Natal Ayiga

Prevalence and predictors of elder abuse in Mafikeng Local Municipality in South Africa

Elder abuse is widespread in South Africa and is a serious public health problem. This paper estimated the prevalence and identified the forms and predictors of elder abuse. The paper used cross-sectional data on 506 elderly people from Mafikeng Local Municipality in South Africa, and used the chi-square statistic and the logistic regression model to analyse the data. Overall 64.3% of men and 60.3% of women experienced elder abuse. Physical abuse was more common among men while emotional, financial and sexual abuses were more common among women. Having no working children, being currently single, living in elderly couple family, living in rural areas, having a poor self-perception of health and having a disability were significantly associated with elder abuse. We conclude that the prevalence of elder abuse is high and common, which calls for strategies to prevent the vice.

Prevalence of maternal near miss and community-based risk factors in Central Uganda

To examine the prevalence of maternal near‐miss (MNM) and its associated risk factors in a community setting in Central Uganda.

Male involvement in utilization of emergency obstetric care and averting of deaths for maternal near misses in Rakai district in Central Uganda.

Although studies have assessed male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness, little is known about their involvement after the onset of maternal near miss complications. This information is important in developing appropriate strategies for male involvement in accessing emergency obstetric care (EmOC) in order to reduce Uganda’s high maternal mortality ratio. The study examined the roles played by men after the onset of maternal near miss complications in Uganda. A qualitative study using narratives of 40 purposively selected maternal near misses and in-depth interviews of 10 randomly selected men was conducted. Results showed that men were involved in postpartum uptake of long term contraceptive methods, management of obstetric complications, decision making, social support, transport arrangements and provision of financial support to access EmOC. Therefore, men should be sensitized on the recommended haemorrhage medication during home births, the need for supervised deliveries and prompt referral of their wives to health facilities.

Financial abuse of older people in low and middle-income countries: the case of South Africa

This article assesses what is currently known about the financial abuse of older people in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), making specific reference to South Africa. It demonstrates that individual and environmental risk factors for financial abuse are present, but the issue is generally neglected by researchers and policymakers. As a result, empirical data are limited and there is an urgent need for new studies. The article begins by introducing the issue of elder financial abuse in LMICs more generally, identifying key risk factors and evaluating available evidence. The article then provides a detailed case study of South Africa, reviewing local risk factors and available evidence of financial abuse. It concludes with recommendations about future research in this emerging area of concern.

Factors related to married or cohabiting women’s decision to use modern contraceptive methods in Mahikeng, South Africa

Background Sexual and reproductive decision-making has emerged as an important health indicator in family reproductive health issues. While there is evidence of male dominance in sexual and reproductive health decisions, the role of socio-demographic factors on women’s decision to use contraception is not well understood. Aim This study aimed at exploring the socio-demographic factors associated with married women’s decision-making to use contraception. Setting The study was conducted in Mahikeng local municipality in the Modiri Molema District Municipality. Methods Data were generated in Mahikeng from married and cohabiting women, aged 18–49 years, from a survey comprising 568 participants. Data were collected on women’s demographic characteristics and contraceptive behaviour. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine factors related to decision-making on contraceptive use. Results The result revealed that 57% of the participants were currently using contraception and 45% stated jointly-made decision regarding the use of contraception. Decisions on use of contraceptives were associated with education, occupation, religion, duration of union and home language. Other factors associated with decision-making on contraceptive use were perception on husband’s right to sex, use of force for sex and spousal communication about sex. Conclusion Empowering women to use contraception to meet their fertility desire should aim at improving their socio-economic status and spousal communication. Family planning providers should recognise socio-cultural barriers under which the relationships exist and how women can navigate these contextual factors.

Rural-urban contraceptive use in Uganda: evidence from UDHS 2011

Abstract Knowledge of the different types of contraception is universal, yet their use is generally low incountries that are predominantly rural. The aim of this paper is to ascertain whether the place of residence is amajor factor in determining the use of contraceptives in Uganda. Data from the 2011 Uganda Demographic andHealth Survey was used to examine the role of the place of residence in the use of contraceptives among womenin Uganda. Factors such as education, status of women, and the desire for children by husbands play a significantrole in determining rural-urban differences in the use of contraceptives in Uganda. Place of residence is therefore,an important factor in determining use of contraceptive, especially among rural women. Improving the level ofeducation of rural women, their socio-economic status and educating husbands of the need to use contraceptives isnecessary in increasing uptake in the use of contraceptive.

Explaining trends of premarital childbearing among young women in Uganda

Young motherhood is associated with persistently high rates of fertility and adverse maternal, neonatal and social outcomes in many sub-Saharan African countries. This study examined the trends and explained the persistence of high incidence of premarital childbearing among sexually active unmarried women in Uganda. Cross-sectional data from the 2001, 2006 and 2011 Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys were used. The study revealed that across the span of the study period the prevalence of premarital childbearing remained high and stable at more than 25% in all the three surveys. Premarital childbearing is significantly predicted by age group 20–24, young age at sexual debut, female headed households, and households headed by the young women themselves, low level of education, rural residence and multiple lifetime sexual partnerships. Increasing and maintaining access to programmes that increase age at sexual debut, level of education and reduce number of lifetime sex partners are recommended.