scholarly journals POLYGYNY AND WOMEN'S HEALTH IN RURAL MALI

2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. BOVE ◽  
EMILY VALA-HAYNES ◽  
CLAUDIA VALEGGIA
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Women’S Health ◽  
Women's Health ◽  
Social Power ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

SummaryWomen's social networks and social power are increasingly seen as important factors modulating their health in sub-Saharan Africa. Polygyny, a common marital structure in many societies, mediates important intra-household relationships by requiring both competition and co-operation among co-wives. Using mixed methods, semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 298 women aged 15–84 living in the Kolondiéba region of rural Mali in 1999, and supplemented by detailed interviews with 40 women. Three categories of outcome were explored: illness experience, therapeutic itinerary and social support received. Quantitative data were analysed using regression analysis and qualitative data using a grounded theory approach. In quantitative analyses, controlling for age and household wealth index, senior wives were less likely to be escorted to a healer by their husbands during illness than were junior wives or monogamous women. Polygynous women were also less likely to obtain a treatment for which there was a monetary fee. Fewer than one-third of polygynous women reported the assistance of a co-wife during illness in any given task. In qualitative analyses, women further related varied mechanisms through which polygyny impacted their health trajectories. These ranged from strongly supportive relationships, to jealousy because of unequal health or fertility, bias in emotional and material support provided by husbands, and accusations of wrong-doing and witchcraft. This study highlights the need for more prospective mixed methods analyses to further clarify the impact of polygyny on women's health-related experiences and behaviours in sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals 438 - Nigerian women are more susceptible to the impact of diabetes-and-dementia: State-of-art, Future perspectives and Directions

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 156-156
Author(s):  
L Giménez-Llort ◽  
EK Oghagbon ◽  
F Dogo ◽  
M Ogiator ◽  
J Prieto-Pino
Keyword(s):  
Women’S Health ◽  
Women's Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
African Ancestry ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Nigerian Women ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

Among the preventable complications of diseases that require urgent effective health literacy programs in sub-Saharan Africa, crosstalk between diabetes and dementia stands out for women's health. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) in midlife is a recognised risk factor for dementia. This crosstalk is more significant in persons of African ancestry. Globally, the prevalence of DM will increase dramatically in the next few years with 75% of cases living in low-to-middle-income countries. Some major risk factors for DM2 accelerates the development of dementia in Africa-Americans, thus leading to higher prevalence of dementia compared to Caucasians. It is known that 58% of the global 46.8 million dementia subjects lives in economically developing countries. This proportion may reach 63% and 68% in 12 and 32 years' time, respectively. Females are 1.5 times likely to develop dementia, but sub-Saharan Africa women have a disproportionately two-to-eight fold increased dementia risk. In the eye of this storm is Nigeria which is home to the highest number of diabetics in Africa. Diabetes prevalence in the country is rising parallel to increased incidence of obesity, hypertension and rising population age. The socioeconomic impact of increasing prevalence of DM2 and dementia will be unsustainable for Nigeria healthcare system, given the experiences in developed economies. This study analyses the current situation of women's health in Nigeria, and explore future policy directions. The complex interplay of factors involved in the DM2-dementia crosstalk in Nigerian women include those due to biological processes (metabolic syndrome, vascular damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance and anaemia), nutritional habits and sedentary lifestyles. Other factors that predisposes Nigerian diabetic women to dementia are, restricted resources, lack of visibility and poor health management. They add up to increase the burden of disease in the Nigerian woman, irrespective of age. We advise urgent implementation of heath policies and actions that will increase ratio of mental health professionals / number of patients, especially in rural areas and the establishment of proactive primary healthcare centres. Importantly, interventions targeting adolescents and adult women, and others specific to mother- child interactions, are strongly needed in Nigeria and the sub-region for mitigating dementia in women.

scholarly journals The Impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) on Women’s Health and Wellbeing in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): A Case Study of Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2180
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Ochola ◽  
Susan J. Elliott ◽  
Diana M. S. Karanja
Keyword(s):  
Women’S Health ◽  
Women's Health ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Gender Dynamics ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) trap individuals in a cycle of poverty through their devastating effects on health, wellbeing and social–economic capabilities that extend to other axes of inequity such as gender and/or ethnicity. Despite NTDs being regarded as equity tracers, little attention has been paid toward gender dynamics and relationships for gender-equitable access to NTD programs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This paper examines the impact of NTDs on women’s health and wellbeing in SSA using Kenya as a case study. This research is part of a larger research program designed to examine the impact of NTDs on the health and wellbeing of populations in Kenya. Thematic analysis of key informants’ interviews (n = 21) and focus groups (n = 5) reveals first that NTDs disproportionately affect women and girls due to their assigned gender roles and responsibilities. Second, women face financial and time constraints when accessing health care due to diminished economic power and autonomy. Third, women suffer more from the related social consequences of NTDs (that is, stigma, discrimination and/or abandonment), which affects their health-seeking behavior. As such, we strongly suggest a gender lens when addressing NTD specific exposure, socio-economic inequities, and other gender dynamics that may hinder the successful delivery of NTD programs at the local and national levels.

