Cultural sensitivity in communication campaigns for the prevention of sexually transmitted infection in Nigeria

The role of culture in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) prevention campaign has been crucial. However, a common vision on how culture ought to inform the design and implementation of the campaign appears to be lacking in Nigeria. Given this phenomenon, this study examined how culture can be conceptualized into improving STIs prevention communication campaign in Nigeria. Data was collected through indepth interviews of 22 STIs positive and 19 STIs negative young people within the ages of 15 to 26 years in South-West and North-Central Nigeria. Data was analyzed through thematic analysis. While some of these cultural aspects help positively, others have negative impacts. Religion, values and taboos, cultural practices, and civilization were discovered to be the four major aspects where culture and STIs have nexus and influence communication of STIs messages in Nigeria. Evidence showed that religion discourage youths from pre-marital and extramarital sex. The Nigerian youths acknowledge values and taboos as having a powerful influence on matters of sexuality. However, there were still some local practices which discourage safe sexual behavior such as subservient roles of women, polygamy, female genital mutilation and using young females for sexual satisfaction. Findings indicate the need for STIs messages to address stigmatization, the use of local dialects, misconception in STIs knowledge, negative portrayal of STIs, usage of current information and disclosure of STIs status. It was discovered that integrated marketing communication channels will be effective to STIs negative individuals. However, the STIs positive individuals prefer the use of interpersonal communication and radio. The study concludes that a culturally sensitive communication intervention is crucial and should spearhead behavior interventions, both as agents and beneficiaries. Two STIs cultural sensitivity models were proposed as a potential guide in order to make the intervention gain acceptance among young people in various Nigerian communities

Twitter Discourse on the Pre-Presidential Election Campaign in Nigeria

Citizens’ political participation and engagement on various social media handles have made it necessary for scholars to investigate and understand the potentials inherent in the political engagement and discourse of individual citizens. Hence, the study examined Twitter discourse on the 2019 pre-presidential election campaign in Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique with thematic textual research method was used to thematically analyse tweets based on the research questions. Findings from the study showed that the kind of engagement made or done by Nigerians regarding the 2019 pre-presidential election campaigns was based on the topic, with most topics being met with sarcasm. The sarcasm found in the tweets pointed to the way Nigerians react in a situation that they have no way of rectifying. Also, findings from the study showed that celebrity tweet gets more engagement compared to tweets made by unpopular tweeps. Conclusively, the study found that the level of discourse on Twitter regarding Nigeria’s 2019 pre-presidential elections was very rich and participatory this implies that Nigerians have a high propensity to relate on social media as their rate of responses as well as their frequency of responses remained high throughout the election campaign period which to a large extent predicts real-life events

Cultural sensitivity in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) preventive campaign in Nigeria

The STIs preventive campaign in Nigeria lacks a common vision on how culture ought to inform the design and implementation of interventions.The study investigated how culture can be conceptualised into STIs preventive communication campaign in Nigeria. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews among students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta. Findings revealed virginity as one of the protective factors and polygamy as one of the risk factors in culture that must be taken into considerations.The study concludes that STIs preventive campaign in Nigeria needs to develop interventions that recognise not only the negative aspect of culture but also promote the positive and unique aspect of culture

HIV/AIDS and Cultural Practices in Nigeria: An Implication for HIV/AIDS Preventive Communication Campaign

This article aims to examine the subtle links that exist between cultural practices and beliefs and the high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. It investigates the cultural practices that influence risky sexual behaviour and how cultural values of the people can be conceptualised into STIs preventive communication campaign in Nigeria. Data were gathered through an in-depth interview among young students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. The study also shows that socio-cultural environment and structural contexts are responsible for the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Therefore, the non-centrality of culture in HIV/AIDS preventive campaign is one of the major reasons why very little success has been recorded in the area of behaviour change.  The study emphasize that HIV/AIDS preventive communication campaign should not fight against the culture of the people because it might alienate the people whose cooperation is necessary if the prevalence of HIV/AIDS must be curbed. Therefore, the study advocates that campaign planners should rather try to make behaviour and practices safer in a way that is culturally acceptable to people. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Preventive communication, Cultural practice

