African Population Studies

Impact of interventional documentary on knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors among rural women in North-Central Nigeria

Olubunmi Funmilayo Agbana — 2021-02-15

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.

Exiles in their region: pastoralist-farmer conflict and population displacements in North Central, Nigeria

Peter O Mbah — 2021-02-15

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.

Exploring the perception of and attitude towards preconception care service provision and utilisation in a South Western Nigerian community – A qualitative study

Oludoyinmola O Ojifinni — 2021-03-22

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.

Assessment of demographic factors in Africa’s development.

Nisha Sewdass — 2021-04-30

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.

Context of abuse against men: Perspectives on causes, consequences and coping mechanisms

Oladele Opeyemi Aboderin — 2021-05-03

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.

Supply-side barriers and health system concerns in five high maternal mortality settings in Africa

Pinky Lalthapersad-Pillay — 2021-05-04

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.