Gender and Behaviour

Knowledge and practices on the storage and disposal of expired medicines among patients at a public hospital in South Africa

Boitumelo Zarina Mogajane — 2024-09-03

The incorrect storage and disposal of medicines is a public health concern, as storage of medicines under undesirable conditions reduces their shelf life while improper disposal may lead to accidental poisoning. With the proliferation of pharmaceuticals and the inherent risks associated with improper handling of expired medications, understanding patient behaviors and awareness is critical for enhancing healthcare outcomes and minimizing environmental hazards.Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge and practices of outpatients collecting medications at Mamelodi Hospital in South Africa. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 370 participants using self-administered questionnaire. Regarding storage of medicine, about a third of the participants thought it was okay to store drugs at home for later use, and 18% thought unlocked cupboards were fine for storing drugs. Most participants recognised how to store drugs properly and believed that improper storage can harm people and the environment. With regards to disposal of medicine, significant no of participants indicated that medicines can be disposed of in a similar way that other household wastes are disposed e.g. in the trash bin or municipal waste tins (42%), flushing medicines in the toilet cannot result to harm to other people (68%), and disposing of medicines in the rubbish bin cannot result in harm to other people (46%). Most participants had medicines at home, and still used them. A shocking 39.2% were not informed on how to preserve dispensary drugs. Men were almost twice likely to throw medicine into the dustbin than their female counterparts, and the older group displayed better medicine disposal practices when compared to the younger group (p<0.05). The study emphasises the need for patient-specific education and governmental actions to promote correct storage and disposal. Healthcare systems can reduce expired pharmaceutical hazards and improve patient care and environmental stewardship by addressing these knowledge gaps and encouraging appropriate medication management.

Gender mainstreaming in security sector reform: Enhancing women’s participation in peace-building in Akure-Kingdom communities of Ondo State

Samuel Olugbenga Ojo — 2024-09-03

This paper investigates gender mainstreaming in security sector reform and the enhancement of women's participation in peace building within the Akure-Kingdom communities of Ondo State, Nigeria. The paper aims to increase women's involvement in these areas not only in Akure Kingdom communities but also in Nigeria as a whole. The paper establishes four research objectives to guide it. Drawing on feminist theory and institutional theories, this paper adopts a documentary review approach, utilising books, journals, and online sources as primary sources of information. The findings highlight the inadequacy of existing domestic policies and frameworks for addressing gender-related challenges in security sector reform and peace building. Factors such as limited resources, insuficient capacity-building, and a lack of political will contribute to this lack of integration. Barriers to women's participation identified in the paper include cultural beliefs, community oppression, public discrimination, financial constraints, limited education, and gender stereotypes. However, the paper also reveals a significant relationship between women's involvement and sociocultural factors, emphasising the necessity of gender-responsive policies. Specifically, government’s non-compliance with the implementation of 35% affirmative action for women's representation in government added to the problems of gender mainstreaming in security sector reforms. Consequently, this paper proposes recommendations for improving domestic policies, frameworks, and government practices to align with affirmative action requirements and promote gender equality.

Gender-based Violence in the information and communications technology industry in Nigeria

Bahariye Abdulaziz — 2024-09-03

Gender-based Violence (GBV) is experienced in many spheres of society, including the workplace. Women experience GBV disproportionately compared to men. This study sheds light on GBV in the rapidly growing and male-dominatedinformation and communications technology (ICT) industry in Nigeria. A qualitative study using key informant interviews and focus-group discussions was conducted amongst stakeholders in Nigeria’s ICT sector. The study targeted public and private sector participants and majorly, female actors in the industry. Twenty-three key informant interviews and one focus group discussion was conducted amongst ICT stakeholders in 2021. GBV recorded in the ICT industry traverses economic, psychological, sexual, and physical violence. Women reported earning lower than their colleagues in the same job roles. Women leaders in the ICT sector also found themselves vulnerable to inappropriate jokes in group discussions. Gender norms based on religion, patriarchy, cultural and social perceptions, were identified to influence these experiences. GBV in the burgeoning male-dominated ICT industry in Nigeria can result in avoidance of the field and further widening the economic gender gap. Technology-facilitated violence and abuse was also a major risk in this category of workers. Stakeholders need to take action to address GBV in this male-dominated sector and encourage young girls and women to enter the field. This will enable more women to benefit from the economic gains that this male-dominated industry is experiencing due to the rapid growth, as negligence will only widen the gender economic gap and pose difficulties for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 in Nigeria.

