Factors influencing adolescent pregnancies with intent for child trafficking in selected vulnerable communities in Nigeria: A qualitative exploration.

In accordance with the United Nations Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking, intentional adolescent pregnancies for the purpose of child trafficking are a grave violation of human rights, demonstrating egregious exploitation. This study examines the determinants of deliberate adolescent pregnancies aimed at selling newborns to child traffickers in Nigeria. Employing a qualitative design, purposive sampling was utilized to select 46 participants, including eight pregnant adolescent girls (aged 11 to 16), seven family members of the pregnant adolescents, six community leaders, and twenty-five community members. Semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used. Audio-recorded interviews were meticulously transcribed and translated from Ibibio to English by certified language experts to preserve meaning. Thematic analysis employed identified themes and sub-themes. Data underwent coding, categorization, and analysis using ATLAS.ti qualitative software. Determinant factors influencing deliberate pregnancies among adolescent girls for child trafficking include socioeconomic vulnerability, marital infertility, societal pressure, money rituals, criminal exploitation, limited education access, and inadequate legal protection. A holistic approach addressing socioeconomic disparities, cultural norms, criminal networks, legal protections, and education empowerment offers promise to eradicate buying and selling of babies. By confronting these factors, Nigeria can forge a safer, more equitable future for its adolescent girls.

Conformément aux Principes et lignes directrices recommandés par les Nations Unies sur les droits de l'homme et la traite des êtres humains, les grossesses intentionnelles d'adolescentes aux fins de traite d'enfants constituent une grave violation des droits de l'homme, démontrant une exploitation flagrante. Cette étude examine les déterminants des grossesses délibérées d'adolescentes visant à vendre des nouveau-nés à des trafiquants d'enfants au Nigeria. En utilisant une conception qualitative, un échantillonnage raisonné a été utilisé pour sélectionner 46 participants, dont huit adolescentes enceintes (âgées de 11 à 16 ans), sept membres de la famille des adolescentes enceintes, six dirigeants communautaires et vingt-cinq membres de la communauté. Des entretiens approfondis semi-structurés et des discussions de groupe ont été utilisés. Les entretiens enregistrés sur audio ont été méticuleusement transcrits et traduits de l'ibibio vers l'anglais par des experts linguistiques certifiés afin d'en préserver le sens. L'analyse thématique a utilisé des thèmes et sous-thèmes identifiés. Les données ont été codées, catégorisées et analysées à l'aide du logiciel qualitatif ATLAS.ti. Les facteurs déterminants qui influencent les grossesses délibérées chez les adolescentes aux fins de trafic d'enfants comprennent la vulnérabilité socio-économique, l'infertilité conjugale, la pression sociétale, les rituels financiers, l'exploitation criminelle, l'accès limité à l'éducation et une protection juridique inadéquate. Une approche holistique abordant les disparités socio-économiques, les normes culturelles, les réseaux criminels, les protections juridiques et l'autonomisation en matière d'éducation offre la promesse d'éradiquer l'achat et la vente de bébés. En faisant face à ces facteurs, le Nigeria peut forger un avenir plus sûr et plus équitable pour ses adolescentes.

Childbirth expectations and coping strategies of first-time mothers attending a comprehensive health centre in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Childbirth is a complex life event for every woman. Women will have positive experiences if their expectations are met during childbirth, unmet expectations can result in negative experience. This study assessed the knowledge, expectations and coping strategies used by first time mothers attending a Comprehensive Health Center in Ekiti State. The study adopted a qualitative research design and twenty individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. Purposive sampling technique was used and the sample size was determined by saturation of data. Interviews were analyzed using qualitative thematic content analysis. Findings revealed limited knowledge about labour as majority of the participants had no knowledge of labour signs and process. Also, almost all the women were not familiar with the various methods for relief from discomfort during labour and first-time mothers expect midwives to care for them throughout the labour process. This study emphasized the need for healthcare professionals to provide suitable comprehensive education on the process and signs of labor as well as the various methods of pain relief. Supportive networks should also be provided for women during prenatal clinics. Also, health care professionals should consider the needs of mothers and try as much as possible to provide holistic support.

Family planning method discontinuation among Nigerian women: Evidence from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018.

Objectives: The cessation of family planning among sexually active women who do not intend to have children increases the number of unplanned pregnancies and the risks to maternal health. This study examined the predictors of family planning method discontinuation among sexually active Nigerian women. Methods: Data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) were used. A total of 4553 women 15-49 years of age who had stopped using family planning methods in the previous 5 years were included in the study. Descriptive and binary logistic regression were used in the analysis. Results: More than 60% of the women sampled had stopped family planning and had no intention of having children. Respondents discontinued family planning because of adverse effects (15.2%) and method failure (12.9%). Predictors of modern family planning discontinuation were secondary education (OR = 1.302, 95% CI: 1.006-1.685), Islamic religion (OR = 1.281, 95% CI: 1.059-1.550), residence in the South-East geopolitical zone (OR = 0.248, 95% CI: 0.195-0.316), having three or more children (OR = 0.848, 95% CI: 0.735-0.978) and having paid employment (OR = 0.838, 95% CI: 0.715-0.982). Conclusion: Socio-economic and cultural factors influence discontinuation of family planning among Nigerian women. Policy options are needed to increase family planning uptake, identify common adverse effects of family planning and focus on raising public awareness regarding the negative consequences of discontinuing family planning on individuals, families and the nation.

Perceived stress and stressors among first-year undergraduate students at a private medical school in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: Medical training has long been globally recognised as involving numerous stressors that can affect the well-being of students. This study, the first to be conducted among first-year medical students at a private university in Nigeria, aims to identify factors associated with students' perceived stress. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional design was employed. A semi-structured pretested and validated questionnaire was administered to first-year medical students. The data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive and analytical statistics were presented as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. The chi-square test was also used to identify the associations between categorical variables. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents were females (72.2%) and Christians (85.8%). Sixty seven percent of the participants perceived medical school as being stressful. More females than males were stressed. Statistically, ethnicity and intrapersonal factors were correlated with perceived stress. CONCLUSION: In this study, the prevalence of perceived stress among first-year medical undergraduate students was high. Students should be prepared on how to cope with stress by developing coping strategies such as healthy lifestyle patterns, availing of social support, engaging in physical activity, and seeking counselling when needed.