scholarly journals “Kunika women are always sick”: Views from community focus groups on short birth interval (kunika) in Bauchi State, Northern Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umaira Ansari ◽  
Juan Pimentel ◽  
Khalid Omer ◽  
Yagana Gidado ◽  
Muhd Chadi Baba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Birth Interval ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Northern Nigeria ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
North East ◽  
Short Birth Interval ◽  
Child Spacing

Abstract Background : In Northern Nigeria, short birth interval is common; the word kunika in the Hausa language describes a woman becoming pregnant before weaning her last child. A sizeable literature confirms an association between short birth interval and adverse perinatal and maternal health outcomes. Yet there are few reported studies about how people view short birth interval and its consequences. In support of culturally safe child spacing in Bauchi State, in North East Nigeria, we explored local perspectives about kunika and its consequences. Methods : A qualitative descriptive study included 12 gender-segregated focus groups facilitated by local men and women in six communities from the Toro Local Government Area in Bauchi State. Facilitators conducted the groups in the Hausa language and translated the reports of the discussions into English. After an inductive thematic analysis, the local research team reviewed and agreed the themes in a member-checking exercise.Results : Some 49 women and 48 men participated in the 12 focus groups, with an average of eight people in each group. All participants were married with ages ranging from 15-45 years. They explained their understanding of kunika, often in terms of pregnancy while breastfeeding. They described many disadvantages of kunika, including health complications for the mother and children, economic consequences, and adverse impact on men’s health and family dynamics. The groups concluded that some people still practise kunika, either intentionally (for example, in order to increase family size or because of competition between co-wives) or unintentionally (for example, because of frequent unprotected sex), and explained the roles of men and women in this. Conclusion : Men and women in our study had a clear understanding of the concept of kunika. They recognized many adverse consequences of kunika beyond the narrow health concerns reported in quantitative studies. Their highlighted impacts of kunika on men’s wellbeing can inform initiatives promoting the role of men in addressing kunika.

scholarly journals “Kunika women are always sick”: Views from community focus groups on short birth interval (kunika) in Bauchi State, Northern Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umaira Ansari ◽  
Juan Pimentel ◽  
Khalid Omer ◽  
Yagana Gidado ◽  
Muhd Chadi Baba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Birth Interval ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Northern Nigeria ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
North East ◽  
Short Birth Interval ◽  
Child Spacing

Abstract Background : In Northern Nigeria, short birth interval is common; the word kunika in the Hausa language describes a woman becoming pregnant before weaning her last child. A sizeable literature confirms an association between short birth interval and adverse perinatal and maternal health outcomes. Yet there are few reported studies about how people view short birth interval and its consequences. In support of culturally safe child spacing in Bauchi State, in North East Nigeria, we explored local perspectives about kunika and its consequences. Methods : A qualitative descriptive study included 12 gender-segregated focus groups facilitated by local men and women in six communities from the Toro Local Government Area in Bauchi State. Facilitators conducted the groups in the Hausa language and translated the reports of the discussions into English. After an inductive thematic analysis, the local research team reviewed and agreed the themes in a member-checking exercise.Results : Some 49 women and 48 men participated in the 12 focus groups, with an average of eight people in each group. All participants were married with ages ranging from 15-45 years. They explained their understanding of kunika, often in terms of pregnancy while breastfeeding. They described many disadvantages of kunika, including health complications for the mother and children, economic consequences, and adverse impact on men’s health and family dynamics. The groups concluded that some people still practise kunika, either intentionally (for example, in order to increase family size or because of competition between co-wives) or unintentionally (for example, because of frequent unprotected sex), and explained the roles of men and women in this. Conclusion : Men and women in our study had a clear understanding of the concept of kunika. They recognized many adverse consequences of kunika beyond the narrow health concerns reported in quantitative studies. Their highlighted impacts of kunika on men’s wellbeing can inform initiatives promoting the role of men in addressing kunika.

scholarly journals “Kunika women are always sick”: Views from community focus groups on short birth interval (kunika) in Bauchi State, Northern Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umaira Ansari ◽  
Juan Pimentel ◽  
Khalid Omer ◽  
Yagana Gidado ◽  
Muhd Chadi Baba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Birth Interval ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Northern Nigeria ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
North East ◽  
Short Birth Interval ◽  
Child Spacing

