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Uterine fibroid has been identified as one of the most prevailing health challenges among African women. Previous studies focused on the prevalence and prevention of fibroid among women in general, especially with regards to the biomedical science perspective. However, little attention has been given to social dimension of this medical condition particularly among Celibate-women. This study therefore investigated the prevalence and prevention of fibroid among Celibate-women, in the Catholic Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan, Nigeria. The Data collection technique was triangulated, hence 375 questionnaires were administered on the Celibate-women through a total population sampling technique while key informant interview were conducted for 28 purposively selected respondents. Findings revealed a prevalence rate of 48.0% among the Celibate-women. No specific preventive measure against fibroid was reported; however 48.3% reported that they would have preferred traditional preventive medicine, while 35.2% indicated preference for orthodox medicine. There is high prevalence of fibroid among Celibate-women and its prevention is characterized by uncertainties among this group of women in the Catholic Ecclesiastical province of Ibadan. There is need to sensitize Celibate-women on the risk of fibroid.

There is a prevalence of high fertility among the Mbaise of Imo State, Nigeria. This is linked to the perceptions, beliefs and practices of the people. The voluntaristic social action theory by Talcott Parsons and Proximate determinants of fertility framework by Bongaarts were utilized to highlight the links between Catholicism and fertility, as well as socio-cultural variables and fertility behaviour by showing strength of their separate and combined relationships. Data were gathered through survey questionnaire and in-depth interview. The findings from the study show that the factors affecting fertility among the Mbaise include communal and individual norms and practices, and their persistent influence signal a need to investigate their separate and combined influences on fertility behaviour. Specific findings were that: (1) Roman Catholicism is a factor responsible for the perceived high fertility among Mbaise people, (2) Roman Catholic fertility practices conform to the socio-cultural environment in the area (3) knowledge of contraceptives use is significantly low among the people of Mbaise. The negligible proportion that has used family planning methods did so for child spacing rather than for limiting fertility.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have been agitating for their self determination since 2012. And the arrest and extradition of their supreme leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya heightened insecurity in South-East. IPOB initiated sit-at home order in South-East to create awareness locally and internationally in their bid to securing the release of their leader. The sit-at-home order has adverse socioeconomic consequences as it was later hijacked by hoodlums who committed havoc in the region. This study examined the socio-economic implications of IPOB’s sit-at-home order in South-East, Nigeria. The study adopted social contract theory as framework, whereas descriptive design was employed. Purposive sampling technique was utilized with a sample of thirty-six interviewees, thirty In-depth interviews and six Key informants selected from market leaders, religious leaders and school principals. Qualitative data were content analyzed with the aid of Nvivo software. IPOB’s sit-athome order in South-East Nigeria has great negative socio-economic implications on the people of the area. South-East economy was highly devastated. Foreign investments were eluded, insecurity, unemployment and underdevelopment became the order of the day as hoodlums hijacked the protest and committed series of atrocities in the region, hence the decline in economic activities, standard of education and high mortality rate. There is great need for dialogue geared towards securing the release of IPOB leader from detention so as to halt further devastating socio-economic effects of the sit-at-home order in South-East region.

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