Myths, misinformation, and communication about family planning and contraceptive use in Nigeria. Ankomah, Augustine and Anyanti, Jennifer and Oladosu, Muyiwa (2011) Myths, misinformation, and communication about family planning and contraceptive use in Nigeria. Journal of Contraception. pp. 95-105.
ABSTRACT : This paper examines myths, misinformation, factual information, and communication about family planning and their effects on contraceptive use in Nigeria. Methods: A nationally representative sample of 20,171 respondents from two waves of a multiround survey (one in 2003 and the other in 2005), was analyzed at the bivariate level using Chi-square tests and at the multivariate level using logistic regression. Results: Key myths and misinformation about family planning having significant negative effects on contraceptive use included: “contraception makes women become promiscuous”, “it is expensive to practice family planning”, and “family planning causes cancer”. Factual information having significant positive effects on contraceptive use includes the messages that family planning methods are effective and not against religious teaching. The type of people with whom respondents discussed family planning had a significant effect on use of contraception. Respondents who discussed family planning with their spouse, friends, and health workers were more likely to use contraception than those who discussed it with religious leaders. Other significant predictors of contraceptive use were region of residence, gender, and socioeconomic status. Conclusion: Family planning programs should focus on eliminating myths and misinformation, while strengthening factual information. Contraception programs should factor in the role of significant others, particularly spouses and friends.
Reasons for delaying or engaging in early sexual initiation among adolescents in Nigeria. Augustine Ankomah, Fatima Mamman-Daura, Godpower Omoregie, and Jennifer Anyanti1 (2011).
ABSTRACT : Annually, over 1 million births in Nigeria are to teenage mothers. Many of these pregnancies are unwanted and these mothers are also exposed to the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Sexual abstinence is a critical preventative health strategy. Several quantitative studies in Nigeria have identified the correlates and determinants of early sex, yet few have explored in depth the underlying reasons for early sex. This paper explores both the key factors that motivate some unmarried young people to engage in early sex and reasons why some delay.
HIV-related risk perception among female sex workers in Nigeria. Ankomah, Godpower Omoregie, Zacch Akinyemi,2 Jennifer Anyanti, Olaronke Ladipo, and Samson Adebayo. HIV-related risk perception among female sex workers in Nigeria. 2011
ABSTRACT : Over one-third of sex workers in Nigeria are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), yet there is a lack of understanding of sex workers’ own perception of sexual risk-taking. Applying the theory of cognitive dissonance, this paper examined the personal HIV risk perception of brothel-based sex workers.
Relationship between care-givers’ misconceptions and non-use of ITNs by under-five Nigerian children. Arogundade, E.D., Adebayo, S.B., Anyanti, J. et al.Relationship between care-givers’ misconceptions and non-use of ITNs by under-five Nigerian children. Malar J 10, 170 (2011).
ABSTRACT : Malaria has been a major public health problem in Nigeria and many other sub-Saharan African countries. Insecticide-treated nets have shown to be cost-effective in the prevention of malaria, but the number of people that actually use these nets has remained generally low. Studies that explore the determinants of use of ITN are desirable.
Modelling level, trend and geographical variations in stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Samson B Adebayo, Richard Fakolade, Jennifer Anyanti, Bright Ekweremadu, Olaronke Ladipo & Augustine Ankomah PhD (2011) Modelling level, trend and geographical variations in stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, SAHARA-J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS, 8:3, 115-127
ABSTRACT: People living with HIV and AIDS (PLHA) often face stigma and discrimination. Stigma is a powerful tool for social control and PLHA are to varying degrees stigmatised against. Consequences of stigma and discrimination against PLHA may result in low turn-out for HIV counselling and testing, identity crises, isolation, loneliness, low self-esteem and lack of interest in containing the disease. To achieve the millennium development goal on HIV reduction, efforts should be targeted at measuring impact of HIV preventive interventions. In this paper, effort was made to explore geographical variations in addition to level and trend of accepting attitude towards PLHA using 2003 – 2007 population-based household survey data. Inferences are based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo techniques, while model selection was based on Deviance Information Criteria. Findings revealed significant positive trend and spatial variations on level of accepting attitude towards PLHA. Level of exposure to HIV prevention interventions and perceptions about social support received on HIV are significantly associated with accepting attitude towards PLHA. Findings provide policy makers with tools to discern states where prevention efforts on HIV-related stigma and discrimination should be intensified. This in turn, can enhance an effective utilization of scarce resources that is paramount in developing countries.
Religion, culture and male involvement in the use of the Standard Days Method: evidence from Enugu and Katsina states of Nigeria. UJUJU C., ANYANTI J., ADEBAYO S.B., MUHAMMAD F., OLUIGBO O. & GOFWAN A. (2011) Religion, culture and male involvement in the use of the Standard Days Method: evidence from Enugu and Katsina states of Nigeria. International Nursing Review 58, 484–490
ABSTRACT: Potential users of FP often do not use modern methods if its practice is in dissonance with cultural and religious values. Increasing FP options through the introduction of effective natural methods is important, as it will ensure that FP providers, particularly nurses, can provide appropriate non?hormonal methods to women who are interested in their use. This will bring about an increased contraceptive prevalence in countries with strong religious barriers to modern FP methods.
Geoadditive latent variable modeling of count data on multiple sexual partnering in Nigeria. Adebayo SB, Fahrmeir L, Seiler C, Heumann C. Geoadditive latent variable modeling of count data on multiple sexual partnering in Nigeria. (2011).
ABSTRACT: The 2005 National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey (NARHS) in Nigeria provides evidence that multiple sexual partnering increases the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, partner reduction is one of the prevention strategies to accomplish the Millennium Development Goal of halting and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS. We consider the numbers of girlfriends, casual, and commercial partners of heterosexual men, reported in the NARHS study, as observed indicators of their latent attitude toward multiple partnering. To explore the influence of risk factors on this latent variable, we extend semiparametric methodology for latent variable models with continuous and categorical indicators to include count indicators. This allows us to simultaneously analyze linear and nonlinear effects of covariates, such as sociodemographic factors and knowledge about HIV/AIDS, on attitude toward multiple sexual partnering, which in turn influences the observable count indicators. The results provide insights for policy makers who are aiming to reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS among the Nigerian populace through partner reduction.