Psychosocial predictors of depression among people living with hypertension: A moderating role of self-compassion

Teslim Alabi Oladejo — 2024-09-03

The study contributes to the broader understanding of the interplay between physical and mental health. This study investigated the psychosocial (Illness perception, health locus of control and medication adherence) predictors of depression and the moderating roles of self-compassion among hypertensive patients in Lokoja. The study used a cross-sectional survey design to study people living with hypertension. A sample size of 257 participants who responded to structured questionnaires that included measures of Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Health Locus of Control(HLC), Morisky 8- Item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), Nef 's Self-Compassion Scale (Short Form) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). In the study, hypothesis one was tested using multiple regression and hypothes is two was tested using macro conditional process model 1 were used to analyzed the data. The findings indicted that illness perception, health locus of control and medication adherence significantly and jointly predicted depression among hypertensive patients Lokoja (R²= 0.48, F(3,253) = 4.231 p<.05), illness perception (β = 0.14, p˂.05) and medication adherence (β = 0.15, p˂.05) showed significant independent contribution to depression among hypertensive patients. While health locus of control ( β = -.05, p>.05) had no independent prediction of depression among hypertensive patients. The findings revealed no significant moderating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between illness perception and depression among hypertensive patients (β = 0.012, P> 0.05), [95% CI: (-0.01, 0.02)]. Furthermore, the findings revealed no significant moderating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between health locus of control and depression (β = 0.007, P> 0.05), [95% CI: -0.00, 0.01)]. Lastly, the findings revealed no significant moderating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between medication adherence and depression (β=0.005, P>0.05), [95% CI: -0.04, 0.0.5)]. Overall, the findings suggest that addressing illness perceptions and medication adherence in hypertensive patients could be valuable tools for managing depression alongside hypertension itself. By implementing interventions that target these factors, healthcare professionals may be able to improve both physical and mental health outcomes for their patients. In conclusion, according to the study's findings, it is recommended that interventions ought to be customized to take variations of self-compassion into consideration because the effect of self-compassion on depression may vary depending on their levels. Future studies could explore additional moderating psychological constructs like resilience, social support, or coping strategies.

Facilitators’ gender and soft skills as correlate of adult learners’ attitude towards learning in the federal university Oye-Ekiti Sandwich programme, Ekiti state, Nigeria

Udukhomose Suleiman Omokhabi — 2024-09-03

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between facilitators’ gender and possession of soft skills, and adult learners’ attitudes toward learning in the federal university Oye-Ekiti Sandwich programme, in Ekiti State,Nigeria. Underpinning the study is the adult learning theory. The population consist of all adult learners and facilitators at the federal university of Oye-Ekiti Sandwich programme, while the sample for the study was selected using simple random sampling technique, and comprised 33 facilitators (11 males and 22 females) and 97 adult learners (31 males and 66 females). Two instruments tagged “Facilitators’ Soft Skills Questionnaire (α=0.71)”, and“Adult Learners’ Attitude towards Learning Questionnaire (α = 0.81)”, were used for data collection using mean and standard deviation, and correlation at 0.05 level of significance. Results revealed a positive attitude among adult learners toward learning, a moderate level of soft skills among sampled facilitators, a positive and significant relationship was found between facilitators’ soft skills and adult learners’ attitudes toward learning, but with no significant relationship with facilitators’ gender. The study concludes that facilitators’ soft skills, irrespective of their gender, positively impact adult learners’ attitudes toward learning. It is recommended that facilitators of adult education be more enlightened and professionally trained on the import of and exhibition of soft skills. Measures should also be put in place to foster positive learning attitudes in adult learners. Self-report questionnaires were used in collecting data for the study, as such, there might be elements of response bias from the sample. Future research could improve upon these lapses for more generalizable results

