Stigma Hurts: Exploring Employer and Employee Perceptions of Tattoos and Body Piercings in Nigeria

Purpose – This study draws on social stigma and prejudice to examine the perceptions and beliefs of managers and employees regarding visible tattoos and body piercings, as well as the impact they have on potential employment and human resource management in the global South, using Nigeria as the research context. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a qualitative research approach, drawing on data from forty-three semi-structured interviews with managers and employees in Nigeria. Findings – Contrary to the popular opinion that tattoos and body piercings are becoming more accepted and mainstream in society, this study finds that some Nigerian employers and employees may stigmatise and discriminate against people with visible tattoos and body piercings. The findings of this study suggest that beliefs about tattoos are predicated on ideologies as well as religious and sociocultural values, which then influence corporate values. Practical Implications – Religious and sociocultural preconceptions about people with visible tattoos and body piercings have negative implications for the recruitment and employment of such people and could prevent organisations from hiring and keeping talented employees. This implies that talented employees might experience prejudice at job interviews, preventing them from gaining employment. Furthermore, stigmatising and discriminating against people with visible tattoos and body piercings may lead to the termination of employment of talented employees, which could negatively affect organisational productivity and growth. Originality/value – This study provides an insight into employment relations with regards to tattoos and body piercings in Nigeria. It also makes some contributions to the social psychology of workplace prejudice and highlights the reasons for the stigma and prejudice against individuals with visible tattoos and body piercings

The Work-Family Balance of British Working Women During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Purpose – The COVID-19 pandemic has affected women in unique gender-specific ways, particularly their traditional status as home managers. This study draws on role theory to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s work-family balance during the lockdown. Design/methodology/approach – The current COVID-19 pandemic, which has altered the ways in which we live and work, requires specific methodological tools to be understood. We therefore opted for a interpretive-constructivist and constructivist-phenomenologist approach. The dataset thus comprises of semi-structured interviews with twenty-six working women in the UK. Findings – The findings illustrate how the COVID-19 lockdown has intensified British women’s domestic workload and has thus caused unbridled role conflict, which has further been exacerbated by structural and interactional roles undertaken by women especially during the lockdown. Remote working has contributed to women’s role congestion and role conflict and poses severe challenges to role differentiation. Furthermore, we found that the lockdown has facilitated the rediscovery of family values and closeness, which is connected to the decline in juvenile delinquency and low crime rate that has resulted from the lockdown. Originality/value – Through the lens of the role theory, this study concludes that the cohabitation of work and family duties within the domestic space undermines the ability to achieve work-family balance and role differentiation due to the occurrence of inter-role conflicts. This study enriches our understanding of the effect of remote working on female employees’ work-family balance during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

COVID-19 Mutual Disabilities in Edo State Gubernatorial Electoral Process

The conduct of elections in Nigeria is generally associated with manipulation, which has often undermined the credibility and fairness of the process since the country gained its independence. COVID-19 poses a very serious challenge to the electoral process, considering the nature of the disease, which has led to the promotion of limited physical interaction as an approach to mitigate its transmission and safeguard the health of the people while at the same time impacting negatively on state's electoral justice. While elections remain a key factor to the attainment of political positions in a democratic setting globally, several scholars and media reports have made attempts to assess the political intrigues in the state of Edo as a result of the tense atmosphere created by political gladiators. The use of the pandemic and various forms of propaganda to destabilise the camp of perceived opponents with the aim of winning public support are notable strategies employed by the main contending political parties and their candidates as the election approaches. Therefore, this article evaluates the impediments and political manoeuvrings in the electoral process in the state of Edo, considering the increasing number of corona-virus infections, the country's frail electoral system, and the desire to maintain credible democratic consolidation in the country

Modern-Day Slavery? The Work-Life Conflict of Domestic Workers in Nigeria

Purpose – The trend of domestic employment thrives almost in every society. It is most common in developing countries, and Nigeria is no exception. This article examines the nature of the role of a domestic worker in Nigeria and the work-life conflict issues involved in such work. Design/Methodology/Approach – This study uses a qualitative research approach to examine the nature of the role of domestic workers and the associated work-life conflict issues. Findings – The findings show that the nature of the jobs of domestic workers in Nigeria gives rise to a situation of modern-day slavery in which an employee works without a formal employment contract, with little or no rights to private time. Long and unstructured working hours, employers’ perceptions about domestic workers, and an enormous workload fuel and exacerbate work-life conflict among domestic workers in Nigeria. Research Limitations/Implications – The extent to which the findings of this research can be generalised is constrained by the limited and selected sample of the research and the research context. Practical Implications – The primacy of the employer over the employee in domestic employment means that both time and work-based conflicts continue to buffer work-life conflict if domestic workers’ working hours remain unscheduled and their employers’ perceptions about them remain unchanged. This invariably has a negative impact on the domestic workers’ health and productivity. Therefore, domestic employment should be regulated by law, and domestic workers should be treated like other formal employees. Originality/Value – This research contributes to the debates on work-life conflict by highlighting the nature of the role of domestic workers in a non-western context, Nigeria, and provides a nuanced insight into the work-life conflict issues involved in such work. The findings add conceptual thought and empirical evidence to the debate on work-life conflict

