DSpace Collection: These are publications by academic staff and postgraduate students of Sociology programme

Chronic pain experiences and barriers to healthcare services among people who use illegal drugs in Uyo, Nigeria

2024-05-27T10:12:15Z

Title: Chronic pain experiences and barriers to healthcare services among people who use illegal drugs in Uyo, Nigeria Authors: Nelson, Ediomo-Ubong. Ekpo Abstract: A growing body of research has examined chronic pain management among people who use illegal drugs (PWUID) in western countries, but less is known about this subject in Africa. The objective of this study was to explore chronic pain experiences and barriers to healthcare services for PWUID living with chronic pain in Uyo, Awka Ibom State in Nigeria. The study was designed as an exploratory qualitative research. It was conducted in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. The population of study was PWUID living with chronic pain residing in Uyo. The sample (n=26, 21 men and 5 women) was selected through snowball techniques. Primary data were collected through in-depth interviews using an open-ended question guide. Three key informants (1 health professional and 2 management officials) were also interviewed. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and translated verbatim, and coded and analysed thematically. The integrative sociological theory of Pierre Bourdieu guided the study. The result showed that chronic pain is an intractable condition, which has negative effects on work, social relationships and everyday activities. Chronic pain was attributed to different causative factors, including substance use, exposure to the elements, stress, and difficult working conditions. While some participants received social support from family members, friends and co-workers, others experienced stigma and discrimination. Similarly, while some received social support from health workers, others faced discriminations. Stigma and discrimination, insufficient funds to pay for medical services, restrictions on opioid prescription and health-related beliefs posed as barriers to health services and encouraged resort to less efficacious and potentially harmful alternatives such as unapproved drugs. The study concluded that barriers to health services operate as structural violence that impedes access to health services for most PWUID. A key contribution to knowledge is that while some PWUID faced discrimination some others received social support from friends and family members. Provision of drug abuse treatment, subsidizing the cost of health services, further regulation of ethnomedicine, training of health workers and development of guidelines for service delivery were recommended for improving access to pain management for PWUID.

Awareness and perception of the health risks associated with alcohol consumption among students of public tertiary institutions in kwara State, Nigeria

2022-05-09T12:10:35Z

Title: Awareness and perception of the health risks associated with alcohol consumption among students of public tertiary institutions in kwara State, Nigeria Authors: Oyebode, A.O. Abstract: The consequences of consuming alcoholic beverages are enormous. There are health related complications, both severe and chronic conditions that are linked to excessive alcohol consumption. Heavy consumers of alcohol are more likely to indulge in social vices due to cognitive impairment and students who engage in high alcohol intake are more likely to perform poorly in their academics. Against these backdrops, this study investigated awareness and perception of the health risks associated with alcohol consumption among students. This was with a view to understanding the state of knowledge and perception of health risks associated with consumption of alcohol among students of selected tertiary institution in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study was conducted among students of public tertiary institutions in Kwara State Nigeria using a cross sectional research design that consisted of quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative data was generated through a survey with 400 respondents selected through a proportionate sampling design from Kwara State College of Education University of Ilorin, Federal Polytechnic, Offa and Kwara State College of Education, Oro. The qualitative evidence was captured through 10 in-depth interviews (IDI) using a snowball sampling technique to recruit students who are heavy consumers of alcohol. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 22 and presented based on frequency distribution, chi-square and multiple regression. A thematic qualitative approach was adopted in analyzing the qualitative data. Evidence from both data sources was presented in a complementary manner where feasible. The results showed that loneliness was the leading factor responsible for alcohol consumption that motivated students to consume alcoholic drinks. The results showed that approximately one-third (34.9%) of the students had positive perception towards alcohol consumption while 21% had adequate knowledge of health risks associated with alcohol consumption. The chi-square analysis results showed that frequency of alcohol consumption on daily (χ2=65.7, p<0.05), weekly (χ2=78.8, p<0.05) and monthly (χ2=133.5, p<0.05) basis were significantly associated with knowledge of health risks associated with alcohol consumption among students. Students’ perception about alcohol consumption and knowledge of risks associated with alcohol consumption were significantly associated (χ2=389.8, p<0.05). The multiple regression results showed that frequency of alcohol consumption and students’ perception of alcohol consumption contributed 10% to the extent of their knowledge on the health risks associated with alcohol consumption. Results of the qualitative study revealed that students were of the view that moderate consumption of alcohol was needful with no negative health implications arising from it. The study concluded that students’ awareness and perception of the health risks that are associated with consumption of alcohol in public tertiary institution influenced their consumption of alcohol.

