Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Health Behavior of Women and Immunization Status of Children in Nigeri

Women’s health behavior is a major barrier to the immunization status of children in Nigeria. Despite the intervention and progress over the years on childhood immunization in Nigeria four out of five children still do not see their fifth birthday due to preventable diseases. Women’s health behavior has been recognized as a major barrier to the immunization status of children in Nigeria. The purpose of this study is to examine the Socio-economic factors influencing the health behavior of women and immunization status of children in Nigeria. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) that included the women 15-49 years. The result of the analysis shows that 69.5% of the respondents have ever had vaccination. This study revealed that mothers’ level of education, type of occupation, place of residence, wealth quintile, religion and region were significantly associated with health behavior of women (p-value = 0.000). Region, residence, level of education varied significantly by respondents’ check-up after delivery (pvalue = 0.000), respondent checked health status before delivery (p-value= 0.000), and number of antenatal visits during pregnancy (p-value = 0.000). Future policy geared to increase immunization coverage will have to consider these factor

Exposure to Health Information and Women’s Behavioral Response to Immunization of Children in Nigeria

According to the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data immunization coverage for children aged 0-5 was 69.5% the literature show that exposure to health information and services is associated with Women’s behavioral response on children’s immunization. The purpose of this study is to examine key sources of women’s health information and behavior of children’s immunization in Nigeria. This study uses the NDHS data of 2013. Preliminary results show that exposure to TV and radio were significantly associated with respondent check-up after delivery (p-value = 0.000), number of antenatal visit (p-value = 0.000), baby post natal two monthly checks (p-value = 0000). Also, access to radio was significantly associated with children’s immunization status with respect to (1) BCG injection (pvalue = .0000), Polio injection (p-value = 0.000), and measles (p-value = 0.000). Future programming geared to increase immunization coverage in Nigeria will find these results useful for planning

Factors Influencing Women’s Employment Status and Fertility Preferences among Married Women in South-South Region of Nigeria

Evidence from the literature show that in developed countries where considerable proportion of women participate in the labor force, total fertility and population growth rate are considerably low. This is in sharp contrast to most less developed countries like Nigeria where women’s involvement in the labor force is low, and total fertility and growth rate are both consistently high. This study examines the relationships between factors influencing the relationships between women’s involvement in the labour force and fertility preferences with focus on south-south region of Nigeria. The study employed the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data sets. Analysis applied univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analytical techniques. Preliminary results show that current working status of women in the region vary significantly by age, education, no of co-wives, state of residence, and age at first sex of the respondents (p-values = 0.000). Other factors with positive significant association with current work status are; religion (p-value = 0.034), and wealth index (p-value = 0.030). Earnings of women in the south-south region of the country were significantly associated with age, residence, education, religion, wealth index state of residence, and age at first sex (p-values = 0.000). These results have importance significance for policy and programmes geared to increase women’s labour market involvement in Nigeria. The results from the multivariate analysis showed that policy makers and programmers need to consider variations and differences in state of residence, education, wealth status, and number of co-wives when designing tailor made programmes for these subgroups in the region

Gender-Based Violence and Pregnancy Outcomes among Couples and Cohabiting Partners in Nigeria.

Over the last two decades, the international community has expressed concerns on the increasing occurrence of gender-based violence and related consequences, particularly in African and many low-and middle-income countries. The 2006 United Nations General Assembly declaration on elimination of violence against women has been applauded across many settings. Intimate partner violence is a typical example of genderbased violence that occurs among males and females who have intimate relationships either as husbands and wives, or are in cohabiting relationship. This paper examines factors likely to influence gender-based violence and effects on pregnancy outcomes in Nigeria. The study used the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) couple data set of 8658 couples aged 15-49 for women and 15-59 for men. 6,961 were interviewed for domestic violence. Analysis employed univariate, bivariate and multivariate techniques i.e. binary logistic regression. Pregnancy outcome, measured as either live birth or stillbirth is the ultimate dependent variable. Explanatory factors are of two types (1) intervening factors are, physical, and emotional violence, and (2) background factors including age, residence, education, employment status, and religion among others. The results showed that residence, employment status, religion and partner’s age were significant factors explaining emotional, and physical violence among couples (p<0.05) While physical violence and emotional violence were significant associated with pregnancy outcome of either a live birth or still birth (P<0.05). The study also showed that respondents whose husband takes alcohol have a higher odds of experiencing violence while those who are working and educated beyond primary school also have higher odds of experiencing violence. These findings have significant implications for policy and programmes geared to improve on gender equity, and reproductive health of women in Nigeria

Key Factors Influencing Diarrhea Occurrence among Children aged 0-5 in Nigeria

The paper examined key factors influencing diarrhea occurrence among children aged 0-5 in Nigeria. The dependent variable, defined as diarrhea occurrence within two weeks of survey. Explanatory factors include socio-economic factors, hygienic conditions indicators, health and nutritional behaviors. Data on 20,984 married women with children aged 0-5 who participated in the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) were analyzed using logistics regression technique. Results showed that with respect to socio-economic factors, the odds of diarrhea occurrence decreased significantly by age (oldest category), region (southern), education (highest level), wealth status (richest category), and husband’s age (oldest category). The odds of diarrhea occurrence increased significantly by region (northern), and type of work (office/non-office related). On hygienic conditions, the odds of diarrhea occurrence increased significantly for respondents who reported safe source of drinking water, flushed or pit toilet facilities, and those who reported shared toilet facilities with other households. Health and nutritional behaviors that showed negative effects on diarrhea occurrence were on awareness/use of oral rehydration, postnatal baby check within two months of delivery, child exposed to non-breast milk within three days after delivery, and breastfeeding at time of survey. The paper discusses the direct and indirect relationships with policy and program implications hinging on additional relevant information on safe source of drinking water, improved hygienic conditions through better access to portable water, and better breastfeeding practices to ameliorate the situation