Sexual Abstinence and Usage of Contraceptions among Young People in Nigeria

The growing rate of risky sexual behaviour among young adults contributes significantly to the spread of STIs epidemic in Nigeria. As a result of this, this study explores the factors associated with the adoption of sexual abstinence and contraception among Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta (MAPOLY) students aged between 18-25 years. An in-depth interview was conducted among twenty-eight students. The research reveals that young adults have a good knowledge of contraception and abstinence as a method for the prevention of STIs. However, some of them are still involved in risky sexual behaviour. The study identified some ‘protective’ and ‘risk’ factors behaviour that have the tendency of resulting into positive and negative health outcomes respectively. A good understanding of the protective factors will avail STIs campaign planners on how to develop effective intervention that target these factors known to promote abstinence and condom usage behaviour and its outcomes. The study concludes that there is a need for the implementation of an all-encompassing integrated multi-sectoral approach which will utilise all the various stakeholders in providing a comprehensive abstinence sexuality education for young adults. Keywords: Abstinence, Contraceptives, STIs, Campaign, Young adults.

Knowledge and Treatment Seeking Behaviour of University of Ilorin Students in Kwara State, Nigeria

The growing rate of risky sexual behaviour among young adults contributes significantly to the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections epidemic in Nigeria. As a result of which this study explores STIs knowledge and treatment seeking behaviour among University of Ilorin students aged between 18-25 years. An in-depth interview was conducted among forty students. The study reveals that young adults have a good knowledge of HIV/AIDS but few of them have little knowledge of only gonorrhoea. It was noted that the informants still have a lot of ambiguous information that relates to STIs. They also perceived risky sexual behaviour is common among their peers. When they had STIs, most of them prefer to get self-medications from traditional healers or patronize road side pharmacy. Also, they do not like to go to medical practitioners because of stigmatization by medical practitioners, lack of confidentiality, slow service and low cost. It is recommended that a multi-sectoral effort of young peoples’ families, Non-Governmental Organisations, traditional medical practitioners, media practitioners and health professionals towards improving STIs knowledge as well as promoting and encouraging preventive as well as effective treatment practices must be made available for this population. The study concludes that there is a need for the implementation of an all-encompassing integrated multi-sectoral approach which will utilise all the various stakeholders in providing a comprehensive abstinence sexuality education for young adults. Keywords: Knowledge, treatment, STIs, campaign, young adults

Some Cultural and Language Issues in Sexually Transmitted Diseases Campaign in Nigeria

Nigeria is one of the most linguistically diverse countries on the continent of Africa. However, while the continent has approximately 1000 distinct languages, Nigeria has approximately 25-50% of these languages. This situation portrays Nigeria as a culturally diverse and complex society. While some groups may be considered as one ethnic group because they speak the same language and engage in same economic activities, in the real sense of the matter, they may not be united because of differences in religions, political, settlement pattern and educational preferences. The influence of ethno cultural and language differences on sexually transmitted disease campaign cannot be underestimated. It is on the basis of this that attempt is made to examine some implications of cultural and language issues on the campaign against STD in Nigeria. This paper was able to establish the place of some cultural practices and linguistic differences in shaping STDs campaign in Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that the best way to address effectively the issue of STDs is for some Nigerians to do away with some cultural practices inhibiting effective STDs campaign and communicate STDs messages in local languages. Keywords: Issues, Languages, Ethno Cultural, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs

Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Secondary School Adolescents in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State Nigeria

