Gusau Journal of Sociology
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SOCIO - ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL IMPEDIMENTS IN THE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND CONTAINMENT OF COVID-19 AMONGST WOMEN IN NIGERIA
Get PDFThe discovery of COVID-19 infections in Wuhan District of China and spread to other parts of the world literally took humanity by storm. In Nigeria, the first case of the virus was officially reported by the Federal Ministry of Health on the 27th of February 2020. Attempts at diagnosis, treatment and containment of patients especially women has often been met with obstacles in many parts of the country due to existing socio-economic and cultural impediments placed on women. This paper identified and discussed some of these impediments with a view to recommending strategies for effective containment of the disease. Qualitative data obtained from literature sources were reviewed and analyzed thematically. The social cultural theory of disease was used as a theoretical framework of analyses. The paper found several impediments against effective diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 among female patients in many parts of the country. It therefore recommends among other things, the enlightenment of the people on the need to jettison cultural differences and work towards effective control of the disease
EFFECTS OF COVID-19 AND INSECURITY ON WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN IKWUANO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
Get PDFIn Nigeria, the philosophy of women participation in community development is increasingly gaining traction as an important instrument for mobilizing resources and organizing women to pick adequate interest in providing social and economic dividends to their community at large. This study therefore examines the effect of COVID-19 on Women August Congregation’s (WAC) participation in community development in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. Descriptive research survey was adopted. A sample of 384 eligible households participated in the study. The questionnaire and in-depth interview methods were employed to collect data from the respondents. Quantitative data was presented in tables, frequencies, and percentages, while qualitative data were analyzed via the manual content method. The study adopted the structural functionalist theory as theoretical framework for its analysis. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Hypotheses were tested using the Pearson Moment Correlation tool at 0.05 significant level. The study revealed that Covid-19 pandemic and its protocols cum insecurity prevented women in Ikwuano from holding their annual gathering, which adversely affected their participation and contribution to community development. It is therefore very important that women should look beyond physical gathering, which may break Covid-19 protocol and utilize technologies such as virtual-communication and telephone conversations in place of physical congregation for effective participation in community development
FACTORS INFLUENCING UTILIZATION OF ROUTINE MEDICAL CHECK-UP SERVICES AMONG STAFF AND STUDENTS AT THE AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY (ABU), ZARIA MEDICAL CENTER
Get PDFRoutine medical check-ups (RMDs) are widely recognized as effective strategies for reducing morbidity and mortality from various diseases and offering a cost-effective approach to improving population health. However, despite their importance and accessibility in higher educational institutions, concerns have arisen over the underutilization among staff and students. This paper investigates the factors influencing the utilization of routine medical check-ups at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria Medical Center. Employing the Desire Belief Opportunity (DBO) theory as an explanatory framework, the paper utilized a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative- through KIIS and IDIs, in addition to quantitative data collection, with 289 respondents drawn from five faculties at the A.B.U. main campus through simple random sampling. The study revealed that while a significant proportion of respondents were aware of ABU's medical centre offering routine check-ups; they primarily sought such services only when feeling unwell. Factors such as long waiting times fear of detecting abnormal diseases, and concerns about stigma hindered routine medical check-ups. The study recommends sensitizing staff and students about the importance of routine medical check-ups for early disease detection and knowledge of one's health status
EXPLORING MATERNAL HEALTHCARE-SEEKING PATTERNS THROUGH A RADICAL FEMINIST LENS: A MIXED-METHODS REVIEW