Behavioural health attitudes to media influence on indiscriminate waste disposal in Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State

Ibenyenwa Ndidi Christiana — 2024-09-03

This study sought to find out the influence of media campaign on Oye-Ekiti residents’ behavioural attitudes towards indiscriminate waste disposal. The study was necessitated by the dangers of improper disposal of waste production to human and animal survival. The study was anchored on attitude change theory examines how communication might change someone's preexisting attitude or belief and make them act in a way they wouldn't normally. Adopting a survey approach with a population of 134, 210 residents, the study sample of 398 respondents were employed using Taro Yamane sample determination. The clutter sampling technique was used to select the respondents and the questionnaire was the instrument of data collection. The findings of the study revealed evidence of improper waste disposal that litters the area. It also found that media campaign on ef ective disposal of waste had minimal effects; thus, the behavioural attitudes of the respondents have not changed significantly due to poor media campaigns on indiscriminate disposal of waste in the area. Based on the recommendations of the study, it is recommended that Ekiti State Waste Management Board (EKSWMB) should increase its penetration to the remotest parts of the State to monitor waste disposal and management. It is recommended that apart from the use of mainstream media, other media options such as social media, traditional media, opinion leaders and use of town hall meetings should be adopted to sensitize the residents of Oye-Ekiti on proper disposal of waste and the need to maintain a clean and healthy environment.

An assessment of the role of gender, self-efficacy, and resilience on marital adjustments among employees of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria

Ibukun Faith Akeredolu — 2024-09-03

This study assessed the role of gender, self-efficacy, and resilience on marital adjustments of employees at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study utilised the ex-post facto research design. The population of the study consisted of all employees at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The simple and purposive sampling techniques were used in selecting 106 employees as the study’s sample. An instrument tagged“Self-Efficacy,Resilience and Marital Adjustment Questionnaire” was used in collecting data for the study, with α=0.81, 0.84, and 0.86 respectively for the instrument’s sub-sections. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis at a 5% significance level. Findings indicate high levels of self-efficacy, resilience, and marital adjustments among the sampled employees, and that employees' gender and self-efficacy play a significant role in their marital adjustment levels; yet, employees’ resilience played no significant role (contrasting findings of prior research; Ahmad& Jahangir, 2020; Cihan & Aydogan, 2020; Khalaf &AL-Hadrawi, 2022; İlmen & Sürücü, 2022), that found a significant association between resilience and marital adjustment). The study recommends that efforts, especially professional development programmes, and capacity-building workshops, aimed at fostering employees' self-efficacy be made available to employees of the university, counselling units established in all faculties of the university, and employees (both male and female) be advised and encouraged to attend at least one or two counselling sessions every month to foster their marital adjustments cum satisfaction.

Reconnoitring the past, present, and future of higher education for sustainable development in South Africa: King Dimbanyika as our lense

Bernard Chingwanangwana — 2024-09-03

This qualitative study employs the desktop approach and thematic data analysis technique. The discourse explores what King Dimbanyika, a revered figure in Vhavenda culture and history, would say about the past, present, and future of higher education for transformation in South Africa. The study draws from the theory of decolonization by discussing the historical impact of apartheid on higher education. The transformation that has occurred since the end of apartheidis explored using lessons extrapolated from King Dimbanyika’s rule. Dimbanyika would commend these efforts and advocate for further inclusivity and representation within academia, if he were around today, given his insightful leadership. He would advocate for curriculum decolonization and the recognition of indigenous languages to promote inclusivity and cultural preservation. Looking into the future, Dimbanyika would highlight the importance of expanding access to higher education, equipping graduates with relevant skills, and promoting lifelong learning. Inessence, the study’s objectives are to reconnoitre the usable past and draw lessons from thein to inform the issues in today’s higher education arena in South Africa, and to borrow from the reign of King Dimbanyika, who managed to unite the people towards the common good of the Vhavhenda people, thereby allowing history to speak to the today and now generation.

