News framing of ethno-political issues and conflict behaviours: Etnic conflict pathways model

News framing study impacts on public opinions and behaviours formation have been severally established. However, its influence on ethnic conflicts which have remained a challenge have not received adequate attention. Despite that the erstwhile causes identified and solutions offered have not really helped in the containment mostly in multiethnic societies. Based on this, the need for a new approach to investigate news framing and conflict behaviours has become imperative. This therefore was the impetus for this study’s exploration and examination of the ethnic conflict motives and stimulants for conflict behaviours which is the main helix. The study explored the waves of news frames on ethnic conflict through a mixed methods design. The indepth interview with 26 informants residents in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria was used, while content analysis of three major newspapers in Nigeria was applied to complement the collection of data. The interview data was analyzed thematically while the content analysis was analysed descriptively. The results showed that ethnic group leaders are the main protagonists in the pathway to ethnic conflict while newspaper framing stimulates ethnic differences through conflict oriented framing. The study has significantly contributed fresh and up-to-date angles to the overall perspectives of how newspapers frames have been directly and indirectly influencing ethnic conflict. In addition the possible solutions have been proposed. The study concludes that structural factors (political and economic exclusion, injustice, poverty, and inequality) and how newspapers frame ethnic issues are the reasons for the intractable conflict behaviours and ethnic conflicts in Nigeria.This study proposed a model to guide the ethnic conflict pathways understanding and solution strategies for multiethnic societies to manage ethnic conflict

Do diabetes-specialty clinics differ in management approach and outcome? A cross-sectional assessment of ambulatory type 2 diabetes patients in two teaching hospitals in Nigeria

Objectives: To evaluate management approach and outcome in two endocrinologist-managed clinics using data on treatment adherence, diabetes specific parameters, prescribed medications and self-management practices among ambulatory type 2 diabetes patients. Opinion on cause(s) and perceived fear about diabetes were also explored.Design: A cross-sectional prospective study using semi-structured interview among consented patients for eightweek, and a review of participants’ case notes at 3-month post-interactive contact for details of diabetes-specific parameters and antidiabetes medicationsSettings: The University College Hospital (UCH) and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) in southwestern Nigeria.Participants: Adult patients with type 2 diabetes, on therapies for >3-month and who had average fasting blood glucose (FBG)>6.0mmol/L were enrolled. All patients with type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes who decline participation were excluded. Out of 185 participants who were approached, 176(95.1%) consented and completed the study including 113(64.2%) from UCH and 63(35.8%) in OAUTHC.Results: Mean FBG for patients were 9.6mmol/L in UCH and 11.0mmol/L in OAUTHC (p=0.03). Medication adherence among patients was 47(46.5%) in UCH and 31(52.5%) in OAUTHC (p=0.46). Prescribed antidiabetes medications between the clinics significantly differ. Practice of self-monitoring of blood glucose among participants was 26(23.0%) in UCH and 13(20.6%) in OAUTHC (p=0.72). Thirty two participants (29.4%) in UCH and 33(43.4%) from OAUTHC (p=0.02) mentioned complications as perceived fear about type 2 diabetes.Conclusion: There are differences and similarities between the diabetes-specialty clinics with respect to diabetes management and outcome. This underscores the necessity for a protocol-driven treatment approach in ensuring improved diabetes care and outcome.Funding: None declaredKeywords: Ambulatory care, Diabetes-specialty clinic, Management approach, Type 2 diabete

News framing and ethnic conflicts vulnerability in multiethnic societies

The springboard of conflicts in most multiethnic African societies have been alluded to the media and ethnic group leaders, however much attention has not been directed at these helixes.More so that there is a new strong concern about the increasing cases of ethnic conflicts being stimulated by dramatic surge in intolerant expressions, the hardening of ethno-political positions and the proliferation of ethnic militias that have unleashed varying degrees of violence and terror on the polity while the government interventions appeared ineffective.This motivates the main objective of this study which goes beyond understanding the immediate motives for ethnic conflicts in Nigeria but to discover the mainsprings of ethnic conflict behaviour in relation to the roles of newspaper framing and ethnic groups’ attitudes alongside a long lasting solutions.Therefore, series of accusations against the Nigeria newspapers by the ethnic group leaders lead us to understand that the media are indeed insensitive on the issues of ethnic conflict. Also, that from bias framing of ethnic issues, newspapers have enormous power in setting ethnic differences which shape conflict behaviour. Another salient but veiled influences emanating from the findings are the ethnic consciousness and intolerance that have continued to impede the relationship among ethnic groups as well as progress of Nigeria. Due to high level intolerance for each other, every action and inaction is given ethnic coloration as a result conflict ensue. Meanwhile, both government and media self-regulation should be strengthened to curb the excesses that stimulate ethnic conflicts.Hence, how the newspaper presents news of ethnic issues should be a direction for future research

