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

Moderating Role of Demographic Characteristics in Breast Cancer Awareness and the Behavioural Disposition of Women in Ogun State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer incidence is fast increasing, posing a significant threat to the health of women of all races globally. In Nigeria, breast cancer causes the most cancer-related deaths among women each year as a result of inadequate awareness. AIM: This study is aimed at examining the moderating role of demographic characteristics in facilitating breast cancer awareness among women, and how it relates to their behavioural disposition to the disease. METHODS: The study adopted the descriptive (survey) and cross-sectional research designs to elicit information from women of adult age selected across five Local Government Areas in Ogun state. The data, collected through questionnaire were analysed through the use of a variance-based SEM Partial Least Square (PLS). RESULTS: The result shows that demographic characteristics (age and education) has a significant positive effect and jointly explain 74.9% of the variance in the breast cancer awareness and behavioural disposition among women in the study area. The findings revealed that a significant number of women with breast cancer had not acquired useful knowledge that could potentially be used to diagnose, prevent, and manage the disease. Unfortunately, the practice of Breast Self-Examination is grossly low among Nigerian women, as a consequence, only 20-30% of the women in study areas, including professionals, are aware of the benefits of BSE and only a smaller percentage practice BSE. CONCLUSION: There is, therefore, a need to educate women on the benefits of this simple life-saving procedure through the consistent use of media platforms

Child Swaddling or Back Wrapping During Street Trading: Where Are the Media to Protect Child Rights?

The study is premised on social responsibility and social epidemiological theories and examined the exposure of back-wrapped babies to health risk during street trading. Data were collected using structured face-to-face interviews and snowballing techniques among 228 Street trading women (with children aged ≤ 11 months), in one local government area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Data analyses involved univariate and multivariate methods. The results show that 58.3% of women interviewed wrapped their babies at their back while trading on the streets, ≥80% were not aware of any campaign against baby back-wrapping, 35% viewed baby back-wrapping as medicinal for the baby, and as traditional practice (59.2%). The multivariate analysis revealed that children wrapped while trading on the street are at higher risk of exposure to illness than those not back wrapped (OR=1.778, p=0.042). The authors suggested media campaign against back-wrapping baby while trading on the street to reduce exposure to diseases, mortalities and possibly achievement of sustainable development goal (SDG-3)

Modern contraceptive use in Northwestern Region of Nigeria: Rural-Urban segmentation analysis

Background: Northwestern region of Nigeria has among the lowest modern contraceptive use, and the highest fertility rate in the country, whereas there are little or no disaggregated information at the rural-urban level to shed light on the reasons for low use.Method: We analysed the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. The relationships between modern contraceptive use and predictors were examined using Chi-square and logistics regression. Findings: Findings showed that common determinants of modern contraceptive use among rural and urban respondents were, state of residence, religion, and fertility preference.  Determinants unique to rural respondents were; education, wealth status, number of siblings of respondents, and household had cable TV, and for urban respondents, unique determinants were, birth order of respondents, husband/partner’s education, household had radio, and mobile phone.Conclusion: Policy and program interventions need to use these additional insights to increase uptake of modern contraceptive use in the region

Spousal desertion and coping strategies among women with cervical cancer in Nigeria: a schematic framework for wellbeing

Background: Women that are not in good health cannot contribute to sustainable development but effective coping during and after sickness could enhance their contributions to development. Objective: The study examined the coping strategies among women with cervical cancer in different marital context in Nigeria Methods: In-depth interview from eight women survivors and patients of cervical cancer in two distinct marital contexts characterised by the presence or absence of husband from two states of Nigeria. Data were analysed using content analytic procedures and premised upon relationship-focused coping strategy theory.Results: The study identified basic coping strategies as seeking support from religious organisations and adjustment of sexual lifestyle.Conclusion: The study concluded that women’s coping strategies on cervical cancer varied according to marital context. The authors recommend counselling, increasing cervical cancer risk awareness and husband-wife support, especially during life-threatening sicknesses to engender quick recovery and improved well-being for sustaining women contributions to development

Consumers&rsquo; Knowledge and Use of Nutritional Labelling Information in Lagos, Nigeria

Nutrition labelling is a topical issue, being a vital aid that shapes consumers&rsquo; food choices and could be an efficient tool for the prevention of consumer vulnerability to diet-related diseases such as cancer, high blood pressure, hypertension, and obesity. However, data on the public use of nutritional labels as an information source on nutritional properties of foods and health claims, especially as it relates to Nigeria, are not popular in the literature. This study seeks to examine consumers&rsquo; use of labelling information: knowledge; attitude, and practice. A cross-sectional study with the aid of a survey elicited information from 374 randomly selected shoppers in five shopping malls in Lagos State. Data were analysed using the T-test method. Findings show that while the majority of the respondents (70.6%) read the nutritional information, only 64.9% understand the information presented on food labels. The study also reveals that the majority of the respondents (57.5%) do not know that information on food labels should be presented in the English language before any other language as recommended by the National Agency Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). While 57.9% of consumers have a positive attitude towards using food labels, 58% of the respondents&rsquo; buying decisions are influenced by food labels. The study concludes that consequent upon the importance of nutritional knowledge and wellbeing, consumers of Fast Moving Goods in Nigeria are beginning to consciously pay attention to nutritional labels. The study recommends that producers of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) products in Nigeria should adopt the total disclosure of ingredients and nutritional content of their products. Also, regulatory bodies in charge of pre-packaged food products in Nigeria (NAFDAC) should go the whole way and make nutritional labelling mandatory