Cultural dimensions in population related issues in Nigeria: Implications for planning population intervention programme

Abstract

Culture as a way of life determines to a large extent human behaviour. It is patterned, learned, shared and adaptive and transmittable from one generation to the other and has a way of influencing everything we do. It can be perpetuated and has a potential to overpower intervention  programmes, social and educational motivations. In view of these, this paper examined some cultural dimensions of population issues with  particular reference to cultural factors and population, cultural construction of HIV and AIDS, population policy implementation strategies and  implications for planning. Cultural practices, norms, values, beliefs and religion negatively influence procreation, population control measures, immunization, child survival transmission, management, child survival transmission, management and care of HIV and AIDS. Traditional beliefs about the value of children, particularly preference for sons, polygamy, widow inheritance, child marriage, female circumcision, gender-based violence, male dominance in decision making regarding sexual  determination and choice of family planning, stigmatization of People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)are also culturally induced to some extent. The paper suggests that cultural practices beliefs and values be taken cognizance of in developing and implementing population policy by  involving community leaders and representatives of other stakeholders.

Keywords: Cultural dimensions, population related issues, cultural   practices, values and norms, implementation strategies.