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A Socio-Legal Approach to Violence Against Women in Nigeria
(2015) Akanle,O; Busari,D
Gender constructions are not obvious human categories and factors amongst the most contested academic and scholarly issues. This is partly because gender is a sensitive subject, with varying conceptions dependent on contexts of human actions. Among the most affected subjects of power relations is also gender, thus making it amenable to many interpretations and intervention efforts. Due to the centrality of gender issues to economic, political, social and general practical existences, Nigerian governments over the years have instituted policies and laws to address the issues related to gender. Unfortunately, gender sentiments, biases and orientations that the laws and policies are meant to address also still affect gender constructs and the laws/ policies themselves in a way that calls the policies and the laws to question in terms of efficacy, ultimately. This demonstrates the deepseatedness of gender and its complex yet dynamic nature as it interfaces power and sensitiveness as different categories of humans interact. What is then the place of the laws in addressing gender relations? What are the natures of dominant legal systems in the face of unequal power-play as they affect gender? What are the gaps and the strengths of gender-focused legal systems in Nigeria? Since gender is not a self-evident human category, what are the pathways to a more positive gender relations in Nigeria and how can socio-legal systems more proactively and more positively address gendered human conditions? These are indicative research questions this paper addresses. This paper reviews and analyzes the gender-related components of the Nigerian legal systems and policies in manners that will benefit scholarship and practice.
Adherence to malaria treatment during pregnancy: does availability and utilization of medical facilities translate to compliance?
(2014-12) Nwokocha, E. E.
Malaria is a major health issue in sub-Saharan Africa with pregnant women and children at greater risk of exposure to the disease than other population cohorts. Studies on malaria related maternal mortality in Nigeria have focused largely on preventive behaviour and healthcare providers’ knowledge of treatment regimen. Negligible attention has been paid to adherence of care seekers to treatment in relevant contexts. Employing the cross-sectional survey method, 927 pregnant women in Ondo state, Southwest Nigeria were selected through a multistage sampling technique. In addition, 12 In-depth Interviews (IDIs) were conducted among relevant stakeholders. Results showed that adherence to malaria treatment among pregnant women was influenced by social, residential and demographic factors in both rural and urban areas of the state. Expectant mothers without formal education reported higher level of adherence to medication (r=-631 p< .034) than those of higher educational status, indicating that the level of education does not necessarily influence adherence to medication. Policy and national programmes aimed at maternal mortality reduction should recognise the important role that culture plays in people’s perception and behaviour and by implication aetiology of diseases. Without a feasible, people-oriented and context specific intervention, malaria induced maternal morbidity and mortality will remain high not only in Ondo State but Nigeria in general.
Adolescent sexuality and Life skills education in Nigeria: to what extent have out-of-School adolescents been Reached?
(Women's Health and Action Research Centre, 2014-12) Isiugo-Abanihe, U. C.; Olajide, R.; Nwokocha, E.; Fayehun, F.; Okunola, R.; Akingbade, R.
The introduction of school-based adolescent sexuality and life skills education in Nigeria’s formal education sector raises the misgiving that out-of-school youths who constitute more than half of the youth population might be neglected. This study investigated the extent to which out-of-school adolescents have been reached with sexuality education in Nigeria. The study took place in the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, and involved out-of-school adolescents, Non-Governmental Organizations, and community leaders. The qualitative research approaches were employed. Most of the youths had been exposed to sexuality education through seminars, trainings and workshops organized by different organizations. However, states in the south were better served than those in the north. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV/AIDS prevention accounted for more than 40% of the content of sexuality and life skills education received by out-of-school adolescents. The programmes have impacted positively on adolescents’ disposition and relationship with the opposite sex, knowledge and skill building.
Adolescent sexuality and life skills education in Nigeria: to what extent have out-of-School adolescents been reached?
(2014) Isiugo-Abanihe, U. C.; Olajide, R.; Nwokocha, E. E.; Fayehun, F.; Okunola, R.; Akingbade, R.
The introduction of school-based adolescent sexuality and life skills education in Nigeria’s formal education sector raises the misgiving that out-of-school youths who constitute more than half of the youth population might be neglected. This study investigated the extent to which out-of-school adolescents have been reached with sexuality education in Nigeria. The study took place in the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, and involved out-of-school adolescents, Non-Governmental Organizations, and community leaders. The qualitative research approaches were employed. Most of the youths had been exposed to sexuality education through seminars, trainings and workshops organized by different organizations. However, states in the south were better served than those in the north. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV/AIDS prevention accounted for more than 40% of the content of sexuality and life skills education received by out-of-school adolescents. The programmes have impacted positively on adolescents’ disposition and relationship with the opposite sex, knowledge and skill building.
