Using nationally representative data, it is shown that marital unions are relatively stable in Nigeria. Remarriage rates are high so little time is lost between unions. Consequently, the fertility of women who have experienced marital disruption is only slightly lower than for those in stable unions. Their slightly lower parity may be a function of a high incidence of reproductive impairment, which is a major reason for divorce and separation in Nigeria.
Hemorrhoids (or piles) are an anorectal condition that affects many individuals who do not necessarily seek medical support. Many who suffer from this condition resort to home treatment, especially cultural diagnosis and treatment. Consequently, an herbal remedy, popularly known as <em>jedijedi </em>drinks, has gained high patronage but with contested effectiveness. Thus, this study explored the diagnosis and use of hemorrhoid herbal remedy. Using a mixed-methods research design, information was elicited from those who used or sold the remedy at the three points of sales: 107 consumer respondents were surveyed and three herbal vendors were interviewed in Ibadan, Oyo Town, and Ogbomoso in Oyo State, Nigeria. The selection of the three herbal vendors was based on their popularity and patronage. Data interpretation included the use of chi-square and qualitative content analysis. Results revealed a high prevalence (71%) of hemorrhoids among respondents who used <em>jedijedi</em> drinks for curative purposes; 90.7% of respondents claimed to know the risk factors for developing hemorrhoids. Specifically, respondents mentioned sugary and starchy substances (77.8%), sitting for long periods of time (6.1%), and stress (8.1%) as perceived causes of hemorrhoids, and 9.2% asserted that the cause was preternatural. Respondents reported irregular menstrual cycle, an inability to sit or stand for long and erectile dysfunction as symptoms of hemorrhoids. The experience of erectile dysfunction was significantly related (c<sup>2 </sup>= 6.906) to respondents' marital status. Herbal vendors reported that the common diagnosis method was vendor–customer oral dialogue that determined the type of herbal remedy prescribed. Findings support the recommendation for public sensitization through mass media to reduce misconceptions about hemorrhoids that affect its management.
SummaryMost studies examining the association between female education and fertility have reported an inverse association. However, little is known about the consistency of the relationship, or what level of education triggers an inverse association. This study examined the consistency of the association between female education and fertility across the north–south demographic divide in Nigeria. Data on women aged 40–49 were taken from the 2003, 2008 and 2013 Nigerian DHS data sets. The results showed that female education remained significantly and consistently inversely related to fertility in both the north and south of Nigeria. Women with secondary or higher level of education reported a lower number of children ever born (CEB) than those with primary or no education in both the north and south (p<0.05). The findings suggest that female education has a more effective negative effect on fertility in the south, where the level of female schooling is higher, than in the north, with its limited level of female education. Primary-level female education appeared to be ineffective in reducing fertility in the study sample. Women with primary schooling reported a slightly higher CEB than those who did not have any formal education. Also, age at marriage and child mortality were found to be consistent and significant predictors of fertility in both the north and south (p<0.001). Women who married at relatively higher ages and those who had never lost a child reported a smaller CEB consistently in both the north and south (p<0.001). Therefore, to attain sustainable fertility decline throughout Nigeria, it is imperative that policies aimed at increasing the prevalence and quality of female education are pursued, and there must be a focus on social, physical, environmental and cultural factors influencing age at marriage and child mortality.
Hemorrhoids or piles, culturally known as <em>Jedijedi</em> among the people of southwestern Nigeria, are an anorectal disease surrounded by misconceptions. The consequences of these misconceptions are enormous. Therefore, the main objective of the present study is to understand the sociocultural explanation of piles among selected personnel of the Nigeria Police Force. We recruited 302 police officers for the exploratory survey through a multistage sampling technique. Five key informants were interviewed at the study area based upon their professions and proximity. Data interpretation was done through chi-square and content analysis. Results indicated a high prevalence (73%) of and misconceptions about hemorrhoids among the respondents. The majority (80%) of the respondents had a poor awareness of the risk factors, making a scientifically unfounded claim that sugar intake was responsible for piles. Their belief negatively influenced the treatments adopted. Furthermore, their choice of therapy was influenced by its affordability (<em>p </em>< .05) and the fear of hemorrhoidectomy (<em>p </em>< .05). The study established various misconceptions about hemorrhoids among herbal vendors and police officers, which influenced treatment choices. The study suggested that one potent tool for combating ignorance about the disease is sensitization, which will equip officers to adopt healthier behaviors and aid herbal vendors to give better treatment to their clients. In addition, experimental platforms should be set for herbal vendors and orthodox medical practitioners to form a synergy in combating the diseases.
In spite of huge global investments in the production and distribution of mosquito nets to protect people from malaria; it has continued to militate against the reduction of mortality in Nigeria. The study, therefore, examined the nexus between utilization of mosquito nets and malaria related under-five health outcome. Two local government areas were randomly selected from each of the three senatorial districts, and stratified along urban and rural communities. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 609 mothers within childbearing age and who had under-five children across the communities. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and logistic regression at p<0.05, and thematic content analysis were used for data analyses. The respondents' age was 32.6±5.8 years, 84.6% were married/living together, 55.0% had secondary education, while 42.7% were in paid/civil service jobs. Under-five mortality was 19.3% higher amongst rural than urban dwellers. Ownership of mosquito nets (treated or untreated) varied by place of residence with 60.1% and 39.9% for urban and rural areas respectively. About 62% of the dead under-five children never slept under mosquito nets. The likelihood of under-five mortality significantly increased by nonownership of mosquito nets (Odds-Ratio (OR): 2.476) and reduced by number of mosquito nets (OR: 0.278). Wrong methods adopted by mothers in using mosquito nets, was deduced as a contributory factor causing underfive mortality for home with fewer nets. Information on the proper use of the mosquito nets would help achieve the goal of universal access for the atrisk populations of children under age five and pregnant women.
The paper examines the correlates of husband-wife communication on fertility and family planning among the Yoruba-speaking people of south-western Nigeria. The study was undertaken in Ogbomoso and Iseyin towns in Oyo State, and both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The results reveal that husband-wife discussion about reproductive issues is fairly high in the study areas, with 59.2 percent and 66.4 percent of couples reporting spousal communication on family size and family planning respectively. The logistic regression models indicate that differences in spousal communication on desired family size and contraceptive use are associated with personal attributes such as demographic and social backgrounds of individuals and couples, including spousal age gap, joint educational attainment, religious affiliation of partners, type of marriage, frequency of couples' exposure to radio and television as well as association membership. The major obstacles to spousal communication on fertility-related issues are cultural opposition and ignorance about modern norms and values.
SummaryThis study indicates that urban marital patterns in nine Nigerian cities influence fertility. Fertility is also influenced by age at marriage, region of residence, ethnicity and religion; education and employment lead to marriage delay and tend to conflict with childbearing by enhancing the status of women.
