Background: Chad, Central African Republic (CAR), Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria are among the seven African countries with the highest rates of maternal mortality globally due in the main limited facility deliveries and basic emergency obstetric care.Data Source and Methods: The study sought to contextualize supply-side barriers that encroach on maternal mortality by examining some health system concerns confronting selected African countries. The study makes use of data from the World Bank and adopts a descriptive-analytic approach. Current Health Expenditure of less than 10% in four countries and Domestic General Government Health Expenditure of less than 2% in all five countries evinced underfunding of health.Results: In all five countries, the proportion of skilled health workers fell well short of the WHO requirements for density of doctors and nurses.Conclusion: The onus on individuals to pay for health care was formidable in Nigeria. CAR had the lowest proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel. CAR and Sierra Leone relied heavily on External resources for funding health.
Background: Opinions on gender abuse have been largely skewed towards females. However, the rising number of cases of abuses against the male gender has brought the need to seek better understanding on the different background contexts and conditions surrounding the abuses against men in Nigeria. Data Source and Methods: This article was based on a cross-sectional study on abuse against men through quantitative and qualitative methods. It examined perspectives on causes, consequences and coping mechanisms relative to abuse against men in urban Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Results: Findings suggest that various forces at individual, familial, cultural, urbanization, westernization and globalization levels drive abuse against men and men cope with the abuse through avoidance, divorce, resignation, adjustment and religion. Conclusion: Findings suggest that various forces at individual, familial, cultural, urbanization, westernization and globalization levels drive abuse against men and men cope with the abuse through avoidance, divorce, resignation, adjustment and religion.
Background: An enabling environment is an important element for economic development. African countries rank low on indices of development. The low level of development is rhetorically partly attributed to demographic factors, but quantitative assessment of the relationship is hardly produced to back up the rhetoric.Data Source and Methods: Data sourced from the United Nations, UNAIDS, the World Bank, Health and Nutrition and Population Statistics of the World Bank were utilized in the study. The analysis consisted of bi-variate and multivariate regression.Results: The results suggest that the level of child dependency is significantly negatively associated with the level of development in African countries controlling for other demographic factors.Conclusion: The study found no evidence that total fertility rate and population growth have significant effect on gross national income per capita.
Background: Hospital-based, quantitative studies in Nigeria show low levels of knowledge and use of preconception care (PCC) services. This study explored the perception of and attitude towards PCC in a southwestern Nigerian community qualitatively.Data Source and Methods: Focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with 57 purposively selected adult women and men and key informant interviews (KIIs) with one female and one male community leader in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria in 2018. The FGDs and KIIs held within the community were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.Results: Participants placed PCC in the context of marriage, describing its importance for addressing effects of adverse exposures on pregnancy and ensuring positive pregnancy outcomes.Conclusion: Barriers to PCC uptake mentioned included lack of awareness and prohibitive service costs. Expressing their willingness to use and promote PCC use, they stated the need to ensure PCC uptake through improved awareness at the community level.
Background: In view of the growing concern about cervical cancer prevalence and mortality rates, this study assessed the impact of interventional documentary on knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors among women in North-central Nigeria. Data Source and Methods: The study adopted a quasi-experimental design and survey to study 522 reproductive-age women. The stratified sampling technique was used to select six local government areas. Descriptive statistics, chi-square and binary logistic regression were used in data analysis. Results: There was no significant difference in pre-interventional knowledge of risk factors in the study and control groups p>0.05. There was significant difference in pre- and post-interventional knowledge in the study group p<0.05. ‘Number of children’ ‘marital status’, and ‘number of times married’ predicted aggregate knowledge at post-intervention. Conclusion: The intervention documentary was effective in knowledge increases, but there was no indication that knowledge increases lead to less risky behaviour. Documentaries should harp on self-efficacy and collective monitoring of adherence to non-risky behaviour.
Background: Over the past two decades, pastoralist-farmer conflicts have become a pressing security challenge in Nigeria, especially in the North Central region. This study analyzed how pastoralist-farmer conflicts fuel population displacements in the North Central, Nigeria. It also assessed the livelihood of the internally displaced persons in the region. Data Source and Methods: The study employed primary data comprising key informant interview of 37 stakeholders and field observations. It also utilized secondary data on pastoralist-farmer conflicts and population displacement largely sourced from Centre for Democracy and Development. We used simple percentage, frequency tables and content analysis of the qualitative data. Results: The failure of the Nigerian state to manage pastoralist – farmer conflicts escalated the attacks and the forceful displacement it engendered. The displacements have worsened the humanitarian crisis as it has increased the number of people in immediate need of food, security, health, school, livelihood, shelter, protection, non food items, water, sanitation and hygiene. Conclusion: The study concluded that building inclusive societies is relevant for de-escalating pastoralist-farmer conflicts, reducing population displacements, mitigating humanitarian crisis and achieving sustainable development goals in Nigeria and beyond.