Abstract Background In Northern Nigeria, short birth interval is common. The word kunika in the Hausa language describes a woman becoming pregnant before weaning her last child. A sizeable literature confirms an association between short birth interval and adverse perinatal and maternal health outcomes. Yet there are few reported studies about how people view short birth interval and its consequences. In support of culturally safe child spacing in Bauchi State, in North East Nigeria, we explored local perspectives about kunika and its consequences. Methods A qualitative descriptive study included 12 gender-segregated focus groups facilitated by local men and women in six communities from the Toro Local Government Area in Bauchi State. Facilitators conducted the groups in the Hausa language and translated the reports of the discussions into English. After an inductive thematic analysis, the local research team reviewed and agreed the themes in a member-checking exercise.Results Some 49 women and 48 men participated in the 12 focus groups, with an average of eight people in each group. All participants were married with ages ranging from 15-45 years. They explained their understanding of kunika, often in terms of pregnancy while breastfeeding. They described many disadvantages of kunika, including health complications for the mother and children, economic consequences, and adverse impact on men’s health and family dynamics. The groups concluded that some people still practise kunika, either intentionally (for example, in order to increase family size or because of competition between co-wives) or unintentionally (for example, because of frequent unprotected sex), and explained the roles of men and women in this. Conclusion Men and women in our study had a clear understanding of the concept of kunika. They recognized many adverse consequences of kunika beyond the narrow health concerns reported in quantitative studies. Their highlighted impacts of kunika on men’s wellbeing can inform initiatives promoting the role of men in addressing kunika.

scholarly journals “Kunika women are always sick”: Views from community focus groups on short birth interval (kunika) in Bauchi State, Northern Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umaira Ansari ◽  
Juan Pimentel ◽  
Khalid Omer ◽  
Yagana Gidado ◽  
Mohd Chadi Baba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Birth Interval ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Northern Nigeria ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
North East ◽  
Short Birth Interval ◽  
Child Spacing

Abstract Background In Northern Nigeria, short birth interval is common; the word kunika in the Hausa language describes a woman becoming pregnant before weaning her last child. A sizeable literature confirms an association between short birth interval and adverse perinatal and maternal health outcomes. Yet relatively little is known about how people view short birth interval and its consequences. In support of culturally-safe child spacing in Bauchi State, in North East Nigeria, we explored local perspectives about kunika and its consequences.Methods A qualitative descriptive study included 12 gender-segregated focus groups facilitated by local men and women in six communities from the Toro Local Government Area in Bauchi State. Facilitators conducted the groups in the Hausa language and translated the reports of the discussions into English. After an inductive thematic analysis, the local research team reviewed and agreed the themes in a member-checking exercise.Results Some 49 women and 48 men participated in the 12 focus groups, with an average of eight people in each group. All participants were married with ages ranging from 15-45 years. They explained their understanding of kunika , often in terms of pregnancy while breastfeeding. They described many disadvantages of kunika , including health complications for the mother and children, economic consequences, and adverse impact on men’s health and family dynamics. The groups concluded that some people still practise kunika , either intentionally (for example, in order to increase family size or because of competition between co-wives) or unintentionally (for example, because of frequent unprotected sex), and explained the roles of men and women in this.Conclusion Men and women in our study had a clear understanding of the concept of kunika . They recognized many adverse consequences of kunika beyond the narrow health concerns reported in quantitative studies. Their highlighted impacts of kunika on men’s wellbeing can inform initiatives promoting the role of men in addressing kunika .

scholarly journals “Kunika women are always sick”: views from community focus groups on short birth interval (kunika) in Bauchi state, northern Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Umaira Ansari ◽  
Juan Pimentel ◽  
Khalid Omer ◽  
Yagana Gidado ◽  
Muhd Chadi Baba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Birth Interval ◽  
Northern Nigeria ◽  
Short Birth Interval

scholarly journals Causes of short birth interval (kunika) in Bauchi State, Nigeria: systematizing local knowledge with fuzzy cognitive mapping

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Sarmiento ◽  
Umaira Ansari ◽  
Khalid Omer ◽  
Yagana Gidado ◽  
Muhammad Chadi Baba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Local Knowledge ◽  
Birth Interval ◽  
Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Transitive Closure ◽  
Northern Nigeria ◽  
Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Forced Sex ◽  
Short Birth Interval

