The Impacts of Spirituality and Religious Participation on the Emotional Well-Being of Widowed Older Adults in Southeast Nigeria.

Background and Objectives: The population of older individuals in Africa is increasing, and at a rapid rate. Although the numbers of these individuals increase, many African countries, including Nigeria, are devoid of state-sponsored welfare systems that address their well-being. This situation has placed the bulk of support on the family members including spouses. Studies have shown that spouses are considered to be veritable sources of support in later life. However, spousal death tends to reduce the perceived support including emotional support, which usually occasions lower well-being, life dissatisfaction, and higher mortality rates. This study ascertains the impact of spirituality/religious participation on the emotional well-being of widowed older adults. Research Design and Methods: The study was conducted in Enugu State, southeast Nigeria. The study implemented a qualitative approach to collect data from 71 widowed older adults, aged 60 and older. The thematic analytical method was used to analyze the generated data. Results: Participating in spiritual/religious activities like prayers, church programs/activities reading, studying, and meditating on the word of God have enabled the widowed older adults to buffer some of the emotional challenges. Discussion and Implications: Older adults should be encouraged to participate in spiritual and religious activities. Religious leaders should also make every effort to organize activities that will address the emotional needs of these individuals.

Socio-economic status of women and fertility outcome in Benue State, North-Central, Nigeria.

Nigeria still records high fertility despite launching programs to reduce fertility rate. We therefore surveyed the influence of socio-economic status of women on their fertility outcome in Benue State, North-Central, Nigeria. Data from 1049 childbearing women were collected using questionnaires. The data were analyzed using logistic regression and chi-square statistics. Significant relationship exists between education, income, occupation, age, marital status and fertility outcome at p < .05. To achieve global health development and be amongst the best performers in global quality of life measures, women's empowerment programs are encouraged to enhance their autonomy in decision making with reference to reproduction.

"They will only remember us during elections": The culture of government support to Nigerian older adults and policy implications.

Governments are obliged to ensure the healthy living, well-being, and life satisfaction of every citizen. This, however, has not been achieved in Nigeria, especially with regard to older adults. Despite the notable shift in the country's demographic stance, few studies have investigated the government's roles in addressing the support to Nigerian older adults given that inadequate support is a risk factor for general poor health conditions and high mortality rates. This study, therefore, sought to investigate views on available government support to older adults in Nnewi, South-East Nigeria. Focus Group Discussion and In-depth interviews were adopted to collect data from older adults. The generated data were subjected to a thematic method of analysis. Findings show that Nigerian older adults are usually remembered during political activities, such as electioneering and election. However, the support is not all-inclusive but reserved for those who could actively participate in these political activities. To achieve the African Union and the 2030 global agenda's commitment to "leave no one behind," the study recommends social policies that address all-inclusive support and care for Nigeria older adults. Social workers' intervention will also be crucial to facilitate the formulation and implementation of welfare policies and programmes for the support and well-being of older adults.

Perception and Practice of Cervical Cancer Screening Services and the Role of Social Workers in Facilitating Screening Uptake in Enugu State, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the perception and practice of cervical cancer screening among women in Enugu State, Nigeria. METHODS: We employed mixed methods and conveniently sampled women aged >15 years. The quantitative data were subjected to chi-square and regression analysis while the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The study findings show that over 57% of the respondents have a positive perception of cervical cancer screening while over 80% revealed that they practice cervical cancer screening. Factors such as education, income, and residence are significant in predicting the practice of cervical cancer screening. CONCLUSION: Therefore, social work strategies to leverage these modifiable predictors in facilitating cervical screening uptake are recommended.

It Is a Hoax: Attitude of South-eastern Nigerian Toward COVID-19 and Vaccine: The Need for Social Workers.

Different behavioral shifts have been observed among the country's population against the COVID-19 pandemic since its emergence in February 2020 in Nigeria. At first, people were scared of the pandemic and this was reinforced by their response to the National Center for Disease Control measures. As days go by and with the increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria. To reduce the high burden of the pandemic, efforts were made by scientists to produce the COVID-19 vaccine, and Nigeria received about 4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in 2021. Thus, it becomes important to investigate the attitude of Nigerians toward COVID-19 and vaccination against COVID-19. To conduct this study, data were sourced using six focus group discussions involving 30 males and females, respectively. Findings revealed that Nigerians have lackadaisical attitude toward COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine owing to insincerity on the part of the government, poverty, belief system, low-level of awareness among others. To change the negative attitude of Nigerians toward COVID-19 and the vaccine, social worker interventions are recommended.

Gender differences in family support to older adults and implications for social work in south-east Nigeria.

The increase in the number of older adults in Nigeria is a significant demographic trend, requiring adequate and sustainable attention. Usually, these older adults depend on family members for support due to increasing frailty and/or disengagement from the civil service or other income-earning pursuits. Studies that depict differences in gender vis a vis access to social support from family networks are limited. This study will attempt to contribute to filling this gap. Four focus group discussions and 16 in-depth interviews were conducted on a sample of (N = 56) older adults aged 70 years and above and their 23 to 46 year old family carers. The generated data were analysed in themes. Findings revealed no differences in access to health support by gender; however, females received more financial, emotional as well as material support, and were more involved in social activities than their male counterparts. This study will facilitate a better understanding of gender differences in social support for older adults in Nigeria. This could, in turn, inform inclusive social policies guided by social workers which have greater focus on the needs of older adults.

Factors affecting the utilization of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services in Anambra South, Nigeria

Background: In spite huge leaps in combating the spread and transmission of HIV globally, Nigeria still ranks high in the incidence of HIV among children. The study investigates the factors affecting the utilization of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services in Anambra South. Data source and Method: Data from 515 HIV positive women of child bearing age were collected using a structured questionnaire. The data sets were subjected to chi square and binary logistic regression analysis. Result: The results show that 86% of the respondents were aware of the PMTCT strategies while marital status (69.8%), age (70.7%) and place of residence (52.1%) were found to affect the uptake and utilization of PMTCT services. Conclusion: Evidence from the study drew attention to the need for government, social workers and healthcare providers to rise to their responsibilities in encouraging HIV women of reproductive age to utilize PMTCT services in order to achieve African Union Agenda 3

Knowledge of public health challenge of open defecation in rural areas of South-East Nigeria: Implications for social workers

Background: Practice of open defection has growing health concerns especially on rural dwellers and is among leading causes of diarrhea, typhoid fever, cholera, stunting and responsible for the death of children under 5 years in Nigeria. This study seeks to examine knowledge of public health challenges of open defecation among rural residents in south-east Nigeria and implications for social work. Data source and methods: Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were used for data collected from 52 respondents in Nsukka and Udenu LGAs of Enugu State. Thematic analysis was adopted and phrases with contextual connotations were pulled as illustrative quotes. Results: Lack of toilet facilities makes community members engage in the practice despite knowledge of its public health implications. Conclusions: The study recommends strengthening of government's efforts to eradicate the practice; incorporating social workers as facilitators in public health regulations and advocacy in sensitising households to provide their own toilets