Female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual functioning of married women in Oworonshoki Community, Lagos State, Nigeria

This article examines the nexus between Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and three thematic/fundamental areas of women sexual functioning in the study location. These thematic areas are women’s sexual desire/initiation, sexual activity and sexual satisfaction/enjoyment. To achieve the objectives of the study, a cross-sectional survey research method was adopted and 350 questionnaires were administered among ever married women. Elicited data were analyzed with the aids of quantitative analytical techniques. Findings of the study reveal that FGM hampered effective and efficient sexual functioning of the women in the study location as circumcised women reported defective sexuality and sexual dysfunctional. Based on these findings, it has been recommended that both state and non-state actors working in the areas of women’s reproductive health should develop appropriate intervention programmes to reduce/eradicate the practice of FGM in the study location. This will invariably help the married women to reach orgasm during sexual intercourse

Maternal Age at First Birth and Childhood Mortality in Yoruba Society: The Case of Osun State, Nigeria

This paper examines the nexus between maternal age at first birth and level of childhood mortality most especially within the socio-economic structure of Yoruba society in Nigeria. The understanding of this relationship is of direct relevance to governments and non-State actors working on child health with the aim to achieve the stated MDGs goal and its associated targets. To achieve the objective of the study, quantitative data were generated from 1,000 women in one of the six Yoruba speaking States in Nigeria: Osun State. A multi-stage random sampling technique was adopted to select the respondents, while percentages, means, standard deviation, Pearson chi square, t-test, analysis of variance and post hoc test of homogeneous were adopted to analyze generated data. Findings of the study show significant relationships between maternal age at first birth and childhood mortality level within the socio-demographic characteristics of women (such as place of residence, current age, occupational status, educational level, marital status, form of marriage and number of children ever born). Specifically, women who had their first birth below age 20 years exhibit significant higher number of childhood mortality in comparison with women who had their first birth by age 20 years and above at P<0.01 most especially when the later were at similar categories to the former. Thus, age at first birth is a strong determinant of relatively high childhood mortality level in the study area. Consequently, it is imperative for government and non-State actors working on child health in the region to develop appropriate policies and programmes that will address and inhibit early age at first birth in order to reduce significantly the level of childhood mortality in Yoruba society of Nigeria. Key words: Childhood Mortality, Maternal Age at First Birth, Yoruba society, Osun State, Nigeri

Sociology of HIV/AIDS Pandemic in Nigeria

This paper examines the complex nexuses that exist between sociological enterprise and knowledge of various intricacies that surround HIV/AIDS pandemic in Nigerian societies, more importantly on how to have deep and clearer understanding of those factors that are responsible for hyper-geometric rate of HIV transmission in the country. Three distinct sociological theories were adopted in the paper and it was demonstrated that HIV/AIDS pandemic is not only a medical problem but also it is a socio-cultural, economic and developmental problem in Nigeria. On the basis of this revelation, it has been recommended that government at different levels, policy makers, programme designers and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) working on how to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS pandemic in Nigeria should work within the socio-cultural, economic and development context of the country. This is one major way on how to achieve success in battle against HIV/AIDS pandemic in the country. Keywords: Sociology, Socio-cultural, Economics, Development, Sexuality, HIV/AIDS, Nigeria

Socio-economic consequences of development-induced internal displacement and the coping strategies of female victims in Lagos Nigeria: An ethno-demographic study

The plethora of violent strife, man-made or natural disasters, economic vicissitudes, and major development schemes have swelled the number refugees and internally displaced people, in the developing countries of the world lately. Statistics revealed that there are over 55 million people in this dire situation globally consisting of over 38 million internally displacedpeople, over 16 million refugees and over 1 million asylum-seekers. This study highlights the impacts, the socio-economic consequences of development-induced internal displacement on females in the Lagos urban space, evaluating the coping strategies employed by them. This is a qualitative study that employed a combination of key informant and in-depth interview methods to generate primary data from the samples purposively drawn from the population of interestwhich comprised people forcibly evicted from Badia, in Lagos State, Nigeria. The interviews were conducted from Tuesday 14th to Thursday 16th October 2014 using unstructured interview guide. The study establishes thatforcible eviction and the consequent displacements brought a myriad of economic, social and psychological hardships on the female victims in Badia, to which they were compelled to devise various ingenious survival and coping strategies. The study ascertains that women cope better emotionally and economically than men in such circumstances and it also found that extended family members are a significant pillar of support to displaced persons

Infertility and Treatment Seeking Behaviour among Women in Mushin Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria

A paradox in the demographic and epidemiological transitions in sub-Saharan Africa is that as population growth has increased, the rates of infertility have also increased, due to higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and earlier age at initiation of sexual intercourse. The majority of married couples desire to have their own biological children, and if they are unable to have children, it is, in most cases, the result of their inability to reproduce. The objective of this study was to examine the social context of infertility treatment seeking behaviour among women in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. Three theories were used to provide explanation for treatment seeking behaviour among women with unmet fertility needs. They include the Health Behaviour model (HBM), theory of stigma and Caldwell’s wealth flow theory of fertility. Mixed methods, including a cross-sectional survey and in-depth interview was adopted. The study revealed that nature of infertility and perceived cause of infertility have a significant influence on treatment seeking behaviour among women with unmet fertility needs. A significant number of the respondents visit traditional healers thus these traditional healers should be trained to aid them address the issue of infertility without complications

Power dynamics, gender relations and decision-making regarding induced abortion among university students in Nigeria

This study investigates the effects of gender and power relations on decision-making regarding induced abortion among undergraduate students in Nigeria. The qualitative in-depth interview method of data collection was utilised to elicit data on the objectives of the study. Findings of the study reveal four dimensions of gender and power relations that have significant impact on decision-making regarding induced abortion in the study location. The four essential forms of gender and power relations identified are: i.) Male-female power relations, ii.) Parent-child power relations, iii.) Significant order and power relations among peers, and iv.) Lecturer-student power relations. These four typologies of gender and power relations among other things promote a detrimental culture of clandestine and unsafe induced abortion among single young undergraduate students in Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, there is a need to strengthen the existing structure that promotes gender equality in the country. In addition, young female students that are sexually active should be empowered to adopt efficient and effective contraception. Furthermore, there is a need to build the capacity of Nigerian female undergraduate students especially in the areas of self-dignity and self-esteem in order for them to take right decisions whenever an unwanted pregnancy occurs

Irregular migration and coping strategies of undocumented migrants: A qualitative perspective from irregular returnees in Lagos State, Nigeria

This study examined the dynamics of irregular migration and coping strategies of irregular migrants among irregular returnees in Nigeria. The aim was to understand the patterns of irregular migration, coping strategies of irregular migrants, and condition of homeland among irregular returnees. The study adopted the non-experimental research design and used qualitative tools to capture important nuances, impressions and anecdotes from thirty-eight (38) respondents in Lagos State. Data were gathered by In-depth Interviews (IDIs) and analyzed through manual content analysis. Results indicate that economic factors tend to influence irregular migration, especially among those who go by land; while a number of migrants in irregular situation adopt different strategies such as changing their real names and engaging in underground jobs in destination places to cope. Furthermore, many irregular returnees were unable to acquire useful skills or raise capital during their stay; this made efforts towards self-improvement and contribution to homeland development difficult.     

Conception on maleness within conjugal and sexual contexts and involvement in family planning /household tasks among males in delta state

Evidence indicates that there is a low level of use of modern family planning methods among men in Nigeria. As a result, many women continue to bear children even after having their desired family size; hence, the persistent high rate of fertility and maternal and child mortality in the country. This study is an attempt to investigate the role of conception on masculinity among men, and how it affects their involvement in family planning and household tasks in Delta State. It aimed to see whether how men view their position as husbands, their number of sexual partners and how they interpret sexuality influence their attitudes towards involvement in family planning and household’s tasks. Results indicate that men’s view of their position in marriage affects their involvement in family planning with p<0.001at an alpha level of 0.05. Logistics regression model reveals that men’s level of education is a predictor to males’ involvement in household tasks. In other words, the higher the education among men, the less likely they will involve in household tasks. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended that the nation’s educational curricular be reviewed to include teachings that will encourage men to participate in household tasks.Keywords: Patriarchy; Delta State; family-planning; household-tasks; sexual act

Survey of Hypertension Diabetes and Obesity in Three Nigerian Urban Slums

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) exist in slums as the inhabitants adopt an urbanized lifestyle which places them at a higher risk for. Lack of knowledge about the morbidity, complications and the method of control contributes to a large percentage of undetected and untreated cases.Methods: This cross-sectional survey polled 2,434 respondents from Ijora Oloye, Ajegunle and Makoko, three urban slums in Lagos metropolis, southwestern Nigeria between June 2010 and October 2012. We investigated the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Respondents signed consent forms and their health conditions were documented based on self-reported history of diabetes, hypertension and family history using a semi-structured questionnaire. Diagnostic tests; weight and height for body mass index, blood glucose, and blood pressure were performed.Results: More than one quarter of the participants were suffering from hypertension and only half of this were diagnosed earlier, while a further few were already on treatment. Therefore on screening, it had been possible to diagnose over three hundred more respondents, who were not previously aware of their health status. The respondents’ BMI showed that more than half of them were either overweight or obese and are at risk for diabetes, while 3.3% were confirmed as being diabetic, with their sugar levels greater than the normal range.Conclusion: This study therefore revealed the near absence of screening programs for chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity in these urban slums. This was further confirmed by the detection of new and undiagnosed cases of hypertension in about one quarter of the respondents