Living conditions and health status of urban slum dwellers in makoko community, Lagos State

2022-05-09T12:08:42Z

Title: Living conditions and health status of urban slum dwellers in makoko community, Lagos State Authors: Oginlade, O. Abstract: This study examined living conditions and health status of urban slum dwellers in Makoko community. It considered the influence of sanitary condition, housing type, access to good quality water and solid waste disposal on health status of urban slum dwellers in Makoko community. The study hypothesized that sanitary condition, housing type, access to good quality water and solid waste disposal influence health status of urban slum dwellers. Three theories form the framework of this study, namely, Ernest Burgess‟s concentric zone theory, theory of relative deprivation and Charles Stokes‟ Theory of Slums. The study employed quantitative and qualitative research methods. The probability sampling method, specifically stratified sampling technique, was used in selecting two hundred and fifty respondents of which two hundred and thirty- four respondents were valid for the quantitative study. In using this sampling technique, different housing units were divided into five strata, namely, plank/bamboo bungalows, cement bungalows, storey buildings, bricks bungalow, and terrace buildings. Data gathered from the study were analyzed using simple percentage and chi-square analysis. Also, the non-probability sampling technique, specifically purposive sampling technique was used to select five respondents for the qualitative study. The results of the quantitative study were corroborated by findings from the qualitative study. In light of the findings of the study, it was recommended that good quality water should be provided for residents of Makoko community. Also, decent and affordable housing units should be provided for residents of Makoko community. Furthermore, it was recommended that residents of Makoko should be sensitized on ways to ensure hygienic lifestyle through proper waste disposal method and good sanitation.

Prevalence,perception and health seeking behaviour of typhoid fever patients in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria.

2022-05-09T12:05:41Z

Title: Prevalence,perception and health seeking behaviour of typhoid fever patients in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. Authors: Oyewole, D.O. Abstract: Typhoid fever overtime has posed a grave threat to public health globally leading to quest for knowledge towards the environment and known modes of contraction of the disease. Amongst other studies examined on Typhoid fever, this study, explored the prevalence, perception and health seeking behaviour of Typhoid fever of Iwo residents. Health belief model and functionalism theories provided theoretical framework for the study while the research design was descriptive. Iwo was purposively selected because hospital records show 6/10 are diagnosed with Typhoid fever in Iwo. The poor use of the major source of water (Aiba stream) is another salient issue. Yamane (1967) sample size determination was used to select 379 participants comprising males and female citizens of Iwo out of total population of population of 191,348. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on the various variables used in the study. Quantitative data were analysed using simple percentages and descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were content analysed. Respondents mean age was 15 ± 1.0 years, 51.9% were females and 35.1% had WASCE or its equivalent as highest educational qualification. There was a high frequency of occurrence of 54.9% of Typhoid fever suffered by respondents. The major cause of Typhoid fever was bacterial infection showing (61.2%). Typhoid fever is treated most with herbal remedies by respondents (19.3%). Desire to patronise modern medical health centers is crippled by availability of drugs or it’s expensiveness. The need to guard against re occurrence and a possible endemic situation of the Typhoid disease is the sole responsibility of everyone in the community; this is by fostering good health habits, providing adequate infrastructure and enlightenment.