Scholarly works in Health Promotion and Education
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.ui.edu.ng/handle/123456789/430
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Item Analysis of alcohol policy in Nigeria: multi-sectoral action and the integration of the WHO “best-buy” interventions(Springer Nature, 2019) Abiona, O.; Oluwasanu, M.; Oladepo, O. O.Background: Harmful alcohol use is a modifiable risk factor contributing to the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases and deaths and the implementation of policies focused on primary prevention is pivotal to address this challenge. Policies with actions targeting the harmful use of alcohol have been developed in Nigeria. This study is an in-depth analysis of alcohol-related policies in Nigeria and the utilization of WHO Best Buy interventions (BBIs) and multi-sectoral action (MSA) in the formulation of these policies. Methods: A descriptive case study design and the Walt and Gilson framework of policy analysis was utilized for the research. Components of the study included a scoping review consisting of electronic search of Google and three online databases (Google Scholar, Science Direct and PubMed) to identify articles and policy documents with no language and date restrictions. Government institution provided documents which were not online. Thirteen policy documents, reports or articles relevant to the policy formulation process were identified. Other components of the study included interviews with 44 key informants (Bureaucrats and Policy Makers) using a pretested guide. The qualitative data were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Findings revealed that policy actions to address harmful alcohol use are proposed in the 2007 Federal Road Safety Act, the Non-communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Policy and the Strategic Plan of Action. Only one of the best buy interventions, (restricted access to alcohol) is proposed in these policies. Multi-sectoral action for the formulation of alcohol-related policy was low and several relevant sectors with critical roles in policy implementation were not involved in the formulation process. Overall, alcohol currently has no holistic, health-sector led policy document to regulate the marketing, promotion of alcohol and accessibility. A major barrier is the low government budgetary allocation to support the process. Conclusions: Nigeria has few alcohol-related policies with weak multi-sectoral action. Funding constraint remains a major threat to the implementation and enforcement of proposed policy actions.Item Analysis of tobacco control policies in Nigeria: historical development and application of multi-sectoral action(Springer Nature, 2018) Oladepo, O.; Oluwasanu, M.; Abiona, O.Background: Tobacco use is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases and policy formulation on tobacco is expected to engrain international guidelines. This paper describes the historical development of tobacco control policies in Nigeria, the use of multi-sectoral action in their formulation and extent to which they align with the World Health Organisation “best buy” interventions. Methods: We adopted a descriptive case study methodology guided by the Walt and Gilson Policy Analysis Framework. Data collection comprised of document review (N = 18) identified through search of government websites and electronic databases with no date restriction and key informant interviews (N = 44) with stakeholders in public and private sectors. Data was integrated and analyzed using content analysis. Ethical approval was granted by the University of Ibadan and University College Hospital Ethics Review Committee. Results: Although the agenda for development of a national tobacco control policy dates back to the 1950s, a comprehensive Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) compliant policy was only developed in 2015, 10 years after Nigeria signed the FCTC. Lack of funding and conflict of interest (of protecting citizens from harmful effect of tobacco viz. a viz. the economic gains from the industry) are the major barriers that slowed the policy process. Current tobacco –related policies developed by the Federal Ministry of Health were formulated through strong multi-sectoral engagement and covering all the four WHO “best buy” interventions. Other policies had limited multi-sectoral engagement and “best buy” strategies. The tobacco industry was involved in the development of the Standards for Tobacco Control of 2014 contrary to the long-standing WHO guideline against engagement of the industry in policy formulation. Conclusions: Nigeria has a comprehensive national policy for tobacco control which was formulated a decade after ratification of the FCTC due to constraints of funding and conflict of interest. Not all the tobacco control policies in Nigeria engrain the principles of multi sectorality and best buy strategies in their formulation. There is an urgent need to address these neglected areas that may hamper tobacco control efforts in Nigeria.Item Ensuring health security for Nigerians by 2050: closing the equity gaps in reproductive health(BioMed Central, 2019) Abiona, O.; Oluwasanu, M.; Oladepo, O. O.Background: Reproductive health is a key foundation for strategies to address health security. It constitutes a vital element in the vision to achieve improved health, quality of life and well-being of individuals and families and the realisation of national economic goals. Developing a blue print for health security in reproductive health matters may contribute to closing the equity gaps in Nigeria by the year 2050. Methods: Gaps in reproductive health were identified through situation analysis of selected reproductive health indices. SWOT analysis was also conducted to outline areas of strengths and opportunities, in addition to weaknesses and threats. Key reproductive health indicators were forecasted for 2050. Results: Despite all efforts, gaps still exist in the country’s reproductive health indices including maternal, perinatal, contraceptive, abortion and gynaecological. Most pregnancy-related deaths are linked largely to preventable causes. If unaddressed, these challenges would undermine gains from previous interventions and responses from governmental and non-governmental organizations and pose serious threats to the nation’s health security. Conclusions: The country must be committed to reproductive health agenda that is focused on the International Conference on Population and Development goal in its bid to achieve health security by the year 2050. Due considerations must be accorded to emerging reproductive health issues like men’s reproductive health and their involvement intheir partners’ reproductive health, and the reproductive health needs of the aged, people with disabilities and those in humanitarian settings. Further in achieving health security for Nigerians by the year 2050, the principles underlying the reproductive health policy of the country must be upheld. These include equity, right based approach, gender and age responsiveness, cultural sensitivity and continuum of care amongst others.