Issues and consequences of newspaper framing on ethnic conflict: a qualitative study of ethnic group leaders’ conflict frames

This paper attempts to explore the waves of media frames on ethnic group leaders’ conflict frames. In general, the effects of what media frame as news on public behaviours to politics have been discussed extensively in scholarly works. However, the extent that newspapers framing stimulate conflict frame (behaviours) in ethnic leaders who rheostat the hearts and minds of ethnic groups, are still underexplored. Specifically, this study seeks to understand the extent that media frames about ethnic issues have become the driving force behind volatile ethnic groups in Nigeria. Therefore, series of in-depth interviews on 26 ethnic group leaders were conducted and data were analyzed thematically using NVIVO 10 software. The study found that the unswerving newspapers framing on ethnic issues, especially on interethnic relations and politics, culminated to inciting, double standard, name calling, all of which stemmed from the ownership interest, are some of the major factors that widen ethnic differences and eventually stimulated ethnic groups into conflict. Based on the lived experiences of the ethnic group leaders, newspapers are culpable in the emergence and escalation of ethnic conflict as a result of these stimulations. This study has significantly contributed to the understanding of potential influence of conflict frames (behaviors) of ethnic group leaders on ethno-political conflict

Attitude and use of herbal medicines among pregnant women in Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The use of herbal medicines among pregnant women in Nigeria has not been widely studied.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Opinion of 595 pregnant women in three geopolitical zones in Nigeria on the use of herbal medicines, safety on usage, knowledge of potential effects of herbal remedies on the fetus and potential benefits or harms that may be derived from combining herbal remedies with conventional therapies were obtained using a structured questionnaire between September 2007 and March 2008. Descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact tests were used at 95% confidence level to evaluate the data obtained. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>More than two-third of respondents [67.5%] had used herbal medicines in crude forms or as pharmaceutical prepackaged dosage forms, with 74.3% preferring self-prepared formulations. Almost 30% who were using herbal medicine at the time of the study believed that the use of herbal medicines during pregnancy is safe. Respondents' reasons for taking herbal medications were varied and included reasons such as herbs having better efficacy than conventional medicines [22.4%], herbs being natural, are safer to use during pregnancy than conventional medicines [21.1%], low efficacy of conventional medicines [19.7%], easier access to herbal medicines [11.2%], traditional and cultural belief in herbal medicines to cure many illnesses [12.5%], and comparatively low cost of herbal medicines [5.9%].</p> <p>Over half the respondents, 56.6% did not support combining herbal medicines with conventional drugs to forestall drug-herb interaction. About 33.4% respondents believed herbal medicines possess no adverse effects while 181 [30.4%] were of the opinion that adverse/side effects of some herbal medicines could be dangerous. Marital status, geopolitical zones, and educational qualification of respondents had statistically significant effects on respondents views on side effects of herbal medicines [p < 0.05)] while only geopolitical zones and educational qualifications seemed to have influence on respondents' opinion on the harmful effects of herbal medicines to the fetus [p < 0.05].</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study emphasized the wide spread use of herbal medicines by pregnant women in Nigeria highlighting an urgent need for health care practitioners and other health care givers to be aware of this practice and make efforts in obtaining information about herb use during ante-natal care. This will help forestall possible interaction between herbal and conventional medicines.</p

Evaluation of prescription pattern and patients’ opinion on healthcare practices in selected primary healthcare facilities in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria

Background: Inappropriate prescribing negatively impacts on health and economy of individual and the society.Objectives: To evaluate the prescribing patterns and patients’ opinions on healthcare practices in selected primary healthcare centres (PHC) in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out among patients and healthcare workers in selected PHCs using semi-structured questionnaires. Also, patients’ prescription records were reviewed using the WHO-prescribing indicators.Results: About one-half (210; 52.5%) were very satisfied with convenience of obtaining prescribed medicines in the PHCs, accessibility of PHC to abode (158;39.5%) and affordable medications (136;34.0%). Patients were dissatisfied with follow-up of care (191; 47.8%), courtesy of workers (184; 46.3%) and non-availability of medicines (138;34.5%). Number of drugs per encounter was 5.8±2.3 and % encounter with an antibiotic was &gt;26.8% in each facility. Hematinics accounted for (814; 35.0%), analgesics (544; 23.4%), antimicrobials (303;13.0%) and antihypertensives (5; 0.2%).Conclusion: Primary healthcare attendees were satisfied with medication costs affordability and accessibility of PHC to abode but expressed dissatisfaction with follow-up of care and courtesy of workers. Also, inappropriate prescriptions characterized by polypharmacy and overuse of antibiotics were common underscoring the need for regular training of PHC workers on rational drug use and instituting appropriate measures for improvement.Keywords: Primary healthcare, healthcare workers, prescribing pattern

