significance. The study concluded that ownership structure components affect financial performance indicators of selected mortgage banks in Nigeria. Therefore, the study recommended that there is a need for mortgage banks in Nigeria to increase their ownership structure in terms of significant shareholding, government holding, and minority holding), as it was found that ownership structure absolutely affects the financial performance indicators of mortgage banks quoted in Nigeria

Mapping of lymphatic filariasis in Benue State, Nigeria

An epidemiological mapping was undertaken from December, 2004 to February, 2005 with the aim of determining the prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti in 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State, Nigeria. A total of 1,830 persons aged 20 years and above were screened for circulating filarial antigen (CFA) using immuno-chromatographic (ICT) whole blood tests. An overall CFA prevalence of 6.5% was recorded in 65% of 20 communities from the 18 LGAs. The results indicate that lymphatic filariasis is widely distributed in the state. Prevalence of infection was significantly (