The adolescent age is the period of sexual identity when adolescents make sense of their feeling and turn them into actions. This stage requires adequate knowledge of sexual behaviours so that adolescents will not rely on peer group for information. This is because of the far reaching effects it may have on them and the society at large due to misinformation and the consequences of the high risk sexual behaviours they may engage in like sexually transmitted diseases. This study therefore aims at accessing the knowledge and sources of information of STDs among adolescents in the Asa local government area of Kwara State, north central region of Nigeria. The study was carried out in three public secondary schools in  Ogbondoroko and Laduba towns, suburbs of the capital city, Ilorin. Information was gathered through questionnaire administration. A total of 240 questionnaires were administered to (SS1), (SS2) and (SS3) students in the study area and in all 210 were retrieved representing 88% return rate. The study made use of tables and simple percentages to present the data retrieved from the field, while the F-test  and T-test statistical tools were used to show the relationship between the variables. Findings revealed that adolescents in the study area have a fair knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases. The study also shows a significant relationship between class and knowledge of STDs as test shows a statistical  significant  relationship P<0.05. While age and sex show no significant relationship with knowledge of STDs as P>0.05.The study suggests that mass enlightenment  programmes in schools by government and other relevant agencies in the study area is key to adequate knowledge of STDs in the area.KeyWords: Sexually transmitted diseases, Adolescent, Knowledge, Information, Kwara State, Nigeria

Cellular Inflammatory Markers and Castelli Risk Indices in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Background: The clinical importance of early identification of potential predictors of cardiovascular events in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) cannot be overemphasized. This study aimed to determine the plasma levels of Castelli risk indices (CRI) and selected cellular inflammatory markers in women with GDM.Methods: A total of 40 pregnant women, consisting of 11 women with GDM and 29 women without GDM, were randomly enrolled into this case-control study using the convenient sampling method. Venous blood samples were taken. The plasma lipid profiles were determined using the spectrophotometric methods. White blood cell differential was counted using a microscope. Plasma levels of CRI-I, CRI-II, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and monocyte lymphocyte ratio (MLR) were calculated using the appropriate formula. Student’s t-test, Mann Whitney U, Chi-square, and Spearman’s rho correlations were used for statistical analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The CRI-I [6.58(6.06–7.60) vs 3.42(2.83–3.89)], CRI-II [4.59(4.17–5.28 vs 1.82(1.36–2.16)) and NLR (3.72±0.52 vs 2.63±0.61) were significantly higher in women with GDM. Likewise, the mean age (34.18±3.49), gestational weight (92.82±11.23), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (98.45±6.24), total cholesterol (TC) (310.92(290.81–360.78)), triglyceride (TG) (232.86(221.28–256.00), LDL-C (214.85(206.24–239.80), and neutrophil count (76.36±2.58) were significantly higher in women with GDM (p<0.05). In contrast, HDL-C (45.56(44.90–51.34), lymphocytes (20.82±2.14), and monocytes counts (2.73±1.10) were significantly lower in women with GDM. However, there was no difference in the MLR between the two groups.Conclusion: The CRI-I, CRI-II, and NLR are significantly elevated in women with GDM. Dyslipidemia and systemic inflammation are associated with GDM, which are forerunners of cardiovascular diseases

HIV/AIDS and cultural practices in Nigeria: An implication for HIV/AIDS preventive communication campaign

This article aims to examine the subtle links that exist between cultural practices and beliefs and the high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.It investigates the cultural practices that influence risky sexual behaviour and how cultural values of the people can be conceptualised into STIs preventive communication campaign in Nigeria. Data were gathered through an in-depth interview among young students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.The study also shows that socio-cultural environment and structural contexts are responsible for the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.Therefore, the non-centrality of culture in HIV/AIDS preventive campaign is one of the major reasons why very little success has been recorded in the area of behaviour change.The study emphasize that HIV/AIDS preventive communication campaign should not fight against the culture of the people because it might alienate the people whose cooperation is necessary if the prevalence of HIV/AIDS must be curbed.Therefore, the study advocates that campaign planners should rather try to make behaviour and practices safer in a way that is culturally acceptable to people