Transgender student being in higher education: An integrative review

Yvonne Combrinck — 2024-09-03

Students are part of a diverse higher education community. Their attitudes and beliefs are embedded in interaction with lecturers, fellow-students and curricula exposure. It navigates and prepares them for their professional careers.Transgender students do not associate with society's gendered binary norms and have unique identities and associated needs. This integrative review aimed to illuminate ‘transgender being’ in higher education through thematically analysed literature. The studies were sourced on Medline, PubMed, CINAHL and EBSCO databases. Complementary searches included Google Scholar and Web of Science. The findings of 18 studies were analysed. The participants were conscious of their being-for- themselves and others. They experienced their transgender being as 1) being through ‘non-being’, 2) being conscious of self and others, 3) being vulnerable, and 4) being and ‘to be’. The review results were evidence of the need for gender-inclusive education to affirm dignity, respect and inclusivity for all students pursuing higher education.

The mechanisms of facial trauma wounds: Does screening and post counselling matter?

Thabo A. Phukubye — 2024-09-03

Background:
Facial trauma wounds encompass a spectrum of injuries resulting from various mechanisms of injuries, including accidents, interpersonal violence, and occupational injuries. These injuries not only pose immediate physical threats but also carry profound and often underestimated psychological and social implications. The primary focus in managing facial trauma traditionally centres on addressing the physical aspects of injury, the psychological sequelae are frequently disregarded. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of facial trauma wounds and the prevalence of screening and providing post-counselling support in Limpopo Province referral hospitals

Methods:
By employing a quantitative, descriptive cross sectional research design, a total of 150 people with facial trauma wounds completed and submitted structured questionnaires. To ensure the validity and reliability, the data collection instrument was pretested on respondents who were not included in the main study. The data was analyzed using descriptive analysis with the Excel applications, Stata/SE version 17, SPSS version 28, and scoring techniques.

Results:
According to the findings, the majority of facial trauma wounds were caused by assault (67.3%), followed by motorvehicle accidents (22%), and gender-based violence and falls (10.7%). Surprisingly, 76.7% of the cases were not screened for emotional and psychological problems caused by facial trauma, and even among those admitted with such injuries, 82.7% did not receive post-counselling care. These findings highlight the importance of enhanced screening techniques and thorough post-counselling interventions in addressing the complex impact of facial trauma wounds in our communities.

Conclusion:
These results reveal a worrisome deficiency in the provision of healthcare and emphasize the pressing need for enhanced screening guidelines and post-counselling support for patients with facial trauma injuries. The results showed a research gap regarding the efficacy of screening protocols and post-trauma counselling interventions specifically designed for facial trauma wounds, even though numerous studies have looked at similar interventions in the context of general trauma, few have specifically focused on facial injuries.

Exploring men’s changing roles in domestic unpaid work

Hubert Bimpeh Asiedu — 2024-09-03

The first half of the 21^st century has seen a sharp increase in interest by scholars regarding fathers’ involvement with housework and, especially, caring activities. This interest appears to be in direct response to an ideological change in the way good fatherhood is defined, such that it now includes care work. Past studies found that childcare in th efamily was assumed to be the sole responsibility of mothers. However, changes in the political economy in various countries have pushed women into paid work and this is gradually changing the meaning of fatherhood to include childcare. This is gradually making fathers assume a more nurturing role. Although this appears to be the case, this study argues that the ideas men have about domestic and caring activities influence their actual involvement in these activities. The data for the study was obtained qualitatively from 20 respondents who were husbands, fathers and career men. The data demonstrate that the majority of the men still hold onto the sexual division of work in the family. Irrespective of this, reasonable numbers of men in this study are actively involved with either caring work or both caring and domestic activities. Another finding emerging from the ideas and actions on domestic and caring activities identified three types of men in this study. Conceptualising this typology of men encourages us to appreciate the advancement being made in Ghana about getting men to take an active role in domestic work.

