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

International Social Work

Nwatu

et al. 2021

Poor health conditions such as diarrhoea are often associated with low- and middle-income countries. Diarrhoea in Nigeria contributes to an estimated 151,700 (16%) annual infant deaths, with a prevalence of 10–18 percent. With the high rate of diarrhoea-related infant mortality, it becomes important to investigate the barriers to its prevention. Data were sourced using five Focus Group Discussions involving 18 health workers and 30 nursing mothers. Findings show high prevalence of diarrhoea and identified ignorance, cultural/religious beliefs, and lack of funds as major barriers to its prevention. To address these problems, engaging social workers as welfare professionals is recommended.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with the prevalence of diarrhoea among children in rural areas of Enugu State, Nigeria: Practice considerations for social workers

Odo

International Social Work

Nwatu

et al. 2021

“…On the whole, 15 health workers inclusive of 3 social workers and 24 HIV-positive mothers participated in the study. The recommendation by the CMDs of just one social worker per facility, in addition to the complaints of the focus group discussion (FGD) participants that social workers are barely employed, is a reflection of the poor recognition of the social work profession in Nigeria (Ogbonna, 2018;Okoye, 2013Okoye, , 2019Onalu et al, 2019). It is important to state that there is no record of the number of social workers in Anambra State, nor in Nigeria.…”

Section: Sampling Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, at the base, where there are PMTCT site committees for health facilities providing the service, it reads that social workers should be part of the PMTCT site committees (Agboghoroma et al, 2015). Yet the under-employment of social workers at the facility level persists (Cataldo et al, 2017;Onalu et al, 2019). In a case study by Okoye (2013), the employment of non-social workers to take up social work jobs, even in the healthcare setting, was critically discussed as a key challenge for social workers in Nigeria.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV and utilization of preventive services in Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Nigeria: Practice considerations for social workers

International Social Work

Agwu

Okoye

et al. 2020

Low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, are often associated with poor health outcomes, such as the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is a dominant driver of HIV/AIDS in these countries, necessitating the need to prevent such mode of transmission. With the availability of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMCTC) services in Anambra State, Nigeria, it becomes important to investigate the utilization of these services. This is needful given the relatively high percentage of vertical transmission in the state. To conduct this study, data were sourced using six focus group discussions involving 15 health workers and 24 HIV-positive mothers selected from three health facilities that dispense PMCTC services. Findings revealed that PMTCT services in the study area had setbacks owing to facility-based inefficiencies, low-level awareness and-coverage of the services at the grass-roots level, weak social support and cultural/religious beliefs, among others. To contain these setbacks, social workers as welfare/human rights professionals were recommended to be engaged.

“…It is an awareness of such practices that is key. The possible lack of application can form a barrier to its inclusion in social work curriculum (Onalu et al, 2019).. However, the participants were of the view that Nigerian social work educators should start putting into consideration our cultural institutions, our pattern of behaviour which is different from western thinking while teaching the students.…”

Section: Some Of the Participants Stated That The Influence Of Wester...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The contribution of Western pedagogy and knowledge in the development of social work education in Nigeria: a coin of two sides

Ingram

2022

Social Work Education

Historically the development of social work education in most African countries has been strongly influenced by and modeled upon Western knowledge and pedagogy. Social work education has not been the product of a progressive indigenous social transformation but rather that of foreign practices imposed on African societies. This paper, therefore, examines the contribution of western pedagogy and knowledge in the development of social work education in Nigeria. In-depth interviews were used to collect data from 8 purposively selected social work educators and thematically analysed. Findings show that the curriculum that is used in Nigerian social work education is designed in line with European culture and orientation. Also, most textbooks used for social work education in Nigeria are from the Western context and thus, have not been able to aptly address the unique issues, culture and behavioural patterns of Nigeria. Therefore, there is the need for transformation of Nigerian social work education from being Western-centric to being Afro-centric while accommodating the relevance of its Western-centric origin. It is recommended that indigenous knowledge and culture should be incorporated and integrated into social work education in Nigeria to reflect and stimulate services that are culturally and nationally compatible.