Appraisal of Socio-Economic and Political Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic on Residents of Enugu State, Nigeria

COVID-19 pandemic determines public health, presenting the biggest threat since the Second World War. All continents, except for Antarctica, are active in battling the pandemic. As other socio-economic and political problems are arising from this crisis, the pandemic cannot only be attributed to health issues. Every nation affected by this pandemic may witness a destructive or ravaging social, economic, political and psychological backlash that may leave long lasting scars. The World Bank has projected a decline in remittances of $110 billion and 800 million people will not be able to meet basic needs this year, with the International Labour Organization (ILO) forecasting that over 195 million people will lose their jobs. In managing this pandemic, there is a need for strategic planning by a government organization through the development of long-lasting policies that will help minimize the impact on individuals and nations. Previous experiences of epidemics such as Ebola, HIV, SARs, TB and Malaria will therefore be valuable in the development of policies that can help to mitigate the socio-economic and political impact. The solution may lie in contacting the most vulnerable through crowd sourcing to provide them with food, in particular life necessities. Expanded social security may also be an important step in that direction for the disadvantaged and the disabled.

COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: Livelihood Struggles and Coping Experiences of Precarious Migrant Construction and Transport Workers in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

COVID-19 Pandemic has affected different categories of workers in diverse ways. The paper seeks to interrogate the livelihood challenges of those in precarious employment with a focus on migrant construction and transport workers in Awka during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The paper explores the coping strategies adopted by these urban poor in the face of the severe shutdown and abrupt termination of their marginal means of livelihood by the State and National governments. The paper also sought to find out the forms of assistance, or palliatives, if any from governmental, non-governmental organizations, corporate bodies and individuals. The paper is an indepth study of select construction and transport workers who are not indigenes of Anambra State, using In-depth Interview Method and Focus Group Discussion. The study revealed, that trapped in precariousness, the daily paid workers in the construction and transport sub sectors of the informal economy faced double jeopardy, not only in terms of the starvation earnings that are irregular, and uncertain, but in its total stoppage, with no safety nets, nor savings to fall back on. It also provides insights into the nature of the relationship that these masons, bricklayers and transport operators have with their ad hoc employers and the State.

Community Policing and COVID-19 Safety Precautions: An Explanatory Study of Agbopa in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Community policing means synergy between members of the public and police institutions to fight crimes. This could be deployed to address coronavirus pandemic that is currently threatening global peace and security. There are a number of safety precautions that are put in place to stem the spread of the deadly virus. One of the challenges of these measures is poor compliance. This leads to contact with the disease thereby putting pressure on scanty health facilities, crisis at the family level due to loss of breadwinners and loved ones. Hence, this paper assesses the role of community policing in enforcing COVID-19 safety precautions in a bid to mitigate the health emergency. The study adopts mixed research methods; data were sourced secondarily through the content analysis of peer-reviewed journals, edited text-books and online resources. The primary data were gotten by administering questionnaires on 364 respondents. Taro Yamane formula was used in arriving the sample size from the total population of 4,000 people. Frequency counts and correlation were used in primary data analysis. The two hypotheses tested led to rejection of null hypotheses and acceptance of alternative hypothesis. The test statistics are (P= 0.000, R= 0.144, 5%), (P=0.00. R= 0.098, 5%). Findings revealed that community policing approach significantly enhanced wearing of face masks, social distance in the schools, worship centres and during transportation. The study recommends effective collaborations among people at the grassroots to end COVID-19 pandemic. The paper will be useful to individuals, Community Development Associations, National Centre for Disease Control and other stakeholders.