Awareness and utilization of emergency contraception among university students in Maseru district, Lesotho

Koleba Lefela — 2024-09-03

Emergency contraception (EC) is a vital technique used to prevent unwanted pregnancies that occur after unprotected intercourse or when regular contraception methods fail. Gaining insight into the knowledge and application of EC among university students is essential for enhancing reproductive health status of a country. This study utilised aquantitative cross-sectional methodology and stratified random sampling was used to evaluate the level of awareness and utilisation of EC among university students in Lesotho. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 394 university students. Although most students were familiar with EC, the proportion of use among these students was low. Marital status (OR= 2.98, p<0.05), sexual relationship (OR=6.91, p<0,05), study level (OR=1.01, p<0.05),religious support (OR=1.86, p=0.012), and partner support (OR=4.88, p<0.05) were found to be significantly associated with the use of EC. It is crucial to increase knowledge and accessibility of EC among university students in Lesotho in order to decrease unplanned pregnancies and strengthen reproductive healthcare services. Future research should explore the development and implementation of comprehensive sexual health education programs that specifically address emergency contraception. Evaluating the effectiveness of these programs can provide insights into best practices for increasing awareness and utilization.

Pathways to maternal filicide among women incarcerated in Gauteng province in South Africa

Melissa Castlemaine — 2024-09-03

South African research on women who commit crime gained momentum over the past decade, yet little is known about their routes to criminality. This article contributes to the understanding of maternal filicide (the phenomenon of mothers who murder their children) in the context of pathways theory by examining the lived experiences of women who killed their children. Eight women incarcerated in Gauteng, South Africa were identified using purposive sampling. Drawing on evidence from the in-depth personal interviews, the study uncovered four theoretical pathways to explain maternal filicide, namely adversities during childhood and youth; lack of support and suicide ideation; problematic and abusive intimate relationships; and strains associated with motherhood and economic deprivation. The aetiological tenets of these pathways appear interrelated and overlaying. An unwanted child and failure to provide medical care to a neglected or injured child were the most reported motives for filicide.

Asymmetric institutions and norms: Perspectives from social media on women at board levels in Nigerian private banks

O.E. Okeke-Uzodike — 2024-09-03

Women are increasingly becoming visible despite remaining underrepresented at corporate board levels. Through the lens of social media, this article seeks to assess how the power of texts in a WhatsApp platform can be construed to gender norms that purports women (in)visibility. Using qualitative and inductive approach, data was collected from a WhatsApp platform involving 250 participants. The researchers applied a sentiment analysis in interpreting the data to grasp the content and explore the power of written text. Findings of the study show how social media texts permeate through the society, with the tendency of influencing an individual behavioral intention which may over time result in norms and belief systems with the tendency of affecting women (in)visibility. The use of data from the restricted WhatsApp group limits the generalizability of the findings but support the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Social Constructivism that expose the influences of social media on behaviourial intentions. The study recommends the need for cautiousness and embracing social media as an enabling platform for illuminating positivity towards eliminating gender norms.

Gender’s impact on undergraduates' digital and internet literacies at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria

Abiodun Adesope Fadiya — 2024-09-03

Digital and internet literacies have become a vital requirement for university education. This study investigatestheimpact of gender on undergraduates' digital and internet literacies at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria. The survey research design was utilised for the study. The population of the study consisted of all undergraduates in the federal university Oye-Ekiti, while 196 undergraduates were randomly selected. Two research instruments: the Internet Literacy Scale (α=0.82), and the Undergraduates’ Digital Literacy Scale (α=0.78) were used for data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings reveal high levels of digital and internet literacies among undergraduates, and that undergraduates' gender has a negative impact on their digital and internet literacies. The study recommends that digital devices be made easily available and af ordable to university students; internet services and facilities be procured and made freely accessible to all university students, especially within the university campuses; education stakeholders should support and adequately fund the university's digital and internet programmes.The study has implied the need for addressing gender disparities in digital and internet literacies in university settings.