Adolescents' socio-economic and cultural vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and other STIs - Research needs and priorities
(Research and Documentation on Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health in Nigeria, 2011) Nwokocha, E. E.
ADOPTIONOFHEALTHINSURANCESCHEMEANDHEALTHSEEKINGBEHAVIOURAMOGEMPLOYEESOFPRIVATEORGANISATIONS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA
(2023-08) STARRIS-ONYEMA,P.N.
The Health Insurance Scheme (HIS), a means of financing medical care among employees globally, is designed to subsidise medical costs. In Nigeria, HIS is inadequately implemented and this affects access to healthcare among employees, particularly in the private sector. Existing studies have mainly focused on biomedical aspects of HIS in the public sector with scant attention given to the social factors associated with its utilisation among employees of private organisations, including Enugu State, where the scheme has officially been adopted by private sector organisations. This study, therefore, examined the extent to which HIS is utilised; influence of its adoption on health-seeking behaviour; treatment pathways of enrollees; gender differentials in its utilisation; and the challenges reported by private sector employers that have enlisted in the scheme in Enugu State. The Structural Functionalist Theory and Health Belief Model served as framework, while the cross-sectional survey design was employed. The purposive sampling technique was used to select one organisation from each of the manufacturing and service industries that have adopted HIS. A sample of 457 respondents were drawn using Yamane’s formula. Simple random sampling was used to proportionately administer semi-structured questionnaire to employees in manufacturing (369) and service (88) industries. Twenty-four in-depth interviews were conducted with employees in manufacturing (14) and service (10) industries. Sixteen key informant interviews were conducted with management staff of manufacturing (5) and service (3) industries. Four healthcare providers from National Health Insurance Agency (NHIA) accredited hospitals, two managers of health maintenance organisations, and two NHIA executive officers. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Logistic regression and T-test at p≤0.05, while the qualitative data were content-analysed. The respondents’ age was 38±2.4 years; 77.4% had tertiary education and 70.8% were married. Forty-six percent partially utilised and 32.0% adequately utilised HIS. The extent to which HIS was adequately utilised was significantly associated with respondents’ aged ≥50 years (OR=4.87), tertiary education (OR=3.53) and those who were married (OR=2.57). Influence of HIS on health-seeking behaviour was significantly associated with senior staff (OR=1.57) and 100, 000 (OR=4.04) as monthly income. The treatment pathways for employees started with visit to HIS hospitals (61.2%), home therapy (23.2%), visit to hospitals without HIS (12.5%), faith/religious centres (2.9%) and traditional medical centre (0.2%). Some of those who did not visit HIS accredited hospitals at the onset of their ill-health resorted to visiting HIS accredited hospitals when their conditiondeteriorated.Femaleemployees(52.6%)were more likely to seek healthcare through HIS than their male counterparts (47.4%) after enrolling in HIS plan. Private sector employers’ challenges in the adoption of HIS included payment of premium, abuse oftheschemebysomeemployees,complexbureaucratic structure of the scheme and employees' inability to access certain treatments due to their organisations’ chosen HIS plan.Socio-organisational and individual factors influenced the adoption of health insurance scheme and the health seeking-behaviour of private sector employees in Enugu State, Nigeria. Health maintenance officials, Healthcare providers and other stakeholders should therefore increase awareness about the benefits of utilising health insurance scheme by private sector employees in order to reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure.
Annual Street Carnivals and Youth Violence in South-West Nigeria
(2017) Ojedokun,U.A; Busari,D.A
The growing number of carnival-related violence has added another dimension to the problem of youth violence in Nigeria. On this basis, this study investigated youth violence associated with annual street carnivals in south-west Nigeria. Social disorganisation theory was adopted as a theoretical framework. In-depth interview, key-informant interview and focus group discussion methods were employed for data collection; and purposive and snowball sampling techniques were utilised for the selection of 68 respondents. Findings revealed that youth attached spiritual and symbolic meanings to their annual end-of-the-year street carnivals. However, there were divergent opinions regarding the benefits accruable from street carnivals as most of the respondents contended that street carnivals are increasingly becoming synonymous with violence in south-west Nigeria. Lax security arrangements at carnival grounds, supremacy battle, and retaliation among carnival participants were the major factors promoting violence. Therefore, state governors in the region should be more proactive towards addressing violence associated with annual street carnivals.