Social Reintegration of Rehabilitated Drug Abusers: An Explorative Investigation of Views of Rehabilitees in Lagos, Nigeria

Objective: This study examined the influence of family structure, employment opportunities, marital status and stigmatization on reintegration of rehabilitated drug abusers in Lagos, Nigeria. Method: This study used the qualitative research design to collect data from 50 respondents. The study was conducted in a Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital using the outpatient clinic. Data were analysed adopting the phenomenological approach of analysis. Nvivo 12 plus was used to analyse the data. Findings: Immediate family members were supportive of drug abusers’ reintegration with those from monogamous family receiving more support than those from the polygamous family structure. Being married is an important factor in rehabilitation and reintegration as expressed by the respondents. Being employed either in private or private sector assisted them in keeping their eyes off drugs. Stigmatization was experienced at community level, workplaces and even among friends and peer. Conclusion: Efforts should be put in place to educate members of the public on the need to support drug abusers undergoing rehabilitation and reintegration for total reintegration into the society. This involves avoiding any of stigmatization towards rehabilitated drug abusers.

‘…her aim was to ruin my reputation’: Cyberstalking Victimization Experiences among University Students in Nigeria

While global knowledge about cyberstalking is growing, intellectual engagement of the phenomenon in Nigeria is still at infancy and focused mainly on awareness. Scanty attention has however been paid to the nature of victimization experiences and its effects on victims. Against this background, this study investigated the nature and effects of cyberstalking among victims at the University of Ibadan. Using purposive and snowball sampling techniques, 30 victims of cyber stalking were subjected to indepth interview. Results indicated that their active online activities and the anonymity guaranteed in cyberspace contributed to their victimization. While one of the social and psychological effects of cyberstalking is social estrangement of victims, most victims failed to report to the Police owing to fear of repeat victimization and lack of trust in the policing institution. Instead, they accessed informal coping mechanisms from friends and family.

Baraza: Social Networking and Sustainable Livelihood of Households in South-south Nigeria during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic spiraled serious economic crisis to the households. While studies have largely focused on the formal mechanisms to cushion its effects on households’ livelihood, study on the informal mechanisms is still scanty. This study, therefore, examined the roles of Baraza as a Multipurpose Cooperative Society (MCS) during COVID-19 lockdown in Yenagoa City. The theory of planned behaviour was adopted, while a cross-sectional survey design was employed. A respondent-driven sampling was utilized to sample 380 respondents through Baraza MCS using a structured-questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used as analytical strategy at p<0.05. Findings revealed that the majority were males, employed and had B.Sc/BA as educational qualification. It was further indicated that the majority had long-term plan (62%) in the scheme, as it served as an alternative source of income (54.7%), income diversification (55%), as well as a cushioning mechanism for COVID-19 pandemic (34.3%) among others. The predictor variables jointly predicted the level of satisfaction derived from the scheme during the pandemic at (R=0.33, R2=0.11; AdjR2=0.10, F(5,369)=9.23), while the average investment (β=.375, t=2.740), contributory platform (β=-.550, t=-2.360) and number of packages (β=.558, t=3.298) of respondents significantly predicted the level of satisfaction derived from the scheme. In spite of these, the fear of political interference (39.7%), interest reduction (38.4%), collapse (33.7%), etc. were the associated challenges with the scheme. It is imperative that the scheme are thoroughly supported and regulated by the concerned agencies in order to enhance its roles as alternative source of livelihood sustainability particularly during economic crisis.

Response to Tragedy: An Ethnography of Gully Erosion Threats in Three Communities in Edo State, Southern Nigeria

This paper took its departure from a research project on a new programme to address gully erosion and its effects in Auchi and Benin City, Edo State, southern Nigeria. No public policy or strategy to address gully erosion exists and previous government amelioration has been inconclusive. We gathered sociodemographic and other data on 1900 respondents with a questionnaire, interview and direct nonparticipant observation. Among others, we found that gully erosion affected mainly the poor and powerless segment of society; material poverty is underscored by ecological poverty and there is poverty of interventions to check the disaster. Several extant practices aggravate the disaster and there is no communal ameliorative response. We conclude that affected persons are alienated from governments and their environment. Dysfunctional behaviour, nonchalance in the face of disaster point to fatalism and anomie. New policy should address poverty, community education and planning to stem overurbanisation.