Medication use in pregnancy: A cross-sectional assessment of pregnant women at antenatal clinic of Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria

Background: Medication use in pregnancy is a major public health concern requiring regular and ongoing awareness among healthcare providers and the pregnant  populace.Objectives: To evaluate opinion of pregnant women on medication use and  associated risks in pregnancy with a view to identify areas of focus to improve counseling and outcome.Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire-guided interview among 150 pregnant women in Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. Information on socio-demographic characteristics and opinion on medicine use during pregnancy was obtained. Total sampling of consented pregnant women was done. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize data. Ranked variables were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis test at p&lt;0.05.Results: Majority (96; 64.0%) were within the age of 20-30years and 88 (58.7%) had tertiary education. A substantial number (71; 49.7%) were in the third  trimester, 101 (76.8%) liked to take medicine during pregnancy. Of these, 48 (47.5%) preferred taking only the prescribed medicines, 36 (35.6%) multivitamins, 10 (9.9%) spiritual oil/water and 7 (6.9%) preferred to take herbal medicines. Paracetamol (64; 17.8%) was the only analgesic reported by participants. One hundred and thirty-three (88.7%) were aware that unprescribed medicine can cause harm to the foetus.Conclusion: A substantial proportion of pregnant women liked using medicine during pregnancy especially if it is prescribed, and majority were aware that medicine can cause harmful effects to the foetus. However, there is need for continuous and  ongoing counseling of pregnant women on rational use of medicine, emphasizing the consequences of unguided use of medicines including herbal supplements during pregnancy.Keywords: Medicine use, Pregnant women, Antenatal care, Nigeri

Social Support, Treatment Adherence and Outcome among Hypertensive and Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Ambulatory Care Settings in southwestern Nigeria

Objectives: To evaluate available and desired sources and types of social-support among hypertensive and type-2- diabetes (T2D) patients. Associations of medication adherence and clinical outcome with access to most available social-support and medicine affordability were subsequently investigated.Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire-guided interview among 250-hypertensive and 200-T2D patients, and review of medical records to retrieve disease-specific clinical parameters.Settings: University College Hospital and Ring-Road State Hospital, Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria.Participants: Adults out-patients with hypertension, T2D, and T2D comorbid with hypertension were enrolled, while in-patients were excluded.Results: Family source of support was the most available [hypertensive (225; 90.0%); T2D (174; 87.0%)], but government and non-governmental organisation support were largely desired, with financial support preferred, 233(93.2%) hypertensive and 190(95.0%) T2D, respectively. Adherent hypertensive patients with or without access to family support were (127; 56.4%) versus (18; 72.0%), p=0.135; while for T2D were (103; 59.2%) versus (21;80.8%), p=0.035. Mean systolic blood pressure of hypertensive and fasting plasma glucose of T2D with access to family and financial support were better than their counterparts without access (p&gt;0.05). Hypertensive (110; 76.4%) and T2D (87; 87.0%) participants who consistently afford medicine expenses had significantly better adherence and outcome (p&lt;0.05).Conclusions: Family source of support is the most accessible, but government and non-governmental organisation support were largely desired. Access to family support did not positively influence medication adherence, while access to financial support marginally impacted on outcome among hypertensive and T2D patients. However, unwaveringtendency for therapy affordability significantly influenced adherence and outcome, thus, the need for expanded social-support system in order to consistently ensure improved outcome.Funding: None declaredKeywords: Social support system, Type 2 diabetes, Hypertension, Treatment adherence and outcome, Out-patient

Measuring Press Freedom in a Democratic Society: A Content Analysis of Nigerian Newspapers

The present plurality of ideas in the cornucopia of communicative space throughout Nigeria does not make Nigeria a free and open society. As such, the country&rsquo;s journalism practice is characterized by intimidation by the state actors. However, anchored on development media theory, this study therefore, investigated the extent of press freedom from the relationship between Nigerian press and President Muhammadu Buhari&rsquo;s first democratic dispensation. Using quantitative content analysis, individual news story of 2016 fuel scarcity and Naira Devaluation and Dollar appreciation reported in the Nigerian newspapers was used as unit of analysis while systematic sampling was used in selecting the sample. Findings revealed however, away from the partisan relations between Nigerian press and the government, the relationship between the press and the present democratic government is critical with a very little attention to journalists&rsquo; repression. Further findings revealed that the press is noticeably free since it repeatedly covered 57.6% and 74.1% of stories considered critical to the government by giving such stories prominence on the front pages of the country&rsquo;s popular newspapers. The implication of this is that professionalism and objectivity can hypothetically be guaranteed in the coverage of issues that borders on public affairs in any liberal African democracy