Prevalence and Preventive Measures for Fibroid Among Celibate-Women in South-Western, Nigeria

Abstract

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.

Spousal Support during Pregnancy in the Nigerian Rural Context

“…thus both partners are grossly involved. The husbands in the rural communities in South-western Nigeria have proven that irrespective of the power bestowed on them by their patriarchal heritage [11,30], there is still need to support their wives especially during pregnancy. This could also be because of the close family bond in the rural areas.…”

“…At least, one in every thirteen Nigerian woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth, and this is more prevalent in the rural population, where there are less health facilities [9,4]. More so because the decisions on the kind of health facilities to consult even during pregnancy mostly rests on the male counterparts, especially husbands [10,11] The prevailing patriarchal system in rural areas explains this. Currently, 48.8 percent of the population of Nigeria is rural (99,027,063 people in 2020), among whom about 45 per cent are women [12].…”

“…This may have implications on the health seeking behaviour of the woman, especially as husbands reserve the economic power in decisions about healthcare of a wife. This is often prevalent in the rural societies where women are predominantly economically dependent on their spouses [10,11,20]. A study conducted in Mali con rmed that men are traditionally socialized to be superior in family decision making as they reserve the duty of providing nancial support to the family [21].…”

Spousal support during pregnancy in the Nigerian rural context: a mixed methods study

“…At least, one in every thirteen Nigerian woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth, and this is more prevalent in the rural population, where there are fewer health facilities [ 3 , 8 ]. More so because the decisions on the kind of health facilities to consult even during pregnancy mostly rest on the male counterparts, especially husbands [ 9 , 10 ] The prevailing patriarchal system in rural areas explains this. Currently, 48.8% of the population of Nigeria is rural (99,027,063 people in 2020), among whom about 45% are women [ 11 ].…”

“…This may have implications on the health-seeking behaviour of the woman, especially as husbands reserve the economic power in decisions about the healthcare of a wife. This is often prevalent in rural societies where women are predominantly economically dependent on their spouses [ 9 , 10 , 19 ]. A study conducted in Mali confirmed that men are traditionally socialized to be superior in family decision-making as they reserve the duty of providing financial support to the family [ 20 ].…”