TIMING OF SEXUAL DEBUT AMONG UNMARRIED YOUTHS AGED 15–24 YEARS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Amo-Adjei ◽  
Derek Anamaale Tuoyire
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Sexual Debut ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Female Headed Households ◽  
The Impact

SummaryThis study aimed to contribute to the evidence on the timing of sexual debut in young people in sub-Saharan African countries. Data were extracted from 34 nationally representative surveys conducted in the region between 2006 and 2014. The study sample comprised unmarried women (n=167,932) and men (n=76,900) aged 15–24 years. Descriptive techniques and Cox proportional regression models were used to estimate the timing of sexual debut, and Kaplan–Meier hazard curves were used to describe the patterns of sexual debut in each country by sex. For the countries studied, sexual debut for both women and men occurred between the ages of 15 and 18 years, with median ages of 16 for women and 17 for men. Overall, education and household wealth provided significant protection against early sexual debut among women, but the reverse was found among men for wealth. Women in rural areas, in female-headed households and in Central, South and West Africa reported higher hazards of early commencement of sexual activity than their counterparts in urban, male-headed households and East Africa. However, the impact of these variables on male sexual debut did not follow a consistent pattern. Varied timing, as well as country-specific risk factors associated with sexual debut for young women and men across sub-Saharan Africa, were identified. Sexual health programmes and interventions for young people may require different approaches for young women and men.

scholarly journals Determinants of Home Delivery among Mothers in Abobo District, Gambella Region, Ethiopia: A Case Control Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Asmelash Abera Mitiku ◽  
Abraham Lomboro Dimore ◽  
Solomon Berhanu Mogas
Keyword(s):  
Formal Education ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Home Delivery ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Care Visit ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Control Study

Introduction. Home delivery is one of the major reasons for high maternal mortality ratio in sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia together contribute over 85% of maternal deaths, of which, only half of deliveries are institutional. However, data are scarce on the availability of information with regard to the determinant factors for this high prevalence of home delivery in the study area. Objective. This study is aimed at determining factors associated with home delivery, among mothers in Abobo Woreda, Gambella region, Southwest Ethiopia, 2019. Methods. A case control study conducted from 12 March 2019 up to 2 April 2019 on 88 cases and 176 controls. Cases include mothers who gave birth at home and those mothers who gave birth at health facility in the last one year preceding the study included as controls. Data entry was made using Epi-Data version 3.1, and analysis was made using SPSS version 20. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess candidate variables and subsequently a multivariable regression to determine the statistical associations. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to determine strength of association, and p value <0.05 was used to establish significant associations. Results. No formal education (AOR: 5.07; 95% CI: 2.18-11.50), poor knowledge on obstetric complications (AOR: 3.83; 95% CI: 1.98-7.40), negative attitude towards delivery service (AOR: 3.25; 95% CI: 1.70-6.19), poor household wealth index (AOR: 4.55; 95% CI: 2.01-10.31), and no antenatal care visit (AOR: 3.29; 95% CI: 1.63-6.63) were found to be significantly associated with home delivery. Conclusions. The findings do support that no formal education, poor knowledge on obstetric complications, negative attitude towards delivery service, poor household wealth index, and no antenatal care visit showed a significant association with home delivery.

Fulbright Scholar opportunities for global health and women's health care in HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrice K. Nicholas ◽  
Oluyinka Adejumo ◽  
Kathleen M. Nokes ◽  
Busisiwe P. Ncama ◽  
Busisiwe R. Bhengu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Women’S Health ◽  
Women's Health ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Women's Health Care ◽  
Fulbright Scholar ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Hiv Aids

scholarly journals Analysis of Non-Marital Fertility in Nigeria and Implications for Intervention and Future Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 256
Author(s):  
Oluwatobi Abel Alawode
Keyword(s):  
Marital Fertility ◽  
Sexual Debut ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Poor Women ◽  
Region Of Residence ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Using Data