Workplace culture of midwives regarding pain management during the first stage of labour

Margaret M Kgodane — 2024-09-03

Background: Severe unbearable pain leads to maternal exhaustion, prolonged labour and foetal distress and need stobe managed. The management of pain during the first stage of labour is affected by workplace culture. It was observed that pain is not relieved during labour, and it was not clear when and how labour pain was assessed, and pain relief implemented. There is value in understanding workplace culture in an organization as change is often necessary.

Aim: This paper aims to understand the workplace culture of midwives regarding pain management during the first stage of labour by observing current practices.

Methods: A qualitative structured participant observation was used to observe the labour pain management practice of midwives and doctors in 18 structured sessions lasting over 19 hours in a central hospital in Gauteng province, South Africa. Structured participant observation involved midwives working permanently in the labour ward as co-observers using a creative hermeneutic data analysis.

Results: Two main themes emerged from the data collected: pain assessment and isolation. Midwives and doctors assessed labour pain poorly or not at all and did not implement pharmacological or non-pharmacological methods of pain relief. Women in labour were left alone for periods exceeding 30 minutes without a partner or other support person.

Linking Evidence to Action: This study suggests that the current workplace culture in the labour ward includes not assessing or treating (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) women’s pain during the first stage of labour. Pain management strategies should be collaboratively planned with midwives to improve the management of pain during labour and the attitude towards support persons.

Intersectionality of disability and gender-based violence: Experiences of women living with disability in Nigeria

Paul O. Awoniyi — 2024-09-03

In Nigeria, women living disabilities - WLD are more exposed to GBV due to their vulnerability. This study identified the types of GBV against WLD as well as the impact of GBV on their physical and mental well-being. It also examined the effect of sexism on WLD and their coping strategies. Qualitative research design and a semi-structured interview was used to gather data across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria from 60 disabled women who had experienced GBV. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study identified the various forms of violence experienced and found that physical and sexual violent are the most prevalent form of violence against women living with disability. In the aftermath of the abuse, participants reported that they coped by finding succor in family/friends, seeking professional help of therapist and joining support groups. In light of these findings, this study emphasizes that women living with disabilities are not exempt from the scourge of GBV; rather, they bear a double burden due to the intersection of gender and disability. These insights can potentially guide the development of more inclusive and targeted measures to address GBV against WLD in Nigeria, ultimately contributing to a safer and more supportive environment for this vulnerable population.

Young female users’ perception of and exposure to sex-related contents on social media in Nigeria

Adebayo John James — 2024-09-03

A number of factors account for the reasons why young female people put on a certain kind of behaviour. Studies, in Nigeria, have shown that sexual immoralities and sexual weird behaviours among young female are on the increase.The study assessed young female users’ perception of and exposure to sex-related content on social media in Nigeria.The study adopted analytical approach to elicit relevant data from a range of messages on the Facebook and Instagram walls, a total of 105 images, cartoons and video skits relevant to the focus of this research were purposively selected and analysed from the walls of 510 contacts on Facebook and Instagram. The contents on the Facebook and Instagram walls of the respondents were selected on the basis of their relevance to this study. Data were collected from the Facebook and Instagram walls of young university female students believed to be relevant to this study. Findings showed that young social media users perceive sex-related contents on social media as causing sex initiation. Findings also revealed that socialization informed young female users’ exposure to sex-related contents on social media. The study, therefore, recommended that Governments at all levels, have to arrest the increasing immoral behaviours and obscene contents on social media, must initiate laws to regulate the contents of social media, especially as it relates to sex. Though, smartphones are everywhere and the heavy users of these smartphones have been the young people, evils of exposing to sex-related contents on social media should be publicised among youths, using other mass communication media to deter and debar the young people from viewing the vulgarities on social media platforms. The study focused on perception and exposure of young female users to sex-related contents on social media, it failed to examined other media of mass communication such as magazine, television and other digital media through which young women could get exposed to other sex-related contents.