Abstract Background Short birth intervals, defined by the World Health Organization as less than 33 months, may damage the health and wellbeing of children, mothers, and their families. People in northern Nigeria recognise many adverse effects of short birth interval (kunika in the Hausa language) but it remains common. We used fuzzy cognitive mapping to systematize local knowledge of causes of kunika to inform the co-design of culturally safe strategies to address it. Methods Male and female groups in twelve communities built 48 maps of causes and protective factors for kunika, and government officers from the Local Government Area (LGA) and State made four maps. Each map showed causes of kunika or no-kunika, with arrows showing relationships with the outcome and between causes. Participants assigned weights for the perceived strength of relationships between 5 (strongest) and 1 (weakest). We combined maps for each group: men, women, and government officers. Fuzzy transitive closure calculated the maximum influence of each factor on the outcome, taking account of all relationships in the map. To condense the maps, we grouped individual factors into broader categories and calculated the cumulative net influence of each category. We made further summarised maps and presented these to the community mapping groups to review. Results The community maps identified frequent sex, not using modern or traditional contraception, and family dynamics (such as competition between wives) as the most influential causes of kunika. Women identified forced sex and men highlighted lack of awareness about contraception and fear of side effects as important causes of kunika. Lack of male involvement featured in women’s maps of causes and in the maps from LGA and State levels. Maps of protective factors largely mirrored those of the causes. Community groups readily appreciated and approved the summary maps resulting from the analysis. Conclusions The maps showed how kunika results from a complex network of interacting factors, with culture-specific dynamics. Simply promoting contraception alone is unlikely to be enough to reduce kunika. Outputs from transitive closure analysis can be made accessible to ordinary stakeholders, allowing their meaningful participation in interpretation and use of the findings. Plain English summary For people in Bauchi State, northern Nigeria, kunika describes a short interval between successive births, understood as becoming pregnant again before the previous child is weaned. They recognise it is bad for children, mothers and households. We worked with 12 communities in Bauchi to map their knowledge of the causes and protective factors for kunika. Separate groups of men and women built 48 maps, and government officers at local and state level built four maps. Each group drew two maps showing causes of kunika or of no-kunika with arrows showing the links between causes and the outcome. Participants marked the strength of each link with a number (between 5 for the strongest and 1 for the weakest). We combined maps for women, men and government officers. We grouped similar causes together into broader categories. We calculated the overall influence of each category on kunika or no-kunika and produced summary maps to communicate findings. The maps identified the strongest causes of kunika as frequent sex, not using modern or traditional contraception, and family dynamics. Women indicated forced sex as an important cause, but men focused on lack of awareness about contraception and fear of side effects. The maps of protective factors mirrored those of the causes. The groups who created the maps approved the summary maps. The maps showed the complex causes of kunika in Bauchi. Promoting contraception is unlikely to be enough on its own to reduce kunika. The summary maps will help local stakeholders to co-design culturally safe ways of reducing kunika.

scholarly journals Community views on short birth interval in Northern Uganda: a participatory grounded theory

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Loubna Belaid ◽  
Pamela Atim ◽  
Emmanuel Ochola ◽  
Bruno Omara ◽  
Eunice Atim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Birth Interval ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Northern Uganda ◽  
Birth Intervals ◽  
Congenital Diseases ◽  
Short Birth Interval ◽  
Child Spacing ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Short birth interval is associated with adverse perinatal, maternal, and infant outcomes, although evidence on actionable factors underlying short birth interval remains limited. We explored women and community views on short birth intervals to inform potential solutions to promote a culturally safe child spacing in Northern Uganda. Methods Gendered fuzzy cognitive mapping sessions (n = 21), focus group discussions (n = 12), and an administered survey questionnaire (n = 255) generated evidence on short birth intervals. Deliberative dialogues with women, their communities, and service providers suggested locally relevant actions promote culturally safe child spacing. Results Women, men, and youth have clear understandings of the benefits of adequate child spacing. This knowledge is difficult to translate into practice as women are disempowered to exercise child spacing. Women who use contraceptives without their husbands’ consent risk losing financial and social assets and are likely to be subject to intra-partner violence. Women were not comfortable with available contraceptive methods and reported experiencing well-recognized side effects. They reported anxiety about the impact of contraception on the health of their future children. This fear was fed by rumors in their communities about the effects of contraceptives on congenital diseases. The women and their communities suggested a home-based sensitization program focused on improving marital relationships (spousal communication, mutual understanding, male support, intra-partner violence) and knowledge and side-effects management of contraceptives. Conclusions The economic context, gender power dynamics, inequality, gender bias in land tenure and ownership regulations, and the limited contraceptive supply reduce women’s capacity to practice child spacing.

scholarly journals Determinants of short birth interval among women in South Gondar, Ethiopia: community-based unmatched case-control study