Do diabetes-specialty clinics differ in management approach and outcome? A cross-sectional assessment of ambulatory type 2 diabetes patients in two teaching hospitals in Nigeria

Objectives: To evaluate management approach and outcome in two endocrinologist-managed clinics using data on treatment adherence, diabetes specific parameters, prescribed medications and self-management practices among ambulatory type 2 diabetes patients. Opinion on cause(s) and perceived fear about diabetes were also explored.Design: A cross-sectional prospective study using semi-structured interview among consented patients for eightweek, and a review of participants’ case notes at 3-month post-interactive contact for details of diabetes-specific parameters and antidiabetes medicationsSettings: The University College Hospital (UCH) and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) in southwestern Nigeria.Participants: Adult patients with type 2 diabetes, on therapies for >3-month and who had average fasting blood glucose (FBG)>6.0mmol/L were enrolled. All patients with type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes who decline participation were excluded. Out of 185 participants who were approached, 176(95.1%) consented and completed the study including 113(64.2%) from UCH and 63(35.8%) in OAUTHC.Results: Mean FBG for patients were 9.6mmol/L in UCH and 11.0mmol/L in OAUTHC (p=0.03). Medication adherence among patients was 47(46.5%) in UCH and 31(52.5%) in OAUTHC (p=0.46). Prescribed antidiabetes medications between the clinics significantly differ. Practice of self-monitoring of blood glucose among participants was 26(23.0%) in UCH and 13(20.6%) in OAUTHC (p=0.72). Thirty two participants (29.4%) in UCH and 33(43.4%) from OAUTHC (p=0.02) mentioned complications as perceived fear about type 2 diabetes.Conclusion: There are differences and similarities between the diabetes-specialty clinics with respect to diabetes management and outcome. This underscores the necessity for a protocol-driven treatment approach in ensuring improved diabetes care and outcome.Funding: None declaredKeywords: Ambulatory care, Diabetes-specialty clinic, Management approach, Type 2 diabete

Understanding the causes and consequences of work-family conflict: an exploratory study of Nigerian employees

Abstract Purpose - An important theme for a 21st century employee is a desire for work and family balance which is devoid of conflict. Drawing on detailed empirical research, this article examines the multi-faceted causes and consequences of work-family conflict in a non-western context (Nigeria). Methodology - The paper uses qualitative data gleaned from the semi-structured interviews of 88 employees (44 university lecturers and 44 medical doctors) in cities in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Findings – The findings showed that work pressure, heavy familial duties, poor infrastructural facilities, and a lack of suitable and practicable work-family balance policies are the main causes of work-family conflict in Nigeria. Juvenile delinquencies, broken marriages/families, and an unhappy workforce are among the grave consequences of work-family conflict among Nigerian employees. Originality/value – This article suggests that the availability of basic infrastructural facilities, more governmental support, practicable work-family policies, inter alia, will reduce the level of work-family conflict for Nigerian employees and will also results in positive spill-over from the work domain to the family domain and vice-versa

Social Support, Treatment Adherence and Outcome among Hypertensive and Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Ambulatory Care Settings in southwestern Nigeria

Objectives: To evaluate available and desired sources and types of social-support among hypertensive and type-2- diabetes (T2D) patients. Associations of medication adherence and clinical outcome with access to most available social-support and medicine affordability were subsequently investigated.Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire-guided interview among 250-hypertensive and 200-T2D patients, and review of medical records to retrieve disease-specific clinical parameters.Settings: University College Hospital and Ring-Road State Hospital, Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria.Participants: Adults out-patients with hypertension, T2D, and T2D comorbid with hypertension were enrolled, while in-patients were excluded.Results: Family source of support was the most available [hypertensive (225; 90.0%); T2D (174; 87.0%)], but government and non-governmental organisation support were largely desired, with financial support preferred, 233(93.2%) hypertensive and 190(95.0%) T2D, respectively. Adherent hypertensive patients with or without access to family support were (127; 56.4%) versus (18; 72.0%), p=0.135; while for T2D were (103; 59.2%) versus (21;80.8%), p=0.035. Mean systolic blood pressure of hypertensive and fasting plasma glucose of T2D with access to family and financial support were better than their counterparts without access (p>0.05). Hypertensive (110; 76.4%) and T2D (87; 87.0%) participants who consistently afford medicine expenses had significantly better adherence and outcome (p<0.05).Conclusions: Family source of support is the most accessible, but government and non-governmental organisation support were largely desired. Access to family support did not positively influence medication adherence, while access to financial support marginally impacted on outcome among hypertensive and T2D patients. However, unwaveringtendency for therapy affordability significantly influenced adherence and outcome, thus, the need for expanded social-support system in order to consistently ensure improved outcome.Funding: None declaredKeywords: Social support system, Type 2 diabetes, Hypertension, Treatment adherence and outcome, Out-patient

Evaluation of prescription pattern and patients’ opinion on healthcare practices in selected primary healthcare facilities in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria

Background: Inappropriate prescribing negatively impacts on health and economy of individual and the society.Objectives: To evaluate the prescribing patterns and patients’ opinions on healthcare practices in selected primary healthcare centres (PHC) in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out among patients and healthcare workers in selected PHCs using semi-structured questionnaires. Also, patients’ prescription records were reviewed using the WHO-prescribing indicators.Results: About one-half (210; 52.5%) were very satisfied with convenience of obtaining prescribed medicines in the PHCs, accessibility of PHC to abode (158;39.5%) and affordable medications (136;34.0%). Patients were dissatisfied with follow-up of care (191; 47.8%), courtesy of workers (184; 46.3%) and non-availability of medicines (138;34.5%). Number of drugs per encounter was 5.8±2.3 and % encounter with an antibiotic was >26.8% in each facility. Hematinics accounted for (814; 35.0%), analgesics (544; 23.4%), antimicrobials (303;13.0%) and antihypertensives (5; 0.2%).Conclusion: Primary healthcare attendees were satisfied with medication costs affordability and accessibility of PHC to abode but expressed dissatisfaction with follow-up of care and courtesy of workers. Also, inappropriate prescriptions characterized by polypharmacy and overuse of antibiotics were common underscoring the need for regular training of PHC workers on rational drug use and instituting appropriate measures for improvement.Keywords: Primary healthcare, healthcare workers, prescribing pattern

Declining job security level and workers’ perfomance in selected banks, South Western Nigeria

The study assessed bank workers’ level of job security and also investigated the relationship between job security level and job performance among employees of the banks. The study adopted cross-sectional research design where primary and secondary data were sourced. Primary data were obtained through both quantitative and qualitative techniques of data collection while Secondary data were extracted from Annual Reports of the selected Banks. The sample consisted of 210 bank workers selected for questionnaire administration and 15 workers for In-depth Interviews (IDIs) especially those that have been working with the bank for the past three years. These comprised both permanent and contract workers. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. The result showed that majority (58.7%) considered the level of their job security to be low while (41.3%) considered the level of their job security as high across the selected banks. However, bank by bank evaluations of low level of job security did not show any major differences as Stanbic-IBTC Bank reported (51.4%), Wema Bank (70%), and First Bank (51.4%). The findings also showed that workers, regardless of their perception and feelings of job loss reported increase in their performance. Hence, there existed no significant relationship between job security level and performance (χ2 = 0.75; p> 0.05). The paper concluded that declining job security level is inevitable in the banking industry because of reforms in the Nigeria banking sector. However, this did not lower workers’ performance, otherwise performance were enhanced. It then recommended the need for Nigerian banks to employ the required number of workers they are capable of providing for and put an enabling environment for workers to perform.Key Words: Job Security Level, Workers’ Performance, Bank Reforms, Bank Categorization.RésuméL’étude a évalué le niveau de sécurité d’emploi des employés de banque de et également examiné la relation entre le niveau de sécurité d’emploi et le rendement au travail des employés des banques . L’étude a adopté la conception de la recherche transversale où les données primaires et secondaires ont été puisées . Les données primaires ont été obtenues par les deux techniques quantitatives et qualitatives de collecte de données tandis que les données secondaires ont été extraites des rapports annuels des banques sélectionnées . L’échantillon se composait de 210 employés de banque sélectionnés pour l’administration du questionnaire et 15 travailleurs pour des entrevues en profondeur ( IDIS ), en particulier ceux qui ont travaillé avec la banque pour les trois dernières années . Ces travailleurs permanents et contractuels compris . Données quantitatives ont été analysées à l’aide de statistiques descriptives et inférentielles alors que les données qualitatives ont été analysées par analyse de contenu. Le résultat a montré que la majorité ( 58,7% ) a examiné le niveau de sécurité de leur emploi devrait être faible alors que ( 41,3% ) considère le niveau de leur sécurité d’emploi élevé dans les banques sélectionnées . Cependant , la banque d’évaluations bancaires de faible niveau de sécurité d’emploi n’a pas montré de différences majeures que Stanbic - IBTC Banque rapportés ( 51,4 % ) , Wema Bank ( 70 % ) , et First Bank ( 51,4 % ) . Les résultats montrent également que les travailleurs , indépendamment de leur perception et le sentiment de perte d’emploi signalé augmentation de leur performance. Par conséquent, il n’existait pas de relation significative entre le niveau et la performance de la sécurité d’emploi ( χ2 = 0,75 , p > 0,05 ) . Le document conclut que la baisse de niveau de sécurité de l’emploi est inévitable dans le secteur bancaire en raison des réformes dans le secteur bancaire au Nigeria . Cependant , ce fait le rendement des travailleurs non inférieurs , sinon les performances ont été améliorées . Il a ensuite recommandé la nécessité pour les banques nigérianes à employer le nombre de travailleurs qu’ils sont capables de prévoir et mettre un environnement favorable pour les travailleurs à effectuer.Mots clés: emploi niveau de sécurité , la performance des travailleurs, réformes de la Banque , la Banque catégorisation