Gender asymmetry in leadership in African higher education

Simon Vurayai — 2024-09-03

This qualitative study examines the manifestations of gender asymmetry and conflict in leadership and decision making in African higher education. The critical feminist lenses were employed as the bedrock for analysis. This study found out that factors such as inert gender policies, gender blind curriculum, skewed access, biased research, patriarchy, roleconflict, and gender centered networking are forms of social closure that impede women from attaining the positions of leadership and decision making in African higher education. A compound of these factors has condemned, relegated and churned most women academics into lower echelons of power with low rewards as compared to their male counterparts. Basing on the findings from the literature and theoretical review, this study recommended forrigorous revision, implementation, evaluation and monitoring of gender sensitive policies and curricula that empower men and women equally. Gender studies as a discipline should be introduced in schools and higher education institutions to demystify the endemic gender ideologies that tend to derail women’s participation in research, networking, mentoring and decision making.

Access to health insurance schemes in Nigeria: Implications on maternal mortality

Oluwatosin Ilevbare — 2024-09-03

This study investigated the relationship between Nigerian women’s access to health insurance and maternal mortality, also considering the moderating role of women demographics. The coverage of National/State Health Insurance(NHI) especially as it relates with gender, age of respondents, type of health insurance, level of education of respondents, and area of residence was assessed. A cross-sectional survey of 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data set was used. For every 1% rise in the number of women enrolled with health insurance, there is a 53.4% decrease in maternal mortality rate. It was also discovered that the level of education and age significantly influence their access to health insurance, which in turn influenced rate of maternal mortality. The need to strategically increase women’s enrolmentand coverage in NHI is imperative as this can potentially improve women’s health outcomes especially among women with low educational qualification and residents of rural areas. It is therefore recommended that there is a strong policy in place to ensure effective inclusion of vulnerable members (women and children) and rural women under the national/state health insurance scheme.

Pump and PWFA laws for women in the USA: What is it and why are women still concerned? Commentary

Abena Asefuaba Yalley — 2024-09-03

Women bear the biological responsibilities of reproduction to ensure human population sustainability, yet women continue to face discriminatory treatments when they become either pregnant or nursing mothers. The question is, how do we legally reconcile women’s natural child-bearing roles and support their professional endeavours? Against this backdrop, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) were passed by the US government to address workplace biases and discrimination against women and help women during pregnancy and after childbirth. The paper is a commentary highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of these laws. We submit that while these laws mean a breakthrough for women in these categories, there are inherent flaws and areas for improvement. A limitation of the act is that the PWFA and PUMP laws do not protect pregnant women in an all-encompassing manner, with some pregnant women excluded. Pregnant and nursing mothers should be protected by their employers regardless of the size of the organizations. We conclude that the PUMP and PWFA laws are not enough and there is a critical need for the government to address some of the critical barriers to the laws and provide an encompassing support for women.

Netizens as action citizens: the case of Female in Nigeria (FIN) facebook FINsters, their stories and their actions

Iyabode Omolara Akewo Nwabueze — 2024-09-03

Online citizen action has been quite popular in recent times. Nonetheless, the way the online community has also become a means of gender mainstreaming and gender empowerment has not been focused. This paper thus looks at the online community called Female in Nigeria, a Facebook group, serving as an online platform that has greatly empowered many Nigerian women and those women married to Nigerian men. The paper does a profile review in terms of looking at the systematic way the online platform has helped to change the defeatist psychology of many Nigerian women, empowering and encouraging them to fight against injustices, even if it is against other women who are perceived to be doing things anti-women. The researcher harvested several posts by the women and saved them on her Facebook page. Out of these, 25 posts were used for analysis. A critical analysis of the content was done through the profiling of the contents of the women’s Facebook posts based on Daniel's (2008) proposal of self-determinism. This is to determine their linguistic choices of before and now and how they demonstrate a self-deterministic attitude through their linguistic choices and self-expression. The analysis of the women’s stories demonstrates that the women changed. The secret seems to be in the women’s ability to bond and encourage one another. In addition, the women were quite open as shown by some of the personal things they shared on the platform. This group seemed to have helped to shatter not just the glass ceiling concerning women’s psychological predispositions but also the idea of women being the enemies of women. This negative concept about women's cooperation appears to have been finally put to rest as shown by these women’s ability to support one another.