AN ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY POLICING-ORIENTED TRAINING PROGRAMME IN BENUE AND LAGOS STATES, NIGERIA
(2014-03) OGADIMMA, C. A.
The adoption of community policing-oriented strategy in Nigeria in 2004 has led to a shift in police training focus and curriculum contents. Studies on community policing-oriented training have largely been general in nature without paying much attention to the training content, competence of trainers and post-training challenges. This study therefore, assessed the perceived influence of community policing-oriented training on police interactions with the public in crime prevention in Benue and Lagos States. A combination of gap, community-driven development and skill acquisition theories were adopted as theoretical framework. Ex-post-facto research design was employed. The capitals of Benue and Lagos states were purposively selected, with the police and community leaders constituting the study population. Six divisional police headquarters were selected from each of the two locations through a purposive sampling method. The questionnaire focused on demographic data, policing experience of respondents, adequacy, relevance and challenges of community policing-oriented training in Nigeria. Questionnaire was administered to 600 respondents selected through simple random sampling method, while post-training observations, twenty one in-depth interviews (IDI) and six Focus Group Discussions (FGD) sessions were conducted among purposively selected police trainers, divisional police officers and key community leaders. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and T-test while qualitative data were content-analysed. The respondents’ mean age was 34±6 years, 65.0% were males and 52.0% had secondary education. Respondents with 1-5 years of policing experience were 41.8%. Perceived friendliness of the public to the police was 23.7% and 89.0% before and after training respectively. There was a significant relationship between years of policing experience and the perceived relevance of training materials to daily policing experience (p<0.05). There was a significant relationship between years of policing experience and effectiveness of community policing-oriented training in crime prevention among the trainees p<0.05). The curriculum for training was considered relevant within the backdrop of community policing-oriented training objectives revolving mainly around human rights, communication, leadership, intelligence gathering, conflict management, community engagement, attitudinal change, accountability, vigilante support and relationship-building skills. The practical component was not undertaken as training modules were designed mainly for use in the class rooms. However, post-training field observation indicated the complaints of unfriendly attitude on the part of officers towards the public. The IDI showed poor treatment of the public, logistics and welfare concerns by the police. The FGD showed that the complaints of extortion, disrespect, corruption and brutality by the public still persisted, while the police post-training challenges included posting trainees to crime fighting beats, skeptical public, uncooperative colleagues and lack of equipment and kits from the government. The public in Benue state were more eager to partner with the police in crime prevention than the Lagos state public. The police in Benue and Lagos states have embraced community policing-oriented training programme, but their attitude towards the public have not improved. There is therefore a need to expose trainees to practical demonstrations of crime prevention in the community to make them relate better with the public.
Attitude and decisions regarding personal healthcare: the case of women under microfinancein Edo state, Nigeria
(Department of Sociology, Faculty of the Social Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, 2020-12) Taiwo, P. A.
The paper examined women’s attitude towards their personal health using the Health Belief Model as theoretical framework. Questionnaire was administered to 750 purposively selected respondents consisting of 400 from 3 branches of a microfinance banks (MBs) with integrated health services (IHS), and 350 from 3 other MBs without IHS in Edo state Nigeria. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted with 20 microfinance officials. Questionnaire was administered to 750 purposively selected respondents consisting of 400 from 3 branches of a microfinance banks (MBs) with integrated health services (IHS), and 350 from 3 other MBs without IHS in Edo state Nigeria. Twenty Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted with microfinance officials. Women displayed positive attitude towards their personal health with mean score for clients in both MBs with IHS and without IHS being 63.9±8.2 and 47.9±5.6 respectively (where mean score for positive attitude is ≥ 40). Furthermore, although 62.0% agreed “they cannot take their health for granted no matter what”, those who agreed and were undecided that “they won’t make decisions about their health without their spouses” were 47.8% and 32.8% respectively. Women’s roles as caregivers and dependants on their spouses make them prioritize their household needs and spouses’ decision over their personal health. Enlightening women on the relevance of prioritizing their personal healthcare is recommended to reduce poor health conditions among women.
Attitude of women towards family planning in selected rural communities of Ibadan
(2012-09) Taiwo, P. A.