Urban-Rural Differentials in Socioeconomic Characteristics, Agents of Modernity, and Natural Resource Utilization: Towards ‘Greener’ Families in Nigeria

This paper focuses on factors influencing natural resource utilization among households in Nigeria with a view to conserving natural resource and promoting ‘greener’ households in the future. Dependent variables included, house floor main materials, house wall main materials, house roof main materials, and type of cooking fuels. Key independent variables were, age, region, residence, education, household size, number of co-wives, type of work, and agents of modernity were household access to; electricity, frequency listened to radio, and frequency watched TV. Data analysis differentiated between 23,403 rural and 15,545 urban women aged 15-49 who participated in the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) using logistics regression technique. Findings showed that odds of using finished materials for house compared to rudimentary/natural materials, or the odds of using refined vs. natural cooking fuel varied significantly in both rural and urban areas with respect to key background characteristics i.e. age, region, education, household size, type of work, and agents of modernity namely access to; electricity, radio, and TV. In addition, the odds were significant by number of co-wives, and husband’s age only in the rural areas. These key determinants of household natural resource use need be factored into policies and programs tailored to achieve natural resource conservation in the long-run

Gender-Based Violence and Pregnancy Outcomes among Couples and Cohabiting Partners in Nigeria

Over the last two decades, the international community has expressed concerns on the increasing occurrence of gender-based violence and related consequences, particularly in African and many low-and middle-income countries. The 2006 United Nations General Assembly declaration on elimination of violence against women has been applauded across many settings. Intimate partner violence is a typical example of gender-based violence that occurs among males and females who have intimate relationships either as husbands and wives, or are in cohabiting relationship. This paper examines factors likely to influence gender-based violence and effects on pregnancy outcomes in Nigeria. The study used the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) couple data set of 8658 couples aged 15-49 for women and 15-59 for men. 6,961 were interviewed for domestic violence. Analysis employed univariate, bivariate and multivariate techniques i.e. binary logistic regression. Pregnancy outcome, measured as either live birth or stillbirth is the ultimate dependent variable. Explanatory factors are of two types (1) intervening factors are, physical, and emotional violence, and (2) background factors including age, residence, education, employment status, and religion among others. The results showed that residence, employment status, religion and partner’s age were significant factors explaining emotional, and physical violence among couples (p<0.05) While physical violence and emotional violence were significant associated with pregnancy outcome of either a live birth or still birth (P<0.05). The study also showed that respondents whose husband takes alcohol have a higher odds of experiencing violence while those who are working and educated beyond primary school also have higher odds of experiencing violence. These findings have significant implications for policy and programmes geared to improve on gender equity, and reproductive health of women in Nigeria

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND POVERTY ERADICATION: ANY CONNECTION WITH DEMOGRAPHY?

The position paper presents the interconnection between demographic and gender gap dimension in university admission, and the suspected limitations to the success of STEM curricula in Nigeria. The thoughts presented were supported by archival-review of existing literature and empirical descriptive analysis of university enrolment with respect to STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The paper was a post-departmental seminar adjusted paper following audience comments. The presentation emphasised the systematic biases in support for higher institution with potential to constrain and weaken the humanities, social sciences and consequently discourage universities (especially the private) from advertising for humanities and social sciences courses. The result of analysis shows that the 4-year cumulative admission (2005-2008) for courses like agriculture, medical science, sciences and engineering was higher than the preceding 4-year (2001-2004) cumulative admission. The opposite was recorded in administration, arts, education and law, that range from 14.7% in 2006 to 18.5% in 2008. The social sciences witnessed 20% and 8.0% admission cut down in 2005 and 2008 respectively. Male/female enrolment gap range from 13.6% to 21.1%. The position is that STEM could be a dependable programme for technological advancement but the persistence gender gap in university enrolment could sustain the existing low economic status of women with possible potential for more socio-economic vices such as high fertility rate, infant and maternal morbidity and mortality, unemployment and poor family wellbeing. The authors recommend intervention programme that could boost women university enrolment in STEM subjects in Nigeria without relegating the humanities and social sciences

Multiple Exposure to Information about Family Planning and Contraceptive Use among Women in Nigeria

Exposure to the media advertising is known to help change attitudes and behavior of a targeted population. This study examined multiple exposures to Information about Family Planning and Contraceptive use among Women in Nigeria. The study used 2013 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) data set. Data analysis included Univariate, Bivariate, and Multivariate (binary logistic regression) techniques. Bivariate analysis findings showed that exposure to family planning information via radio, television, newspapers and told at health facility are significantly related to contraceptive use in Nigeria (p-value = 0.000). Also, Contraceptive use is significantly related to women characteristic such as age, marital status, residence, region, work status, religion, education and wealth index. (Pvalue = 0.000). Binary logistic regression showed that show that married women who heard FP information at health facility were 1.5 times as likely as those who did not, to report using contraception, and those exposed to multiple channels of family planning information were 2.5 times as likely as those who were not exposed to use contraceptive methods. Therefore policies that encourage more qualified health workers should be put in place so as to persuade women to use contraceptive. Also, NGO and family planning programmers should make use of multiple media channel for their campaign strategy in order to increase contraceptive use in Nigeria