Access and Utilisation of Child Nutrition Information by Mothers in Rural Delta State, Nigeria

Infant and Young Child nutrition information is an aspect of health that covers a wide range of issues, including what a child should consume, when, how, and under what circumstances. Although intake of nutritious food is essential for the physical, mental and psychological wellbeing of children, there exists gaps nutrition-related information in Nigeria. The paper examines mothers’ access to, and utilisation of, under-two child nutrition information in selected rural communities of Delta State. Findings reveal hygiene (94.1%) and exclusive breastfeeding (80.8%) as the most “always” accessed information, and breastfeeding-related messages constituting a half of all available messages to nursing mothers. Utilisation of child nutrition information is also high but modulated. While 70% of the information is utilised, feeding the child to full satisfaction before stopping (94.0%) is highest and breastfeeding for two years is the least (28.9%) utilised. However, access is incongruous with utilisation. Pearson Correlation Coefficient shows no significant relationship between information access and feeding patterns as the information accounted only for 7.3 percent of the adopted feeding methods. Implementation of child nutrition information is related to mothers’ sociodemographic background and sociocultural beliefs, which have implications for child health and development. The paper calls for a more inclusive approach to child nutrition information, education and intervention.

Male Role in Emergency Obstetric Care in Rural Niger Delta, Nigeria

After more than two decades of continuous democratic rule and government policies geared towards improved emergency obstetric care (EmOC) access in Nigeria, maternal mortality remains a fundamental public health challenge. Although many studies have emphasized the significance of the male role in female reproductive health-seeking behavior in the country, there is insufficient empirical evidence on the male role in accessing EmOC in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, the bastion of the nation’s petroleum industry. This study explored women’s perspectives, beliefs, and experiences concerning the role of their husbands on reproductive health by collecting quantitative and qualitative data in an economically disadvantaged community of Bayelsa State. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 616 women aged 15-49 years. Focus Group Discussions (16) were conducted among purposively selected male and female participants. Men play positive roles toward accessing EmOC by women in rural Bayelsa. At least eight out of ten women reported that their husbands were present during pregnancy or birth complications; five out of ten claimed they followed them to hospitals or clinics for treatment. Men also provided the finance for the specialized care during emergencies. This study provides empirical evidence of a positive male role in accessing EmOC in the study area. More deliberate promotion of male involvement in the reproductive health of their wives will contribute significantly to the reduction of maternal mortality in a patriarchal society such as Bayelsa.

Subnational Variation in Facility-based Childbirth in Nigeria: Evidence from 2013 and 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Surveys

Background Previous studies have not examined the state-level variations in health facility delivery in Nigeria. Because of the decentralised system, state governments have a huge role in decision-making and policy direction for each state. As such, it is important to disaggregate the data at state level to understand patterns and best performing states that can be exemplars for others. We address this gap by examining the sub-national variations in health facility delivery in Nigeria. Methods Data of 37,928 and 40,567 live births in the 2013 and 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health surveys (NDHS) respectively were analysed in this study. NDHS employs a multistage sampling and is representative of both the country and each of the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT). We used descriptive statistics to examine the trend in health facility delivery in Nigerian states and presented the results using maps. Also, we used logistic regression analysis to examine progress in expanding access to health facility delivery across Nigerian states. Results The proportion of births delivered in health facilities increased from 35.8% in 2013 to 39.4% in 2018, representing a 3.6% increment. After adjusting for relevant covariates, women were 17% more likely to deliver in health facilities in 2018 than in 2013 surveys. However, progress in expanding access to health facility delivery was uneven across the country. While the odds of delivering in a health facility significantly increased in 13 of the 36 states and FCT, the odds reduced significantly in seven states and no progress was recorded in 17 states. Conclusion There was a slight improvement in access to health facility delivery in Nigeria between 2013 and 2018. However, progress remains uneven across the states with only 13 states recording some progress. Four states stood out, recording over a three-fold relative increase in odds of health facility deliveries. These states implemented maternal health care policies that not only made services free but also improved infrastructure and human resources for health. Thus, providing examples of what works in improving access to maternal health care services for other states to follow.