Background: The problems created by forced evictions in Lagos State, Nigeria and other parts of the globe, are on the increase and have attracted the attention of United Nations development, environment and human rights agencies in recent years. Data Source and Methods: A cross-sectional field survey was adopted in this study. 1000 copies of questionnaire were administered, and 963 copies were properly filled, collated and analysed using Statgraphics statistical software and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 23).Results: The survey results show that rather than resolving the problem, the Lagos State government’s approach to development by eviction only worsens the social divides in the state.Conclusion: We argue that the Lagos State government needs to embrace a rights-based approach to development by ensuring the rights to occupancy of Makoko residents before renovating the settlement
Background: Worldviews define reality and stipulate the specific attitudes towards each component of reality.This study assessed how traditional religious worldview in southeast Nigeria has persisted as a driver of healthcare practices in the region. The study was carried out in southeast Nigeria, particularly, Enugu and Anambra States. Data Source and Methods: Data for the study were collected using a six-item questionnaire administered to 400 respondents, and analyzed using simple percentages. Results: Most of the respondents see ailments as curses from gods/deities, or malicious machinations from evil forces. The predominant initial healthcare practice for ailments such as leg ulcer is to go to a dibia (61%) or to a faith healing home (29%). Conclusion: For health-interventions to succeed in southeast Nigeria, there is need for pre-intervention campaigns. There is also urgent need to proscribe faith healing homes in the region.
Une vaste littérature s’est attardée sur la fécondité des migrants internationaux en les comparant aux non-migrants au lieu de destination. Peu de travaux ont considéré les populations d’origine comme référence et encore moins l’ont fait pour des migrants internes. Une telle approche est pourtant pertinente dans un contexte africain où les clivages démographiques entre régions rurales et urbaines sont encore importants et où les migrations sont souvent circulaires. En nous attardant sur la zone rurale de Niakhar, nous utilisons les données d’une enquête sur les réseaux sociaux, pratiques et croyances individuelles afin d’observer si les normes et préférences de fécondité des migrants temporaires à Dakar diffèrent de celles de la population d’origine. Les résultats indiquent des différences légères pour la connaissance et l’acceptabilité de la planification familiale. Toutefois, les migrants ont un nombre idéal d’enfants plus faible en moyenne que les non-migrants. Nos modèles multivariés suggèrent que ces différences s’expliquent principalement par les hypothèses de sélection et d’adaptation. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A large literature has focused on the fertility of international migrants by comparing them to non-migrants at the destination. Few studies have considered the original populations as a reference and even less so for internal migrants. However, such an approach is relevant, especially in African contexts where demographic differences between rural and urban areas remain important and where migration is often circular. Focusing on the rural area of Niakhar, we use data from a survey on social networks, individual practices and beliefs to assess whether the fertility norms and preferences of temporary migrants to Dakar differ from those of the population at origin. The results indicate slight differences in the knowledge and acceptability of family planning. However, migrants have an ideal average number of children lower than non-migrants. Our multivariate models suggest that these differences are mainly explained by the selection and adaptation hypotheses.
Background: Evidence from parts of sub-Saharan Africa shows variations in contraceptive counselling by type of sector (public or private) and socio-economic background of clients. There is, however, limited understanding of the nature of interactions between family planning service providers and their clients that could ultimately influence the quality of counselling received by different sub-groups of clients. This paper explores the challenges and opportunities for effective contraceptive counselling in a low-resource setting in Kenya.Data Source and Methods: Data are from a qualitative study that was conducted in 2018 among 42 women of reproductive age who participated in a longitudinal research project in Homa Bay County. The data were analysed using an exploratory inductive content analysis approach.Results: The findings showed that challenges to effective contraceptive counselling were both provider- and client-related. Provider-related challenges included workload, lack of competence in contraceptive counselling in general and on side effects in particular, and negative attitudes towards specific methods. Client-related challenges entailed presenting with fixed minds, lack of awareness of what to expect during interactions with providers, passive involvement in consultation process, and familiarity with service providers.Conclusion: Some of the challenges could be addressed by information, education and communications interventions to empower clients to demand quality services as well as skills updates for providers to improve their capacity to respond to clients’ needs.
