The Demography of South Africa

Tukufu Zuberi, Amson Sibanda, And Eric Udjo (Eds.) TheDemography of South Africa

Impacts of Male Reproductive Health Diseases on Conjugal Satisfaction in Nigeria and Wives’ Coping Strategies

The impact of male reproductive health challenges within the conjugal relationship and their management have not been conspicuous in the literature till date. This study examined the incidence of male reproductive health diseases and conjugal satisfaction among married women in Lagos and Osun States Nigeria. The data for the study were extracted from a 2010 survey of 435 couples in the southwest Nigeria. Data obtained were analyzed using a combination of univariate and binary logistic. The common male reproductive health challenges identified include erectile dysfunction (10.5%), gonorrhea (12.7%), low sperm count (0.1%), testicular cancer (6.3%), prostate cancer (3.2%) and prostate cancer (1.6%). Where the husbands experience erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer or gonorrhea, the couples are 0.064, 0.898 and 0.583 times (respectively) less likely to enjoy marital satisfaction than where the diseases are absent. It recommends establishment of robust specialized reproductive healthcare services to cater for health needs of men, who may be experiencing sexual problems in order to engender stability in family relationship and Nigeria. The study concludes that marriage counselors, social workers and other health officials need to focus on erectile dysfunction, gonorrhea and prostate cancer as major determinants of sustainable marital satisfaction. Key words: Male reproductive health diseases, sexual, conjugal relationship, coping strategie

Male reproductive health challenges: appraisal of wives coping strategies

Background: Systematic studies on the association between men’s sexual dysfunction (low sexual desire, ejaculation disorders, erectile dysfunctions, genital ulcers, testicular disorders, prostate cancer or sexually transmitted infections) and marital conflict are emerging. However, the coping strategies adopted by wives in such circumstances are not commonly reported in the literature. Male sexual functioning is vital to the marital relationship, lack of it can result in intolerable cohabitation or relationship breakdown, and could also cause infertility, infidelity, and arouse stigma in Nigeria. The understanding of coping strategies by female partners could guide in the counselling and treatment of men’s sexual health problems. Effective coping has the potential to lessen or prevent negative outcomes, and thereby could reduce marital conflict. Objectives: This study examined the coping strategies adopted by women whose husbands have reproductive health challenges in two of the five states with the highest proportion of divorce/separation in Nigeria. Methods: Four focus group discussions were conducted in two local government areas. The women were recruited from a quantitative couple-study for men with sexual health problems. Focus group responses were transcribed and analysed using systematic-content-analysis with thematic organisation of the summaries and systematic typologies of participants’ responses. Results: The results revealed the coping strategies employed by women in this environment: seeking guidance from their religious leaders and family doctors, physical-sexual-therapy, abstinence and concubinage. The participants indicated that they encountered difficulties in discussing their husbands’ sexual health problems with a third party. Conclusion: The study concludes that husband’s sexual ability is crucial to the sustenance of the marital relationship. Religious leaders and family doctors often serve as mediators to husband-wife conflict management. Counselling is recommended in cases of sexual health problems. Husbands should be encouraged to seek treatment and share their sexual challenges with their spouse. The medical officers and religious leaders could also be trained in family-conflict management

Are Men’s Reproductive Health Problems and Sexual Behavior Predictors of Welfare?

The study examined men’s reproductive health problems and sexual behavior and their implications for men’s welfare in Nigeria. It used the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data set of 2013. The analysis used only male recode files, representing 17,359 males. The dependent variable is the computed wealth index, which was selected as proxy for welfare condition. Analysis involved univariate and multivariate levels. The findings indicated that 49.3% of the respondents currently have more than one sexual partner. The total lifetime sexual partner index identifies 70.2% of the men interviewed have had at least two sexual partners in their lifetime. It revealed that men who experience reproductive health challenges, such as sexually transmitted infections and genital ulcer, are 44% and 93%, respectively, less likely to enjoy good welfare condition. It also indicated that men in urban area are 7.256 times more likely to enjoy good welfare condition compared with their rural counterparts. There is a negative association between total lifetime sexual partnerships and exposure to good welfare. The study concludes that social workers, marriage counselors, other health personnel, and policy makers need to focus on the practice of multiple sexual partnership and reproductive health diseases as major determinants of men’s welfare. The authors suggest that the index of welfare should include reproductive health issues and indicators of sexual behavior. Also, there is need for the establishment of specialized reproductive health care services and centers that are accessible to all men for effective servicing of reproductive health needs of men in the country

Are Men’s Reproductive Health Problems and Sexual Behavior Predictors of Welfare?

