Gender Communication: African Universities and the Empowerment of Women for Leadership

The history of missing, invisible, marginalised and violated women is long in Africa including Nigeria. However, there is no country in the world where women have achieved full equality, thus this paper examines gender issues through gender communication as well as gender disparities in higher education. In addition, the paper examines Africa, gender gaps and the role of universities in narrowing these gaps. Specific recommendations are made in the area of facilitating women’s growth and equality as well as creating awareness that promotes young women academics on a more sustainable basis. Keywords: Gender Communication; Marginalisation; Discrimination; Empowerment; and Leadership

Socio-Cultural Variables and Type of Birth Outcome of Women in Primary Health Care Facilities in Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria

This study determined the influence of socio-cultural variables on type of birth outcome of women in Primary Health Care facilities in Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria. The ex-post-facto design was adopted for the study. Seven research questions were formulated and seven null hypothesis were tested at .05 level of significance. The population of the study comprised 1200 pregnant and nursing mothers in four primary health care facilities in Ikot Ekpene. A simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 280 women for the study. A 72-item researcher-designed questionnaire entitled, “Socio-Cultural Variables and Birth Outcome Questionnaire (SCVBOQ)” was the instrument for data collection. Validation was ascertained while reliability was done using Cronbach Alpha Internal Consistency Statistics. Reliability Coefficient of .75 was obtained. Research questions were answered using the Mean Statistics while t-test statistical analysis was used to test the null hypotheses. Results revealed that women’s knowledge of health care services, attitude towards health care services, perception of the treatment methods, beliefs, residential locations and economic status had significant influence on type of birth outcome in Ikot Ekpene. It was recommended that frequent health campaigns should be carried out by health educators on the benefits of using Health Care facilities for delivery to prevent child birth complications and promote positive birth outcome in Ikot Ekpene. Keywords: Socio-cultural Variables, Birth Outcome, Women in Primary Health Care Facilities

Social-cultural practices and beliefs influencing maternal mortality

This study aimed to explore how sociocultural practices and beliefs may influence maternal mortality in Nigeria by examining the cultural practices and popular traditional beliefs of the Ibibio and Annang ethnic groups of Akwa Ibom state. The research used semi-structured and unstructured in-depth face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) for data collection. Two sites in Akwa lbom state of Nigeria—Etinan and Oruk Anam—were selected for the study. Thirty women of childbearing age and 10 men were interviewed. Four focus group discussions were held with 5 mothers-in-law, 5 menopausal women and 10 midwives. Thirty five observation sessions were conducted with seven traditional birth attendants (TBAs). Thematic analysis of the data was undertaken. The computer software programme NVivo 8 was used to support management of data. The findings are presented in two themes: Childbearing as an inevitable burden or destiny and pregnancy, mystery, and superstition and the role of TBA. The supernatural belief system and religious prophecies served to potentially delay referral of childbearing women with complications to health care facilities placing women's lives at risk. It was therefore recommended that TBAs need to receive better training to make timely referrals to hospitals. Furthermore, they should be encouraged to develop better working relationships with midwives

Prevention of maternal mortality by training the birth attendants of church-based maternity homes in Akwa-Ibom State

Context: A significant proportion of births in Nigeria still occur in spiritual churches and homes of traditional birth attendants. Recent studies have revealed a lot of complicated cases of obstructed labour from spiritual churches.Objectives: To examine the outcome of training and integration of the spiritual church based midwives on maternal morbidity and mortality.Design and Setting: A pre- and post-time series experimental study was conducted in five local governments of Akwa Ibom state in Nigeria.Subjects and Methods: Fourteen churchbased clinics were visited between 1st January 2001 and 31st January 2003. Structural interview and focus group discussion were used to collect data on their midwives knowledge of 20 risk factors in pregnancy, labour and puerperium and practice of referral. Formal teaching also was given for one month on midwifery practices. After the training, they were asked to keep proper records of all pregnant women. High risk cases were referred to Anua General Hospital in Akwa Ibom State. The records were checked at six and twelve month's interval.Results: Before the training only 10 (23.8%) midwives could recognise up to half of the listed risk factors. The knowledge and practice of referral increased significantly after training (