Background: Studies have examined the individual-level and household predictors of women’s labour force participation in Nigeria, this study went further to examine the community-level determinants of non-participation in labour force among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. Data Source and Methods: This study analysed the 2016-2017 Nigeria Multiple indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data of women (aged 15-49; n= 32,742). Descriptive and multivariable analyses (using multilevel binary logistic regression) were performed. Results: Results showed that 73% of the women didn’t participate in the labour force. Community poverty (medium: OR = 0.95 and high: OR = 1.38), number of children living with a woman (medium: OR = 1.05 and high: OR = 1.19), proportion of contraceptive non-users (high: OR = 2.49 and medium: OR = 1.59) and region (north: OR = 5.42) were significant (P<0.05) determinants. Conclusion: Hence, women (of reproductive age) in the north, in communities with high: poverty, family size and contraceptive non-use should be economically empowered.
Background : Uganda’s neonatal mortality has stagnated at 27 deaths per 1,000 live births over the past decade. Studying consistent factors could inform policy to reduce it. Data Source and Methods : We used Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys (2001 to 2016) in analyses. Results : Children who were not put on breast milk immediately after birth and children of mothers with multiple maternal risk factors were associated with higher odds (3.1 and 2.0 respectively) of neonatal deaths in 2016. The maternal risk factors include: young mothers, too old, short birth intervals or many children. Neonatal deaths was also higher among male compared to female newborns. Conclusion: There is a need to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding newborns immediately after birth. Interventions to reduce maternal risk factors are critical to reducing neonatal mortality in Uganda. Programmes need measures that can reduce more neonatal deaths among male than female.
Background: Nigeria is considered the most populous country in Africa with an estimated population of 181 million and a median age of 17.9. Nigeria’s young population indicates that fertility rate may keep increasing with the total population increasing exponentially. However, life expectancy in Nigeria is very low accompanied by high mortality rate. Data Source and methods: This study aimed at analysing Nigeria’s demographic data and presenting how Nigeria’s overpopulation is contributing to its low life expectancy. Secondary quantitative data from United Nations Population Division was analysed for the study. Results: Findings showed increasing population growth from 108,011,465 recorded in 1995 to 200,963,599 recorded in 2020, high fertility, high mortality rate and low life expectancy at 53 years. Conclusion: The study made recommendations on policies to regulate Nigeria’s population growth and increase life expectancy of the country.
Background: Regardless of national and international strategies towards promoting exclusive breastfeeding, only 17% and 35% of infants were exclusively breastfed in 2015 in Nigeria and Worldwide respectively. Therefore, we aim to estimate average length of exclusive breastfeeding for infants and under-2, evaluate and predict maternal impact. Data Source and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study applied NARHS data collected via multistage-cluster random sampling. Count and proportion quantified maternal characteristics, Kaplan-Meier method estimated length of exclusive breastfeeding whereas Cox Proportional Hazard model and Wald-test determine and evaluate maternal effect. Results: Median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 6.0 months. Locality {P < 0.05 (0.73 – 0.98)} and place-of-delivery {P < 0.01 (1.06 – 1.19)} were the determinant factors. Cox Proportional Hazard model fit the data and Wald-test identified main predictors. Conclusions: Average time at which exclusive breastfeeding was discontinued was six months, mothers’ locality and delivery-place of infants influence exclusive breastfeeding duration in Nigeria. Hence, exclusive breastfeeding interventions should target those factors.
Background: Patient-doctor communication is a critical success factor in ensuring accurate diagnosis and treatment. A patient’s satisfaction with such interaction can have positive impact on health outcomes. This study evaluated patient-doctor communication in two tertiary hospitals in two states in southeast Nigeria. Data Source \u0026 Methods: Data were collected with a structured questionnaire from 300 patients in two teaching hospitals. Data were analysed using simple percentages, chi-square test of independence, binary logistic regression and factor analysis. Results: Results indicated low level of satisfaction of patients with the quality of communication with their doctors, the main contributor to their dissatisfaction being ‘doctors’ authoritarian communication style’. Factors that positively predicted patients’ satisfaction were ‘doctors’ communication skills’ (p=.000), ‘patients’ religious, cultural and language anxiety influence on communication’ (p=.000), and ‘democratic communication’ (p=.009). Doctors adopted the paternalistic approach in interacting with patients. Conclusion: Patients reported low level of satisfaction with their doctors’ communicative behaviour. This would necessitate a shift from the paternalistic to the patient-centred communication approach in the two hospitals.