Get PDFIn the context of maternal health care, this article did a critical investigation into the nuanced and multifaceted relationships between gender dynamics, power structures, and societal norms. It delved into the intricate determinants influencing maternal health-seeking behaviour, employing a radical feminist perspective. Using mixed-methods review involving a synthesis of diverse viewpoints, the study investigated the impact of socio-cultural norms, economic constraints, and systemic complexities on women's decisions related to seeking maternal health care. Patriarchal structures, mandating male authorization for healthcare were spotlighted, while education emerged as a catalyst for women's empowerment. Economic barriers and cultural beliefs presented obstacles to accessing care, as healthcare providers' attitudes and skilled workforce availability further shape women's choices. In conclusion, this mixed-methods review presents a succinct exploration of determinants impacting women's maternal health-seeking behaviour, proposing actionable insights to enhance equitable healthcare access and catalyze transformative societal change. Drawing from this comprehensive analysis, the study puts forth actionable recommendations. Urging gender-sensitive policies, targeted health education campaigns, and augmented investment in health care, the study advocates for empowering women and cultivating proactive maternal health-seeking behaviour. Community engagement is proposed as a potent strategy to surmount socio-cultural impediments. Acknowledging inherent limitations, this paper leverages existing research to construct a holistic narrative
ACCESSIBILITY AND UTILIZATION OF MODERN MEDICINE IN AJIOLO COMMUNITY IN KOGI EAST, KOGI STATE
Get PDFMaternal deaths due to poor health during pregnancy and childbirth constitute one of the challenges women face during child birth. In rural communities in Nigeria, the dangers are particularly more severe. Many factors such as lack of good healthcare, clear useful information about women’s health complicate the problem. These combine to create poor health for women in developing countries and mostly rural areas. This study was conducted to explore access and utilization and their consequences on maternal mortality in a rural community in Nigeria using Ajiolo community in Kogi State, as a point of focus. Data were obtained from a cross section of mothers aged 15-49 years in Ajiolo. A cluster random sampling procedure was adopted to select 292 respondents for the study. The total number of questionnaire respondents was 280, while qualitative data were obtained from 12 respondents through in-depth interview. The data collected from the questionnaire were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS V.20). The result showed that factors such as education, occupation, birth control knowledge, choice of health facility, utilization of modern facility and poverty had serious implications for maternal health. The study has both theoretical and practical significance. This study revealed that the factors affecting maternal mortality may form the basis of a policy response to the problems. The study recommends the promotion and creation of awareness about the rights of women, especially in rural communities, to shore up support for women to take certain decisions about their health and healthcare
EXPLORING UNMARRIED FEMALE ADOLESCENTS’ CONCERNS ABOUT ACCESSING AND USING MODERN CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS IN BENUE STATE
Get PDFIt is an undeniable fact that in most developing countries, unmarried female adolescents face many challenges obtaining the basic sexual and reproductive health services they need. One of the issues that have profound impact on adolescents’ and young people’s sexual and reproductive health is contraception. This article explores the issue of unmarried female adolescents’ concerns about barriers to accessing and using modern contraceptive methods in Benue State, Nigeria. With the need to understand the issue at a deeper level, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) approach was used to elicit data. Eight (8) FGD sessions were conducted with sixty-six (66) female adolescents. The paper identifies three basic concerns of participants relating to sexual and reproductive services especially contraception: slut shaming, attitudes of health care providers (lack of trust) and side effects. This study sheds light on how these concerns are related to participants’ sexual health and agency. Finding indicates that engaging in other sexual activities while abstaining from penetrative sex is one of the ways some female adolescents in the study area navigate the sexual terrain. Finally, the study recommends that adolescents should be given adequate access to information and services pertaining to sexuality and contraceptive use in order to enhance their sexual health and reduce risk
APPRAISAL OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPULSORY TREATMENT AND CARE FOR VICTIMS OF GUNSHOT ACT 2017 IN NIGERIA
Get PDFThere has been a disturbing spike in gunshot wounds world-wide. America, for instance, has an estimated 90 million firearms in civilian hands. A total of 48,830 people died from gun-related injuries in the U.S. in 2021, an increase of 32% since 2019.The prevalence of gunshot injuries has attracted concerns from governments, victims and family members, hospital administrators, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), medical practitioners, the mass media and the academia. Such concerns are germane because gunshot injuries (GSI) constitute a major health challenge worldwide, with direct burdens on health service and the economy. One worrisome dimension however, is that many people have died from gunshot injuries on account of hospitals’ insistence on mandatory police report. In order to halt this, the Nigerian government enacted the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot (CTCVG) Act of 2017. This study appraised the implementation of the CTCVG Act. The