Search

Despite significant global and local efforts geared towards elimination of onchocerciasis, it has been observed that there are socio-cultural factor that make the disease to persist; especially in the rural areas.This study, therefore, investigated socio-cultural factors influencing the control of onchocerciasis in rural southeast Nigeria. The mixed methods research design was adopted for this study. Questionnaire and in-depth interview were the data collection instruments. The quantitative data were processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. For the qualitative data, 23 in-depth interviews were conducted and analysed using content analysis method. The study established a negative correlation between cultural factors such as religions beliefs and participation in onchocerciasis control in rural South-East Nigeria. Thus, religious beliefs which reinforces onchocerciasis prevalence must be addressed for effective control and elimination of the disease in rural southeast Nigeria.

Behavioral patterns on seeking health are pertinent in terms of how waste is managed. However, informal approach towards waste management has led to poor environmental attitude and pernicious health consequences for many Nigerians. Despite plethora of scientific investigation on waste management, there has been paucity of information on health-seeking behavior and waste management practices among market women, hence the need for this research. The study aimed at assessing the health-seeking behavioral pattern of women traders on waste management in major urban markets in Owerri, Nigeria by identifying the extent of their commitment to sustainable waste management practices, investigating health-seeking behaviors that influence their attitude towards waste management and measuring prevalence of waste-related diseases among them. Data collection for the study involved a cross-sectional survey of 739 women trading in three Owerri major urban markets in line with the study‟s aim. Results show that motivation to manage waste for disease control was effectively predicted by type of trading item (Omnibus Test: χ2 = 13.871, df = 3, p-value = 0.003); Cochran-Armitage tests of trend show that there is no statistically linear trend between the proportions of understanding the 3Rs and the rankings for methods of seeking health; understanding the 3Rs was not determined by health-seeking method as most methods were with motivation to manage waste discordant (4 out 5 health-seeking methods had negative Goodman & Kruskal‟s G values); PCA on the prevalence of waste-related diseases had a two-component structure which followed acute and chronic dimensions; vegetable and plastics comprised the highest waste streams with plastics being most reused waste type while government is mainly responsible for waste disposal. The study recommends a knowledge transfer approach in entrenching sustainable waste management practices.

Pregnancy and childbirth complications are leading causes of death and disability among women of reproductive age, especially in developing countries, with Nigeria experiencing 576 deaths in every 100,000 births. This is particularly worrisome when most of these deaths could be prevented if pregnant women seek prenatal health care services. It is in the light of the foregoing that this research investigates the level of access and factors that influence use of prenatal health care services in Isiekenesi. Secondary and primary data were used for this study. The study adopted questionnaire, IDI, and FGD as data collection instruments. The data was analyzed at univariate and bivariate levels. The high cost of prenatal health care services was identified as a major factor that influences a woman’s decision not to use prenatal health care services. Finally, while all stakeholders should intensify awareness of the importance of using prenatal health care services, concerted effort should be channeled toward reduction of cost or outright free services at least in government-owned health centers in rural areas.

The study examined challenges of sending remittances and factors that motivate migrants to send remittances to Isiekenesi. Survey research design was adopted for the study. Using multi-stage sampling method for the quantitative data of the study, 402 questionnaires were distributed to the study participants and 395 were retrieved; 17 interviews and three focus group discussions (qualitative data) were conducted. Insecurity, the high cost of the transfer of remittances, lack of social amenities and so on were noted as challenges that undermine the flow of remittances to Isiekenesi. Factors that motivate migrants to send remittances to Isiekenesi are the desire to improve the family living standard, improved security in the home country, the need for recognition and the economic situation of the home country among others. Finally, the study has clearly shown that remittances in Isiekenesi are typically altruistic as migrants see it as a means of providing economic support to individual recipients at...