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gedefaye Nibret Mihretie ◽  
Fentahun Yenealem Beyene ◽  
Bekalu Getnet Kassa ◽  
Alemu Degu Ayele ◽  
Tewachew Muche Liyeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Birth Interval ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Birth Spacing ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Short Birth Interval ◽  
South Gondar ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Background The effect of short birth interval on socio-economic, negative maternal and child health outcomes remains common in developing countries. This study aimed to assess determinants of short birth interval among reproductive age women, who gave birth in health institution for last six-month in South Gondar, Ethiopia 2019. Methods Community-based unmatched case control study design was conducted from February 1 to March 30, 2019. Sample size of 150 was included by simple random sampling technique. The data was collected by semi-structured and pre-tested face to face interviewer-administered questionnaire from selected respondent. The collected data was entered with Epi-Data version 3.1 and analyzed by using SPSS version 23 software. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to examine the association. Odds ratio, 95% CI and P-value < 0.05 were used to determine the statistical association. Result The mean age of the respondents was 32.42 (SD ± 5.14) and 35.12 (SD ± 5.86) for cases and controls, respectively. Mothers not used contraceptives (AOR = 6.29, 95% CI (1.95, 20.24)), participants who had ≤2 alive children (AOR = 5.57, 95% CI (1.47, 21.13)), mothers who breast fed less than 24 months (AOR = 3.42, 95% CI (1.38, 8.46)), husband decision on contraceptives utilization (AOR = 2.69,95% CI (1.05,6.88)) and mothers who did not have history of antenatal care follow up (AOR = 3.52, 95% CI (1.27, 9.75)) were associated with short birth interval. Conclusion The optimum birth spacing plays a vital role in decreasing fertility and the morbidity and mortality of mothers and children. Thus, providing health information on the benefit of breast feeding, follow-up of antenatal care during pregnancy, use of contraceptives after delivery and encouraging mothers to make decisions about their own health and use of contraceptives to optimize birth spacing for rural communities.

Reflections on Slavery, Seclusion and Female Labor in the Maradi Region of Niger in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

1994 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara M. Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Urban Women ◽  
Colonial Period ◽  
Northern Nigeria ◽  
Female Labor ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Plantation Slavery ◽  
Nineteenth And Twentieth Centuries ◽  
Female Slaves

This essay argues that female participation in agriculture and limited seclusion in Maradi (Niger) today do not stem from the absence of agricultural slavery in the pre-colonial period but rather result from the resistance of the Katsinawa élite to the Islamic reforms of the Sokoto Caliphate and from the absence of rimji (plantation) slavery in the region. The abolition of slavery did not mark a watershed in the rise of seclusion, as M. G. Smith argues was the case in Nigeria, but rather triggered a series of reformulations of marriage and female hierarchy. Semi-legitimate and legitimate polygynous marriages permitted men and women of the wealthier classes to retain the labor of former female slaves as ‘concubines’ and later enabled them to use junior wives to perform the duties once carried out by slaves. Women countered the ambiguities of such marriages by asserting their worth through wedding ritual and later by adopting the veiling of élite women. As economic and cultural ties with northern Nigeria grew during the colonial and post-colonial periods, and as goods and services reduced some of the labor demands upon urban women, seclusion gained in popularity. By acquiescing to the dependency implicit in purdah women could protect themselves from the labor demands of others and could sometimes free themselves up to earn independent incomes of their own. Thus the recent adoption of seclusion in Maradi has not arisen out of a unilateral decision on the part of newly freed women to adopt seclusion as a sign of status, as Smith claimed for Northern Nigeria, but resulted instead from of a series of redefinitions, contestations and negotiations of marriage in which both men and women have been active.

scholarly journals The effect of sociodemographic variables on child-spacing in rural Saudi Arabia

1999 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-140
Author(s):  
N. N. Al Nahedh
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Birth Order ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Birth Interval ◽  
Predictor Variables ◽  
Marriage Education ◽  
Age At Marriage ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Child Spacing ◽  
Positive Factor

Adequate child-spacing is considered a positive factor in the health of mothers and their children. A house-to-house survey of 332 women in Al-Oyaynah village, Saudi Arabia was carried out in April and May of 1995 to determine the existing practice of child-spacing and factors influencing it. The variables examined included age of the mother, age at marriage, education, income, parity, type of infant-feeding and birth order. The age of the mother, age at marriage and education were significantly associated with the length of the birth interval. The current age of mother and her parity were found to be the only significant predictor variables of birth interval

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