paper utilized the documentary method to gather data and adopted the rational choice theory to provide theoretical direction for the work. A major revelation is that the CTCVG Act lacks legal validity because it is not listed in the 68 items covered under the exclusive and concurrent lists of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. It was revealed that more than five years after its enactment, only three States, Rivers, Lagos and Delta, have domesticated the CTCVG Act. Also revealed is that in spite of the Act, many hospitals still shun gunshot victims without police report. Another finding blamed the reluctance of medical personnel on persistent police harassments. The paper recommends a meeting of the Attorneys-General of the 36 States and the Attorney General of the Federation, to propose a bill to include the Act in either the Legislative or Concurrent lists to fast track its domestication; proper sensitization and training of police and medical professionals on the provisions of the Act to forestall abuse; prosecution of breaches of the Act to guarantee compliance by hospitals and security agents while Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), human rights activists and other stakeholders, should enlighten individuals on the provisions of the law and how to enforce their rights
FACEBOOK CRIME AWARENESS AND VICTIMIZATION AMONG CRIMINOLOGY AND SECURITY STUDIES UNDERGRADUATES IN A NIGERIAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY
Get PDFLike many other technological inventions in human history, the social media is employed by deviant and criminal elements to facilitate various kinds of illegal activities. This study therefore, examines the level of Facebook crime awareness and victimization among undergraduates. It used purposive sampling method to select 120 Criminology and Security Studies undergraduates enrolled in a public owned university in Nigeria. A 33-item questionnaire containing dichotomous, multiple choice, and open-ended questions was administered to the respondents. Descriptive statistics such as frequency (counts) percentages, and tables were used to describe the relationship between the variables. The study found that 98.3%, 96.7%, 93.3%, 89.2% and 79.2 % of the respondents were aware of harassment/treat/intimidation; hate speech propagation, posting of hostile materials/false information, password theft/Facebook account hijack and live streaming of crime/violence on Facebook respectively. It also found that 42.5% and 36.7% of the respondents believed that people preferred Facebook to physical space to perpetrate crime to avoid detection and physical confrontation respectively. Furthermore, the study found that 36.7%, 60.8%, 28.3%, 55.0% and 29.2% of the respondents had been repeatedly harassed/threatened/intimidated, received unwanted sexual advances, had false information posted about them, had pornographic comment or picture posted on their timeline, had their password stolen/hijacked through Facebook respectively. More so, 62.5% of the respondents believed that Facebook censorship can help curb the menace of crime on Facebook in Nigeria. The continuous enhancement of privacy setting by Facebook to make it difficult for criminals to carry out unauthorized activities on users account is recommended
IMPACT OF TELECONFERENCING AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING PLATFORMS ON JOB PERFORMANCE AT THE NIGERIAN AGIP OIL COMPANY (NAOC), PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA
Get PDFTraditional face-to-face approaches to job training have long been the norm in industries especially in Nigeria until the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This study challenges these conventional methods by exploring the impact of teleconferencing and collaborative learning on job performance in the context of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Drawing from two discussions on the use of teleconferencing and collaborative learning as employee training platforms, this research investigates their effectiveness in enhancing training reach and improving employee job performance. The population of the study is 1,714. However, Taro Yamane formulation was used to determine a sample of 282 respondents. The sample size represents 16.45 % of the study population. The sample size was selected using the stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The questionnaire method was used to gather data for the study while the chi-square tool was applied to test the hypotheses. Firstly, the findings revealed a positive correlation between the use of teleconferencing as a training platform and an increase in the number of training beneficiaries at the NAOC. This underscores the efficacy, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of teleconferencing in reaching a large number of employees simultaneously, regardless of geographical constraints. Secondly, the study found a significant relationship between collaborative learning and improved job performance among employees in the organization. Collaborative learning fosters knowledge sharing, skill development, and active engagement, leading to enhanced problem-solving abilities and teamwork. Based on these conclusions, the study recommends the need to implement and expand teleconferencing training; promote collaborative learning and conduct regular training needs assessment for staff of the NAOC