The immediate need to control the high fertility rates among women in the rural part of Nigeria has attracted the interest of scholars in the academic world. Lots have been done by international agencies and other stakeholders to encourage the use of family planning methods among women both in rural and urban areas of developing countries including Nigeria. This notwithstanding, there still exist a great challenge of unmet needs regarding family planning especially in the rural part of Ibadan as the desired attitudinal and behavioral changes towards family planning is yet to be achieved. This study attempts to examine the attitude of women from selected rural areas in Ibadan towards family planning using the Health Belief Model and Social Action as frameworks for explanation. The qualitative and quantitative methods of research were employed with a survey of 136 randomly selected mothers from 5 rural communities in Ibadan, 15 IDI', 5 KIIs and 5 FGDs. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was utilized in analyzing the quantitative data, while the qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The study revealed that the socio-economic status of mothers significantly influenced their attitude towards family planning. Most of the women had only primary education and more women had no formal education compared to those who had secondary and tertiary education, hence few of them displayed positive attitude towards family planning methods. Majority of the women hardly gave birth in hospitals and depended on their husbands to decide what ever method will be used to space or limit the number of children they will have. The study also revealed that women perceived benefits of family planning as measures: to control population, reduce infant and maternal mortality and also make mothers healthy and strong after child birth. However, these were learnt after they had given birth to more than four children in other places aside the hospitals. The study recommends that couples in rural areas be encouraged to make effective use of contraceptives and adequately educated to appreciate the essence of utilizing family planning methods in order to give birth to quality children. Ante-natal and delivery cost should be highly subsidized in rural areas for women to be encouraged to give birth in the hospitals from the very first child and learn about family planning methods. It was also recommended that family planning programmes that will attract couples to increase their knowledge and positively influence their attitudes towards practicing family planning especially in the rural parts of Ibadan be sponsored and supported by the government
Attitude of women towards family planning in selected rural communities of Ibadan
(2012) Taiwo, P. A. J.
The immediate need to control the high fertility rates among women in the rural part of Nigeria has attracted the interest of scholars in the academic world. Lots have been done by international agencies and other stakeholders to encourage the use of family planning methods among women both in rural and urban areas of developing countries including Nigeria. This notwithstanding, there still exist a great challenge of unmet needs regarding family planning especially in the rural part of Ibadan as the desired altitudinal and behavioral changes towards family planning Is yet to be achieved. This study attempts to examine the attitude of women from selected rural areas in Ibadan towards family planning using the Health Belief Model and Social Action as frameworks for explanation. The qualitative and quantitative methods of research were employed with a survey of 136 randomly selected mothers from 5 rural communities in Ibadan, 15 IDT. 5 Klls and 5 FGDs. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was utilized in analyzing the quantitative data, while the qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The study revealed that the socio-economic status of mothers significantly influenced their attitude towards family planning. Most of the women had only primary education and more women had no formal education compared to those who had secondary and tertiary education, hence few of them displayed positive attitude towards family planning methods. Majority of the women hardly gave birth in hospitals and depended on their husbands to decide what ever method will be used to space or limit the number of children they will have. The study also revealed that women perceived benefits of family planning as measures: to control population, reduce infant and maternal mortality and also make mothers healthy and strong after child birth. However, these were learnt after they had given birth to more than four children in other places aside the hospitals. The study recommends that couples in rural areas be encouraged to make effective use of contraceptives and adequately educated to appreciate the essence of utilizing family planning methods in order to give birth to quality children. Ante-natal and delivery cost should be highly subsidized in rural areas for women to be encouraged to give birth in the hospitals from the very first child and learn about, family planning methods. It was also recommended that family planning programmes that will attract
Attitudes and behaviour of Nigerian university students towards voluntary HIV counselling and testing
(2009) Nwokocha, E. E.; Eyango, V.
Despite increased campaign for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria only a negligible number of young people participates in this activity. This study investigates the factors affecting the attitudes and behaviour of students at the University of Ibadan, which is a microcosm of other universities in the country, as a way of understanding the context in which apathy towards VCT occurs. The Health Belief Model and the Theory of Reasoned Action enable the study to highlight the variables that interact to influence students’ behaviour towards VCT. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews (IDIs). The survey involved 400 respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling technique, while 12 IDIs were conducted among undergraduate and postgraduate students identified as relatively knowledgeable about issues related to VCT – mainly as peer educators. The findings show that although 95.3% of the students were aware of VCT, only 15% of them had undertaken voluntary HIV testing. The specific results indicate that there is a wide gap between intention and action related to VCT. Of the 57.5% respondents who had discussed VCT and intended to participate in it, only 27.3% actually underwent VCT. A combination of overconfidence in not being HIV positive, fear of testing positive to the virus, the perceived non-confidentiality of test results and stigma and discrimination strongly discourage students from partaking in VCT. The study clearly indicates the need to bridge the gap between knowledge and behaviour through vigorous sensitization and enlightenment activities.