The study examined men’s reproductive health problems and sexual behaviour and their implications for men welfare in Nigeria. It used the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey dataset of 2013. The analysis used only male recode files, representing 17,359 males. The dependent variable is the computed wealth index (CWI) which was selected as proxy for welfare condition. Analysis involved univariate and multivariate levels. The findings indicated that 49.3% of the respondents currently have more than one sexual partner. The total lifetime sexual partner index identifies 70.2% of the men interviewed have had at least two sexual partners in their life time. It revealed that men that experience reproductive health challenges such as STIs and genital ulcer are 93% and 96% respectively less likely to enjoy good welfare condition. It also indicated that men in urban area are 7.256 times more likely to enjoy good welfare condition compared to their rural counterparts. There is a negative association between total lifetime sexual partnerships and exposure to good welfare. The study concludes that social workers, marriage counselors, other health personnel and policy makers need to focus on the practice of multiple sexual partnership and reproductive health diseases as major determinants of men’s welfare. The authors suggest that the index of welfare should include reproductive health issues and indicators of sexual behaviour. Also, there is need for the establishment of specialized reproductive healthcare services and centers that are accessible to all men for effective servicing of reproductive health needs of men in the country. Key words: Men, welfare, reproductive health diseases, GD

Unavailability of Essential Obstetric Care Services in a Local Government Area of South-West Nigeria

This paper reports the findings at baseline in a multi-phase project that aimed at reducing maternal morta-lity in a local government area (LGA) of South-West Nigeria. The objectives were to determine the avail-ability of essential obstetric care (EOC) services in the LGA and to assess the quality of existing services. The first phase of this interventional study, which is the focus of this paper, consisted of a baseline health facility and needs assessment survey using instruments adapted from the United Nations guidelines. Twenty-one of 26 health facilities surveyed were public facilities, and five were privately owned. None of the facilities met the criteria for a basic EOC facility, while only one private facility met the criteria for a comprehensive EOC facility. Three facilities employed a nurse and/or a midwife, while unskilled health attendants manned 46% of the facilities. No health worker in the LGA had ever been trained in lifesaving skills. There was a widespread lack of basic EOC equipment and supplies. The study concluded that there were major deficiencies in the supply side of obstetric care services in the LGA, and EOC was almost non-existent. This result has implications for interventions for the reduction of maternal mortality in the LGA and in Nigeria

Male reproductive health challenges: appraisal of wives coping strategies

Abstract Background Systematic studies on the association between men’s sexual dysfunction (low sexual desire, ejaculation disorders, erectile dysfunctions, genital ulcers, testicular disorders, prostate cancer or sexually transmitted infections) and marital conflict are emerging. However, the coping strategies adopted by wives in such circumstances are not commonly reported in the literature. Male sexual functioning is vital to the marital relationship, lack of it can result in intolerable cohabitation or relationship breakdown, and could also cause infertility, infidelity, and arouse stigma in Nigeria. The understanding of coping strategies by female partners could guide in the counselling and treatment of men’s sexual health problems. Effective coping has the potential to lessen or prevent negative outcomes, and thereby could reduce marital conflict. Objectives This study examined the coping strategies adopted by women whose husbands have reproductive health challenges in two of the five states with the highest proportion of divorce/separation in Nigeria. Methods Four focus group discussions were conducted in two local government areas. The women were recruited from a quantitative couple-study for men with sexual health problems. Focus group responses were transcribed and analysed using systematic-content-analysis with thematic organisation of the summaries and systematic typologies of participants’ responses. Results The results revealed the coping strategies employed by women in this environment: seeking guidance from their religious leaders and family doctors, physical-sexual-therapy, abstinence and concubinage. The participants indicated that they encountered difficulties in discussing their husbands’ sexual health problems with a third party. Conclusion The study concludes that husband’s sexual ability is crucial to the sustenance of the marital relationship. Religious leaders and family doctors often serve as mediators to husband-wife conflict management. Counselling is recommended in cases of sexual health problems. Husbands should be encouraged to seek treatment and share their sexual challenges with their spouse. The medical officers and religious leaders could also be trained in family-conflict management