In the recent past, discussing about sex among children and youths was frowned at by traditional norms and as such sexual discussions and behavior were approached with great respect. Things are actually falling apart with the increasing number of young people that engage in premarital sex. Due to lack of experience and sex education, many young people are becoming increasingly exposed to the risk of HIV infection. In the light of the above, this study discussed premarital sex, HIV, and use of condom among youths in Nigeria. Data for this study came from 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey and other secondary data. The survey revealed that only 18.5 percent of young women that had sex in the 12 months preceding the survey used condom. Out of 3306 never-married sexually active men and women, 1728 representing 52 percent live in urban areas and 43 percent of them did not use condom during sexual intercourse in the 12 months preceding the survey. This study concludes that for there to be reduction in prevalence of HIV/AIDS among Nigerian youths, there is need for concerted effort to be made towards educating youths on the expedient of the use of condom during sexual intercourse., {"references":["Penchud C, Woog, V, Singh S, Darroch JE, Bankole A. 2002. Issues in\nMeasuring HIV Prevalence: The Case of Nigeria. African Journal of\nReproductive Health, 6 (3) : 1.","Fawole A. O., Ogunkan D.V, Adegoke G.S. 2011. Sexual Behaviour and\nPerception of Hiv/Aids in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions: University of\nIlorin, a Case Study. Global Journal of Human Social Science Volume\n11 Issue 1 Version 1.0 February 2011","National Agency for the Control of Aids, 2014. Federal Republic of\nNigeria Global Aids Response Country Progress Report Nigeria GARPR\nhttp://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/country/documents/NGA_narra\ntive_report_2014.pdf","Business day newspaper, 2014. HIV/AIDS prevalence rate: Threat to\nNigeria's economic aspiration http://businessdayonline.com/2014/07/\nhivaids-prevalence-rate-threat-to-nigerias-economicaspiration/#.\nVZZow_nF91Z","Eze ifeoma, 2014. Adolescents' Attitude towards Premarital Sex.\nMediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. Vol 5 No 10. ISSN 2039-\n2117","Eze, I.R., 1989. \"Teenage Pregnancy\". Unpublished M. Ed. Thesis.\nUniversity of Benin.","Mosher, D.L. and Cross, H.J., 1971. \"Sex Guilt and Premarital Sexual\nExperience of College Students\". Journal of Consulting and Clinical\nPsychology 33, 27 – 32.","National Population Commission (NPC) (Nigeria) and ORC Macro.\n2009. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2009. 2008. Calverton,\nMaryland.","John Abdulrahman Imaledo, Opirite Boma Peter-Kio, Eme Olukemi\nAsuquo., 2012. Pattern of risky sexual behavior and associated factors\namong undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers\nState, Nigeria. The Pan African Medical Journal. 2012;12:97\n[10] Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria. 2008. National HIV/Syphilis\nSeroprevalence Sentinel Survey, Process, and Findings National\nAIDS/STDs Control Programme (NASCP).\n[11] Oladimeji Oladepo and Mojisola M Fayemi, 2011. Perceptions about\nsexual abstinence and knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention among inschool\nadolescents in a western Nigerian city. BMC Public\nHealth 2011, 11:304. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/304\n[12] HIV/AIDS Emergency Action Plan, 2001. Nigeria: FMOH\n[13] Population Services International. 2003. 'Nigerian radio campaign\ngenerates safer behaviour' http://www.psi.org/resources/researchmetrics/\npublications/briefs/nigerian-radio-campaign-generates-saferbehavior\n[14] UN Integrated Regional Information Networks/AllAfrica, 2006.\n'Condom ads stir passionate debate'. http://www.irinnews.org/fr/Report/\n39454/NIGERIA-Condom-ads-stir-passionate-debate\n[15] Dare O.O., Oladepo O, Cleland JG, Badru OB., 2001. Reproductive\nhealth needs of young persons in markets and motor parks in South West\nNigeria. Afr J Sci.; 30:199–205.\nhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14510129 [16] Ajuwon A.J, Fawole F, Osungbade K., 2001. Knowledge of AIDS and\nsexual practices of young female hawkers in truck and bus stations in\nIbadan, Nigeria. Int'l Quarterly of Community Health Education.\n20(2):131–141.\n[17] Makinwa-Adebusoye P., 1992. Sexual behavior, reproductive\nknowledge and contraceptive use among young urban\nNigerians. International Family Planning Perspectives. 18(2):66–70\n[18] Jinadu M.K., Odesanmi WO., 1993. Adolescent sexual behavior and\ncondom Use in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Clinical Nursing Research. (2):111–118.\nhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8453385\n[19] Araoye M.O., Adegoke A., 1996. AIDS-related knowledge, attitude and\nbehavior among selected adolescents in Nigeria. Journal of\nAdolescence.19(2):179–181.\n[20] Egger M, Ferrie J, Gorter A, Gonzales S, Gutierrez R, Pauw J, Smith\nGD., 1993. HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and practices among\nManaguan secondary school students. Bulletin of the Pan American\nHealth Organization. 27(4): 360–369.\nhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8312959\n[21] Morris L., 1995. Sexual experience and contraceptive use among young\nadults in Central America; Presented at the symposium on population in\nCentral America; San Jose, Cost Rica. p. 25\n[22] Adebiyi A.O., Asuzu M.C., 2009. Condom use amongst out of school\nyouths in a local government area in Nigeria. Afr Health Sci. 2009 Jun;\n9(2): 92–97\n[23] National Population Commission (NPC) (Nigeria) and ICF International.\n2014. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2013. Abuja, Nigeria,\nand Rockville, Maryland, USA: NPC and ICF International."]}

Health is essential for social and economic development of any country. Nearly 10 million children in developing countries die each year before reaching the age of five from ailments, mostly pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malaria.The socio-cultural belief about the causation of disease and its curability has direct correlation with the treatment seeking behaviour of an individual.It is in the light of the foregoing that this research was necessitated to investigate various health seeking behavours exhibited by undergraduates in the Faculty of Health Science and Technology. Health Belief Model was used to examine ways people react to health issues. A descriptive survey research design was employed while questionnaire was data collection tool for the study. The study revealed that common illnesses among students are headache and fever. Students generally go to buy drugs from the patent medicine stores when sick. Students will not go to the hospital until they experience pains that they cannot accommodate again. Factors affecting the choice of health care adopted when ill is mostly related to its accessibility, effectiveness and none delay. Finally, while government should be able to provide access to many health care facilities, health promotion and preventive strategies should be reinforced in universities.