Awareness of antimalaria policy and use of Artemisinin-based combination therapy for malaria treatment in communities of two selected local government areas of Ogun State, Nigeria
(Longwoods Publishing, Corp, 2014) Adeneye, A. K.; Jegede, A. S.; Mafe, M. A.|; Nwokocha, E. E.
With limited data on the awareness of change in the use of antimalaria drugs and availability and use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in the context of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) program, we conducted the descriptive cross-sectional study of 262 registered women attending antenatal clinics and 233 mothers of under-five children. We used a questionnaire to assess the awareness, availability and the use of ACT in Ijebu North and Yewa North Local Government Area (LGAs) of Ogun State. Malaria is holo-endemic in these areas, and the RBM program has been implemented for years prior to the 2010 RBM deadline. Data were also collected through focus group discussions, along with secondary data from hospital records. Hospital stock records showed inadequate and inconsistent supplies of ACT drugs in hospitals surveyed. Only 23.0% of respondents knew about Act drugs. About 48% preferred analgesics over ACT drugs (0.6%) for malaria treatment. Lack of awareness was the major reason for non-use of ACT drugs (86.1%). Communities in Yewa North had more supplies of ACT drugs and knew more about ACT than those in Ijebu North. Adequate information on ACT needs to be made available and accessible under a public-private partnership if 2010 RBM targets (now past) and the 2015 Millennium Development Goal (ongoing) for malaria are to be realized in the study communities and Ogun state in general.
Challenges faced by community- oriented policing trainees In Nigeria
(2013) Arisukwu, O. C.; Okunola, R. A.
Community oriented policing training prepares the police trainees on how to partner with the public in crime prevention and control in Nigeria. The trainees after leaving the training grounds still find it difficult to integrate with their colleagues and members of the public in crime prevention and control in Nigeria. The crisis of theory and practice of community oriented policing in Nigeria emerges as the trainees are confronted with both organizational and environmental obstacles in the field. The training of community oriented policing officers need not be in isolation of the operational environment after training. This study unveiled some of the challenges and difficulties experienced by community oriented policing trainees after the training in Nigeria. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. The Gap theory of George J. Thompson was adopted to understand the effects of police interactions with the public after training in community oriented policing in Nigeria.The study revealed some of the challenges faced by police trainees after community oriented policing training in Nigeria and recommended adequate posting and monitoring of the police after training.
Changing familty structures/values and the incidence of human trafficking in Edo state
(2007) Owumi, B. E..; Jerome, P. A.
This paper attempts to unravel the underpinning factors that account for the upsurge of human trafficking in Edo State, Nigeria. The discourse is hinged on the Mertonian concept of innovation which explains the circumvention of societal mainstream values and employed as a circuit and routes to achieving societies collectively subscribed goals. The aims and objectives of the study include: identifying the changes in family structures that predispose parents to trafficking their children; examining the changes in family values that predispose parents to trafficking ;discussing the perception o parents about trafficking their children and finally explaining the reasons for the persistence of human trafficking despite attempts to curb it. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and in-depth interview methods were used in collecting data. The study revealed that parents are predisposed to trafficking their children due to poverty, unemployment, greed, ignorance, illiteracy, polygyny, distortion of social values, dysfunctional families among others
Changing family structures/values and the incidence of human trafficking in Edo State
(2007) Owumi, B. E.; Jerome, P. A.
This paper attempts to unravel the underpinning factors that account for the upsurge of human trafficking in Edo State, Nigeria. The discourse is hinged on the Mertonian concept of innovation which explains the circumvention of societal mainstream values and employed as a circuit and routes to achieving societies collectively subscribed goals. The aims and objectives of the study include: identifying the changes in family structures that predispose parents to trafficking their children; examining the changes in family values that predispose parents to trafficking ;discussing the perception o parents about trafficking their children and finally explaining the reasons for the persistence of human trafficking despite attempts to curb it. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and in-depth interview methods were used in collecting data. The study revealed that parents are predisposed to trafficking their children due to poverty, unemployment, greed, ignorance, illiteracy, polygyny, distortion of social values, dysfunctional families among others.
Changing family structures/values and the incidence of human trafficking in Edo State
(2007) Owumi, B. E.; Jerome, P. A.