Fertility and marriage are inextricably linked in sub-Saharan Africa, but recent changes, such as the rise in non-marital fertility, signals a weakening link, and the second demographic transition offers some explanations. Non-marital fertility comes with disadvantages, but it has not been adequately studied in Nigeria. Hence, this study examined the levels, patterns, and correlates of non-marital fertility, and offers implications for interventions and future research. Using data from the Nigeria Demographic and Survey 2008–2018, with a pooled weighted sample size of 11,925 unmarried women, percentage distribution was employed and a two-part model for count data was fitted, with the result showing that the level of non-marital fertility is 29%, and it is common among younger, rural dwelling, and uneducated unmarried women. The correlates of non-marital fertility include age, region of residence, level of education, religion, household wealth index, relationship status, ethnicity, work status, and age at sexual debut. Interventions to arrest rise of non-martial fertility due to its obvious disadvantages, should strengthen sexual and reproductive health programs for unmarried rural-dwelling young women, and revitalize welfare efforts for children born outside wedlock, for poor women, while future research should explore an in-depth understanding of non-marital births.

scholarly journals Improving maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes through a community-based women’s health education program (Chamas for Change): a cluster randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Y. Maldonado ◽  
Jeffrey Bone ◽  
Michael L. Scanlon ◽  
Gertrude Anusu ◽  
Sheilah Chelagat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Women’S Health ◽  
Women's Health ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
List Type ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Sub Saharan

ABSTRACTIntroductionCommunity-based women’s health education groups may improve maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH); however, evidence from sub-Saharan Africa is lacking. Chamas for Change (Chamas) is a community health volunteer (CHV)-led health education program for pregnant and postpartum women in western Kenya. We evaluated Chamas’ effect on facility-based deliveries and other MNCH outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial involving 74 communities in Trans Nzoia County. We included pregnant women who presented to health facilities for their first antenatal care visits by 32 weeks gestation. We randomized community clusters 1:1 without stratification or matching; we masked data collectors, investigators, and analysts to allocation. Intervention clusters were invited to bimonthly, group-based, CHV-led health lessons (Chamas); control clusters had monthly CHV home-visits (standard of care). The primary outcome was facility-based delivery at 12-months follow-up. We conducted an intention-to-treat approach with multilevel logistic regression models using individual-level data. We prospectively registered this trial with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03187873).ResultsBetween November 27, 2017 and March 8, 2018, we enrolled 1920 participants from 37 intervention and 37 control clusters. A total of 1550 (80.7%) participants completed the study with 822 (82.5%) and 728 (78.8%) in the intervention and control arms, respectively. Facility-based deliveries improved in the intervention arm (80.9% vs 73.0%; Risk Difference (RD) 7.4%, 95% CI 3.0-12.5, OR=1.58, 95% CI 0.97-2.55, p=0.057). Chamas participants also demonstrated higher rates of 48-hour postpartum visits (RD 15.3%, 95% CI 12.0-19.6), exclusive breastfeeding (RD 11.9%, 95% CI 7.2-16.9), contraceptive adoption (RD 7.2%, 95% CI 2.6-12.9), and infant immunization completion (RD 15.6%, 95% CI 11.5-20.9).ConclusionChamas participation was associated with significantly improved MNCH outcomes compared with the standard of care. This trial contributes robust data from sub-Saharan Africa to support community-based, women’s health education groups for MNCH in resource-limited settings.KEY QUESTIONSWhat is already known?Globally, maternal and infant deaths have declined over the last three decades; however, low and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Kenya, still disproportionately incur the highest morbidity and mortality.The World Health Organization recommends leveraging lay health workers (LHWs), including community health volunteers (CHVs), to promote maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) in resource-limited settings.Prior research suggests coupling strategies that promote community-based approaches (i.e. integrating LHWs) and women’s health education and support groups during pregnancy and postpartum may improve MNCH; however, robust evidence from sub-Saharan Africa is lacking.What are the new findings?Using a cluster randomized controlled trial design, we found that participation in Chamas for Change (Chamas) – a group-based women’s health education program led by CHVs – was associated with significantly improved MNCH outcomes, including facility-based deliveries, compared with the standard of care (i.e. monthly home-visits) in rural Kenya.This trial also demonstrated significant associations between program participation and receiving 48 hour postpartum home-visits, breastfeeding exclusively, adopting a contraceptive method postpartum, and immunizing infants fully by 12 months of life as compared to the standard of care.These findings support pilot data from a preceding evaluation of the Chamas program as well as the current literature on community-based interventions delivered by LHWs to promote MNCH in other resource-limited settings.What do the new findings imply?Effective community-based strategies that build upon existing infrastructure to promote MNCH are needed to continue to improve the health and well-being of women and infants in rural sub-Saharan Africa and other LMICs.Chamas offers an innovative approach to improve MNCH in resource-limited settings with significant health policy implications; collective evidence from this trial and preceding studies support community-based women’s health education groups as an effective strategy for improving uptake of facility-based deliveries and other life-saving MNCH practices.

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