Beliefs and perceived causes of death among selected undergraduates in Nigerian universities

Abstract

This study is a survey of beliefs and perceived causes of death among undergraduates of the three major universities in Nigeria. Using a multi-stage sampling procedure, a total of 900 respondents (300 each) were selected from first three federal generation universities located in each of the three geo-political regions-North, South & East. An instrument named Beliefs and Perceived Causes of Death Questionnaires (BCDQ) was employed to collect data. Two research questions were formulated and tested at 0.05 alpha level of significance. Data collected were analysed through frequency counts, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan multiple Range Test (DMRT) as a follow-up on ANOVA. Results of the study indicate generally high and positive beliefs about death with Hausa undergraduates having more positive beliefs than their Igbo and Yoruba counterparts. Although, there were no significant ethnic differences in perceived causes of death, the respondents generally had positive perception of the causes of death.

The Nigerian Journal of Guidance and Counselling Vol. 8 (1) 2002: pp. 142-153