Factors contributing to attrition from the medication dispensing programme in the North West Province amongst people living with HIV

O. Masemola — 2024-09-03

The Centralised Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme, introduced in South Africa in 2014, works in partnership with the Health Systems Trust (HST) on behalf of the National Department of Health. The aim of the programme is to provide access to stable HIV- infected clients to receive treatment outside of the clinic at pick up points with shorter queues in a convenient area. This study intended to explore and describe the factors that contribute to the attrition rate amongst people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) from the CCMDD programme in the Bojanala District, Northwest Province. A qualitative, explorative, and descriptive approach guided the study. Twelve people living with HIV were purposively sampled and individual interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. Data analysis was done using content analysis. Three main themes emerged from the data, namely patient-related factors, healthcare provider-related factors and resource-related factors, with sub-themes such as financial challenges, patient-nurse interaction, stigmatization, and inadequate knowledge of ARV therapy; resource provider-related issues like medication availability and inconvenient collection periods, addressing these factors is crucial to improving retention in the programme. Results: The factors emerged indicated the need for strategies to address financial support for patients, community education to reduce stigmatization, and enhanced patient educationon ARV therapy. Strengthening patient-nurse interactions and ensuring consistent follow-up from the healthcare providers are also essential. Recommendations include ensuring reliable medication availability and flexible collection periods to accommodate patients’ schedules.

South African pre-apartheid customary marriages limiting women rights and post-apartheid transformative interventions

Mthombeni Vinseni — 2024-09-03

The indigenous people of South Africa have very rich traditions and customs before the arrival of the White colonial and apartheid settlers. One of the customs that endured and practiced amongst the indigenous people predominantly the black people was the way and manner they conduct and consummate customary marriages. This culture and belief played prominent roles and strict adherence to them was required and enforced. Methodologically, the discussion in this article is broadly grounded on the existing post-apartheid transformative customary marriage interventions where the Constitution and legislation recognised equal rights of women just like their male counterparts in customary marriages. To this end, the article did an in-depth critical review and analysis in addressing discrimination and ensuring that customary marriages meet the requirements of the Constitution. In this regard, the article makes amodest approach to justify why customary marriages should continue to be practiced in their original forms and at the same time meet and pass Constitutional muster which entails protecting and promoting the rights of vulnerable gender women. Methodologically, the article used post-1994 apartheid customary laws to accentuate the need to continually afford equal rights to women in customary marriages.

Conflict analysis of domestic violence against women in Oye Ekiti community, Ekiti State

Anthony Oghenevwoke Agbegbedia — 2024-09-03

The study analysed factors and impacts associated with domestic violence against women in Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria. Violence against women is a major violation of human rights and the menace is frequent in Oye Ekiti community where women face a lot of violation from their spouses and other male figures. Data were sourced using primary and secondary methods of collection. Survey design and simple random sampling technique were adopted for the study and 100 copies of structured questionnaire were administered but 97 copies were retrieved for analysis. Data retrieved were analyzed using descriptive method such as table and frequency distributions and content analysis. Factors responsible for violence against women in Oye Ekiti include amongst others cultural and religious factors; and economic dependency of women on men. Also, patriarchy and women status have continued to influence the perpetration of violence against women. In sum, there is high rate of domestic violence in Oye Ekiti which has adverse effects on women’s health in the community. Violence against women is caused by a number of factors and the society regard it as a normal phenomenon. Government and non-governmental organizations should establish agencies to deal with violence against women.