A note on suspect practices during the AIDS epidemic: vaginal drying and scarification in southwest Nigeria

Vaginal drying and scarification have been reported as possible risk factors. Published research on the former has been confined to East and Middle Africa. This paper reports on research in West Africa employing a survey of 1,976 females in southwest Nigeria, where they reported on their own vaginal drying, the scarification of their sons, and their participation in blood oaths. It was concluded that vaginal drying is not a risk-factor for AIDS in southwest Nigeria, and probably more broadly in West Africa, that scarification may be in the few cases when group scarification is practised, and that the practice of blood oaths probably puts those involved in danger

Intervention strategies suggested by the Nigerian segment of the SAREC program on sexual networking, STDs and AIDS

The primary purpose of this paper is to survey the behavioural findings of the Nigerian program and to draw conclusions about the most needed interventions, and those most likely to be successful, in combating sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. The emphasis is on the reduction of transmission of these diseases, partly because the number of Nigerian AIDS cases is as yet much smaller than was feared when the research program began. The Nigerian program began in 1989. It has always had two components. The first is a field research program, largely but not entirely focused on Ondo State; it was originally based in the Faculty of Social Science, Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti, and has since been transferred to the University's Centre for Population and Health Research. Parallel to this work, there had been developed a research program initiated by the West African Research Group on Sexual Networking (WARGSN). This Group has comprised 20 researchers based in 15 institutions, mostly in Nigeria and Ghana. Finally, the paper refers briefly to experience reported by the SAREC programs in Ghana and Uganda which have as yet no parallel in Nigeria, but which are important for a comprehensive examination of the situation

Men's sexual behaviour in urban and rural Southwest Nigeria: its cultural, social and attitudinal context

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The cultural, social and attitudinal context of male sexual behaviour in urban south-west Nigeria

From 1989 onward a research program based at Ondo State University, Nigeria, investigated the social and behavioural context of the sexually transmitted disease and AIDS epidemics (Orubuloye et al. 1994). Between 1989 and 1993 the researchers reached the conclusion that premarital and extramarital sexual activities were on a sufficient scale in Ondo State to maintain an STD epidemic and possibly to maintain an AIDS epidemic. The reason for caution with regard to AIDS arose from an awareness of the current relatively low seroprevalence levels in Nigeria and the demonstration by the program that much of the premarital and extramarital sexual activity was not with prostitutes but diffused more widely. The researchers also concluded that the economic returns to young women from commercial sex were so substantial and the current and later social sanctions so weak that no government intervention was likely to reduce the inflow of recruits to the occupation sufficiently to stem the STD epidemic or reduce the risk of a major AIDS epidemic. Clearly something would be achieved by a program aimed at increasing the practice of safe sex, especially the use of condoms, by everyone participating in sexual networking, particularly prostitution. There was little evidence that specific planned intervention was already achieving much, although some evidence that government and media AIDS publicity was raising the level of condom use in prostitution. There also seemed to be a need for STD education and curative interventions on a much greater scale. Nevertheless, until the achievement of decisive biomedical breakthroughs to halt the AIDS epidemic, the research increasingly suggested that the best chance of halting the AIDS epidemic and mitigating the impact of STDs was a change in male sexual behaviour

African families and AIDS : context, reactions and potential interventions

This paper reviews publications and research reports on how sub-Saharan African families have been affected by, and reacted to, the AIDS epidemic. The nature of the African family and its variation across the regions is shown to be basic to both an understanding of how the epidemic spread and of its impact. The volume of good social science research undertaken until now on the disease in Africa is shown to be extremely small relative to the need

African families and AIDS : context, reactions and potential interventions

This paper reviews publications and research reports on how sub-Saharan African families have been affected by, and reacted to, the AIDS epidemic. The nature of the African family and its variation across the regions is shown to be basic to both an understanding of how the epidemic spread and of its impact. The volume of good social science research undertaken until now on the disease in Africa is shown to be extremely small relative to the need

Male and female circumcision in Africa from a regional to a specific Nigerian examination

There is a strong relationship between male and female circumcision in traditional thought and, north of the equator, in their practice by ethnic groups. The Southwest Nigeria Study, a 1994-1995 survey of 1749 males and 1976 females in Nigeria's Ondo, Oyo and Lagos States, is used to examine contemporary levels of circumcision, reasons for carrying out the practice, and the circumstances of the circumcision operations. These findings are compared with earlier southwest Nigerian and West African studies. The persistence of the practices is confirmed, but rapid change towards their medicalization is also established. Possible links with AIDS are discussed.circumcision clitoridectomy Africa sub-Saharan Africa Nigeria AIDS

Perceived male sexual needs and male sexual behaviour in southwest Nigeria

Part of a research programme studying methods of combating the AIDS epidemic was a survey and accompanying qualitative research focused on attitudes toward male sexuality and male sexual behaviour outside marriage and the extent and success of female attempts to control it. A survey of 1749 males and 1976 females was conducted in urban and rural populations in three states of southwest Nigeria. The majority of the community believes that males are by nature sexually polygynous, although about half the community believes that male sexuality can and should be confined to marriage. These beliefs arise out of the nature of the traditional society and are being changed by new ways of life, education and imported religions. Nevertheless, sufficiently rapid change is unlikely, even if promoted by government, to successfully combat a major AIDS epidemic, and the major strategy should attempt to reduce the rate of transmission, especially in high-risk relationships.AIDS sexuality Africa polygyny STDs

Forum: Can health transition research improve health?

The nine papers which constitute this forum examine what is understood when the term "health" is used. They contend that an understanding of what health is, must be a necessary prerequisite of any discussion about whether it can be improved. Cooperation between all the players including governments, planners, researchers, health care workers, educators and individuals seeking or needing health care is addressed