This paper attempts to unravel the underpinning factors that account for the upsurge of human trafficking in Edo State, Nigeria. The discourse is hinged on the Mertonian concept of innovation which explains the circumvention of societal mainstream values and employed as a circuit and routes to achieving societies collectively subscribed goals. The aims and objectives of the study include: identifying the changes in family structures that predispose parents to trafficking their children; examining the changes in family values that predispose parents to trafficking; discussing the perception of parents about trafficking their children and finally explaining the reasons for the persistence of human trafficking despite attempts to curb it. Focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth interview methods were used in collecting data. The study revealed that parents are predisposed to trafficking their children due to poverty, unemployment, greed, ignorance, illiteracy, polygyny, distortion of social values, dysfunctional families among others
Child labour in Fostering Practices: A study of Surulere Local Government Area lagos State, Nigeria
(Medwell Journals, 2010) Okunola, R. A.; Ikuomola, A. D.
Many studies in Nigeria have been carried out to examine the trend and outcome of fostering practices and child labour independently but such have generally overlooked the issue of child labour in fostering practices. The study therefore, attempts to examine the existence of child labour in fostering practices: through a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the study exposes how children are being used as economic support by foster parents and the exploitation of the socialization process which sees research as part of the upbringing of a child. This is explicated through the increasing level of poverty in cities and rural areas which have necessitated the act of child labour in fostering practices. Major findings from the study revealed that child labour is on the increase and the effects were negative on the children. Findings were linked to the downturn of the economy which prompted child labour as a coping strategy. Among the sampled respondents, the effect of the economic activities on their education was negative. The need for househelp, economic crises and schooling were major reasons sustaining fostering practices vis-a-vis child labour. Biological parents influence had minimal effect on foster parents control over the economic activities they engaged the foster children which was also observed to be gender based. On the whole, child labour was viewed as important irrespective of the menance of child labour. Based on these findings, the study suggested that there is need for government as well as civil society groups' intervention to alleviate the problem of child labour in fostering practices.
Community perceptions and home management of malaria in selected rural communities of Ogun state, Nigeria
(2013-08) Adeneye, A. K.; Jegede, A. S; Mafe, M. A.; Nwokocha, E. E.
Home Management of Malaria (HMM) is a component of the roll back malaria (RBM) programme being implemented for over a decade to reduce the malaria burden. This study examined the extent to which HMM has raised the ability in promptly recognising and treating malaria at home. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 262 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics and 233 mothers of under-five children using semi-structured questionnaire in Ijebu North and Yewa North local government areas of Ogun State. Data collection also involved focus group discussions. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using EpiInfo 6.04a and Textbase Beta softwares respectively. Only 32.7% of respondents knew about HMM. About 48% preferred analgesics unlike ACTs (0.6%) for malaria treatment. While 45.5% (61.1% Yewa North vs. 29.2% Ijebu North) knew LLIN, only 23.6% used it. Lack of awareness was the major reason for non-use of ACTs (86.1%) and LLINs (71.3%) in HMM. Locality, age, and education significantly determined awareness and use of ACTs and LLIN (p<0.05). Adequate information and stock of ACTs and LLINs should be made available and accessible for the RBM and MDG targets to be realised in the study communities.
Commuters' fear of crime and road transport industry: A case study of Ibadan-Sokoto Transport Corridor.
(2009) Okunola, R. A.
Human activities are conducted over space and this includes movement from one geo-location to another. This major need for movement is mostly serviced by the road transport industry made up of public and private investors. To protect consumers in this sector, various policies and regulations have been put in place not only to ensure value for money and standard but also for the safety and security of commuters and transport operators alike. This however seems like a mirage as criminal activities are steadily shifting from neighbourhoods and settlements to the highways. This paper is an effort towards understanding the situation of things in terms of validity of various reports and extent of such crimes along the Ibadan-Sokoto transport corridor, the state of fear amongst commuters, the effects of this on the road transport industry and stakeholders (transport owners, community and the commuters). The findings showed the apprehension of commuters along this highway and increasing criminal activities in specific points on the highways. Aside from measures taken by commuters and commercial drivers to 'beat' such criminals, communities along the corridor have established local guards to protect commuters who often pay tokens to maintain their services. It is concluded that there is need to re-address the country's highway policing strategy and thus look for ways to integrate and provide technical assistance to local vigilantes who are becoming increasingly relevant on long distance routes in Nigeria.