Unizik Journal of Gender Research

Role of Child Support Policies in Mitigating Child Abuse in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria

Thelma Chidera Egbochue — 2024-11-11

This study explored the Role of child support policies in mitigating child abuse in Lagos Mainland L.G.A, Lagos State Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to explore prevalence of child support policies curbing child abuse, identify the major causes of child abuse, find out the impact of child support policies in mitigating child abuse, and proffer solutions towards improving child support policies that could mitigate child abuse in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State. The study adopted structural-functionalism and symbolic interactionism as the theoretical framework upon which this study is hinged. Mixed method research design was employed as sampling techniques for this study. The population of the study is 317, 980 residents, out of which a sample size of 204 respondents were generated using Taro Yamane (1967) statistical formula. Multi-stage sampling techniques were adopted in selecting the respondents. The instruments for data collection were a structured Questionnaire and In-Depth Interview (IDI) guides. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistic and the results were presented in simple percentages, charts and frequency distribution tables. The study hypotheses were tested using Chi-square (X²) inferential statistics. The data collected from the IDI were analyzed thematically using Nvivo (version 2.1) software. The study found that child support policies are highly effective in curbing child abuse in Lagos Mainland LGA. The study also found that child support policies are yet to gain adequate enforcement/implementation in some suburban areas of Lagos Mainland LGA. The study therefore recommends among other things, that the child abuse can be minimized by increasing public awareness about child support policies in Lagos Mainland LGA, Lagos State.

Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Female Criminality in Nigeria

Henry Ebuka Anaekwe — 2024-11-11

Crime is inevitable and over the years, Nigeria has witnessed a surge in criminal activities involving both women and youths. This paper examined socio-economic factors influencing female criminality in Nigeria, the effect it has on the society and the possible ways to curtail this menace. Female criminality refers to those kinds of crime committed by females. The study adopted the general strain theory and social learning theory as framework in explaining the reasons for female involvement in crime. Both theories explained why females resort to unconventional means to achieve financial success. It was deduced that there are quite a number of socio-economic factors which influence female criminality in Nigeria and they include unemployment, poverty, drug use, lack of education and prerequisite skills. It also stated that there are lots of adverse consequences female criminality has on Nigeria as a society which is the fact that it poses a danger to the socialization process as women are at the fore front of socialization in every society. This paper strongly recommends that proper parenting as well as acquisition of various relevant skills should be prioritized as it provides an alternative in the absence of employment in Nigeria. Also, the different ways in which women are marginalized and discriminated against should be addressed as equal opportunity irrespective of gender will help in curbing the need for females to turn to crime as a coping strategy.

Relationship Between Perceived Social Stigma and Relapse Risk

Lucy Amaka Odidika — 2024-11-11

The study investigated the relationship between perceived social stigma and relapse risk: The moderating role of perceived social support social support. The study was guided by three hypotheses The participants in the study were sixty-five (65): 22 (33.85%) inpatients and 43 (66.15%) out-patients Nicotine dependent patients in Neuropsychiatric hospital Nawfia, situated in Anambra state. The ages of the participants ranged from 18 to 42 years, with a mean age of 22.35 years and a standard deviation of 6.34. Three instruments were used for data collection in this study. They included the multi-dimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) (1988), the perceived stigma of substance abuse scale (PSAS), and the stimulant relapse risk scale (SRRS). The design adopted for this study was a correlation. Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient and Conditional process for moderated multiple regression were used as the appropriate statistical tools to establish the relationship among the variables and the moderating effects of the moderator in the relationship respectively. The result proved that there was a significant as well as positive correlation between perceived social stigma and relapse risk among Nicotine dependent patients at r = .23, p <.05. Thus, hypothesis 1 was accepted. There was also a significant but negative correlation between perceived social support and relapse risk among Nicotine dependent patients at r = .11, p <.05. Thus, hypothesis 2 was as well, accepted. Similarly, B showed that perceived social support had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between perceived social stigma and relapse risk among Nicotine dependent patients β = .52, p =.98. The study therefore recommended that perceived social stigma directly may contribute to a decrease in relapse risk by fostering a more supportive and inclusive environment for individuals seeking to overcome nicotine dependence.