Background: The issue of early onset of fertile life among adolescent girls remains very current. However, theoretical predictions predict event decline, particularly with the young generations. This study aims to analyse trends and explanatory factors of early onset of fertile life among adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years in Benin. Data and methods: The study uses Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). The Kaplan Meier method and the Cox proportional risk model were used . Findings: Early onset of fertile life has experienced saw tooth variations between 1996 and 2017. The main risk factors are: education level, age at first sexual intercourse, and socio-economic standard of living. Conclusion: Interventions need to be strengthened and/or reoriented to effectively contribute to reducing the incidence of early onset of fertile life. This will enhance adolescent girls knowledge and skills enabling them to live a healthy, responsible and timely sexual and reproductive life.
Background: A second chance education intervention was initiated for market women in rural Nigeria, who previously missed opportunity for formal education in their younger ages, with the aim of acquiring and improving basic numeracy skills for inclusion of the women. Data source and methods: Thirty (30) questionnaires on hands-on activity were administered on 30 women purposively selected from the membership list of the association of market women, while 15 other women were similarly sampled to form the control group, giving a total of 45 questionnaires. In-depth interviews, and two focus group discussions (FGDs) comprising 12 volunteer women each were also conducted. The qualitative data were content analysed while mean, standard deviation, Chi-square and Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyse the quantitative data. Results: Participants have similar socio-demographic characteristics. Over 70% of the respondents were aged less than 40 years while over 50% of the respondents attained primary education. Similarly, 64.4% of the rural women had no opportunity for formal education as adults. Results showed that there were significant effects of hands-on activities on mean ability of rural women in giving balance and stock taking. Conclusions: The second chance education initiative provided an avenue for peer learning and more inclusive and equitable numerical skill development of market women, thus enhancing the prospect of contributing to AU Agenda 2063 and the 4th goal of the post-2015 development agenda.
In censuses and demographic surveys, religion is recorded as a variable of state, assuming that individuals’ religious affiliation is unique and definitive. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, pluralism are commonplace. In this paper, w e discuss the relevance and feasibility of a statistical approach to religious practices, taking into consideration their complexity and variability over an individual’s lifetime. We use longitudinal data collected since 25 years in the south-east of Mali, among a population where traditional and Christian religions coexist. We can compare the results of a classic cross-sectional approach with those obtained via a longitudinal approach that takes into consideration individuals’ religious trajectories. Plurality and variability in religious practices are confirmed. Most individuals, at some point in their lives, become affiliated with different religions. Mobility and reversibility in religious affiliation are common. The relevance of cross-sectional data on religious affiliation for demographic analysis is questionable.
Background: The purpose of this study is to measure the impact of socioeconomic background and human capital on young people’s labor market integration. A review of the literature suggests that in addition to human capital, other factors not directly related to individual productivity play an important role in labor market integration. Data Source & Method : The empirical work is based on the analysis of a firsthand biographical database from Bafia, a Cameroonian city. Results: Results show that young people from privileged background are more likely to swiftly enter the wage sector than their peers from disadvantaged background. Conclusion: This result is not only due to the fact that former received more education than the latter but also because of the existence of a sort of privileged birth-related premium not induced by the formal education level.
Background: The VSLA is an emerging movement of savings that promotes entrepreneurship development in rural communities; it has supported the growth of small and medium enterprise in rural communities as well as helped families at risk to enhance family well-being. There are however scare empirical studies on VSLAs in Nigeria, hence impact and learning is often not in the public domain.Method: In this article, we endeavored to clarify concept and present result from a qualitative study using Focus Group Discussion (FGD) for 48 families who participated in the SOS Children's Villages Nigeria Family strengthening from 2010-2015.Result: Overall result suggest that VSLA is a programme intervention that is successful and sustainable. Results revealed that 70% of the families in the programme attained self-reliance within the project life spanConclusion: The results are discussed in relation to entrepreneurship development and need for social workers to create awareness on VSLA in rural communities in Nigeria
