ABSTRACT:The aim of the study was to investigate the relations between the witchcraft beliefs in diseases causation and choice of health -seeking among pregnant women in Calabar South Cross River State of Nigeria. The study integrates the examination of witchcraft theory as theoretical model. Primary data was collected using300 valid questionnaires which were administered to random expectant mothers selected from 5 different maternity homes and church-based delivery centers. Chi-square analytical tool was employed to test the hypothesis. The main findings of the study include: -witchcraft belief of disease causation has a strong and significant impact on choice of health -seeking of pregnant mothers; witchcraft beliefs also has impact on high rate of morbidity and mortality of both infants and mothers.

One of the greatest challenges confronting the government in Nigeria today is the need to reduce infant and child morbidity and mortality in order to achieve the sustainable development goal 2030. Infant mortality is generally used to describe the death of infants or babies that were born alive but died before their first birthday. There is generally marked inequality in infant death between developed and developing nations but also within them. Culture has been found to influence the health of the people especially in developing countries where majority of the people are traditionally oriented and superstitious. Several cultural values, beliefs and practices have considerable influence on the health behaviour of Nigerians, which has been adopted by pregnant women, and carried over to their children resulting in infant mortality. These cultural beliefs and practices are some of the major reasons for the low patronage of antenatal health care and orthodox medicine. People have remained bound to cultural beliefs and values. People tend to view events of diseases and deaths from the cultural and supernatural perspective, thereby causing mothers to stick to traditional and cultural practices in health matters. The paper is purely theoretical and relied heavily on secondary data and relevant literature on the issue under consideration. The paper calls for adequate awareness and enlightenment especially in areas where cultural practices are very ingrained and where infant mortality is high due to these practices.

The purpose of this study was to investigate into the issue of HIV/AIDS prevalence and behaviour change among youth in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State using the descriptive survey design and a sample size of 280 respondents on whom questionnaires were administered. Relevant literature was reviewed and with the use of Pearson coefficient (r), the result showed a strong relationship between social marketing and behaviour change among youths in the study area. It went further to recommend on the need to strengthen social marketing as a working strategy if the rampaging social menace of HIV/AIDS must be prevented among youths.

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this study examines the associated issues in delayed care-seeking behaviour from malaria in households in rural Central Cross River states. Specifically, this study examines the extent to which belief in traditional medicine and household income relates to delayed care-seeking behaviour in household members suffering from malaria. The descriptive survey method was utilized to collect data from 1,229 participants from Central Cross River State, Nigeria. 1,224 The participants were selected using the multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a self-developed structured questionnaire and in-depth interview guide. Elicited data was analyzed using descriptor and parametric statistics. Data collected from the in-depth interview conducted on five participants in the study area were thematically analyzed. Out of the 1224 quantitative instrument distributed, 1065 was judged to valid to the researchers. The analysis revealed that belief in traditional medicine and household income were significant determinants of delay in care-seeking behaviour among grow household members suffering from malaria. The study calls for policy change towards malaria care for rural households in Central Cross River states.