Newspaper Coverage of Intimate Partner Violence Against Men in Nigeria

Chioma Ifeoma Agbasimelo — 2024-11-11

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a pervasive and deadly occurrence, with millions of men, being assaulted by their partners during their lifespan. Despite its prevalence in Nigeria, this phenomenon appears largely underreported in the media, a situation that may undermine its public visibility. Against this backdrop, this study examined newspaper coverage of IPV against men in Nigeria, exploring the frequency, dominant themes, prominence, and framing in the coverage. The study was situated within the framework of the Agenda Setting and Framing theories. Adopting the content analysis method, the researcher selected 164 editions of Vanguard and The Guardian newspapers. A coding sheet was designed for data collection while data analysis was done employing descriptive statistics (simple percentages). Findings revealed a significant lack of coverage of IPV against men within the study period. However, IPV against men received prominent coverage within the period based on page placement. In reporting IPV against men, the newspapers paid most attention to “victim blame” “stereotyping”, and “stigmatization”. Results also showed that the most common types of IPV suffered by men as reported in the two newspapers were “physical violence’’ and “sexual violence’’ as against “emotional violence”. The study concluded that the newspapers’ lack of adequate coverage of IPV against men may have the effect of perpetuating the current practice where societal discourse and policy response regarding IPV lay emphasis almost solely on female victims to the exclusion of their male counterparts. The study recommended among others that newspaper should adopt gender-inclusive reporting practices that recognize IPV against men as a significant social problem.

Gender Dynamic in Conflict Prevention, Management and Peacebuilding in Anambra State

Constance Oby Ifenweobi — 2024-11-11

The importance of women inclusion in peace processes and development is seen to be beneficial in climes where they are allowed to express their bitter experiences during times of conflicts and engage in fashioning strategies to prevent conflict from re-occurring. Low involvement of women at all levels of peace and security pursuits in Nigeria is a subject of discourse in scholarship. This study analyzed gender dynamics in conflict prevention, management and peacebuilding in Anambra State. The source of data was from secondary materials such as journals and internet resources. It was found that the level of women inclusion in both decision making and grassroots peace-building process is minimal in Anambra State. This is because women are rarely included in the design and implementation of peace programmes such as reconciliation, societal reconstruction, rehabilitation, and empowerment of conflict induced displaced persons in the State. Therefore, the study recommends that the stakeholders in Anambra State, should recognize the United Nations Resolution 1325 (2000), and entrench women in all peacebuilding processes of the State. It is also recommended that gender inclusivity should be made a compulsory subject in both primary and secondary schools in Nigeria, to instill the culture of gender inclusivity in the country.

Knowledge and Prevalence Contraceptive Utilization amongst In-School Adolescents in Anambra State

Nkeiruka Hope Nwode — 2024-11-11

Knowledge and prevalence of contraceptive utilization among in-school adolescents in Nigeria is a critical area of concern for public and reproductive health. While awareness of contraceptives is relatively high among adolescents, requisite knowledge is poor and actual utilization remains low. This paper therefore investigated knowledge and prevalence of contraceptive utilization amongst in-school adolescents in Anambra State. The Health Belief Model and the Social Cognitive Theory formed the theoretical frame for this paper. The paper adopted the mixed methods research design. The sample size for the quantitative component of the study was 613 respondents statistically derived and randomly selected using the multistage sampling procedure. The instrument for collection of quantitative data was structured questionnaire, whereas the In Depth Interview Guide (IDI) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were used for qualitative components of the study. The quantitative data were processed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and analysed using descriptive statistics such as the frequency counts, simple percentages and charts. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis method with illustrative quotes. The findings show that the utilization of contraceptives amongst in-school adolescents was low and irregular amongst the respondents. The factors for the low utilization of contraceptives included among others, lack of knowledge about contraceptives, afraid of being seen by parents, embarrassment of buying contraceptives and partner disapproval. Based on these findings, introduction of reproductive health education in school curriculum in Nigeria was recommended to help improve knowledge and enhance contraceptive utilization amongst in-school adolescents in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychoeducation on Reduction of Anxiety among Diabetes Mellitus Patients at Federal Medical Center Umuahia, Nigeria

Anulika Onyinyechukwu Nnadozie — 2024-11-11

This study examined the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychoeducation on reduction of anxiety symptoms among diabetes mellitus patient in Federal Medical Center Umuahia Abia State. Twenty-seven (27) diabetes anxiety patients whose ages ranged from 43-74 years with mean age 57.3 and standard deviation 9.6 participated in the study. The participants were grouped into three: Group A. (the control group) B. (CBT) and C. (psychoeducation.) Simple random samplings were used to place participant to the groups. The therapy session lasted for four weeks; three sessions per week each session lasted for 60 minutes. The participants were assessed using State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), before and after the treatment. The study adopted a pretest and posttest between group design and the result were analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The first and second hypotheses were accepted at P <.05. Thus, participants who received CBT and psychoeducation intervention showed significant reduction in anxiety when compared to control group. Also, at F (3.2), p>.05 the third hypothesis which stated that CBT will reduce anxiety more when compared with psychoeducation was not accepted because it did not reach the significant level. Based on the finding, the researcher recommended that CBT and psychoeducation be employed in psychological treatment of diabetic patient with anxiety across different mental health settings.