Nelson Okorie

Spousal desertion and coping strategies among women with cervical cancer in Nigeria: a schematic framework for wellbeing

Background: Women that are not in good health cannot contribute to sustainable development but effective coping during and after sickness could enhance their contributions to development. Objective: The study examined the coping strategies among women with cervical cancer in different marital context in Nigeria Methods: In-depth interview from eight women survivors and patients of cervical cancer in two distinct marital contexts characterised by the presence or absence of husband from two states of Nigeria. Data were analysed using content analytic procedures and premised upon relationship-focused coping strategy theory. Results: The study identified basic coping strategies as seeking support from religious organisations and adjustment of sexual lifestyle. Conclusion: The study concluded that women’s coping strategies on cervical cancer varied according to marital context. The authors recommend counselling, increasing cervical cancer risk awareness and husband-wife support, especially during life-threatening sicknesses to engender quick recovery and improved well-being for sustaining women contributions to development.

Medical apps for reproductive health practices: Uses and implications for supporting sustainable development in Nigeria

Background: Empirical investigations on the adoption of selfcare medical apps for reproductive health services among women are not popular in literature and rarely dicussed openly. Objective: This study evaluated the uses of medical apps for reproductive health practices among women in Nigeria. Method: Quantitative questionnaire approach was adopted among randomly selected 340 urban literate women in prime reproductive age (15-35 years) in Ota Community. Results: The study identified three predominant disproportionately used of selfcare healthapps: My Fitness Pal (23.7%), Flo (22.2%) and my Calendar (17.8%). Common selfcare practices are pregnancy test, weight management, but infection test was low (6.5%). Conclusion: The study concludes that the use of selfcare medical apps that could aid early discovery of health challenges are not common in the study location. The authors recommended the use and training on these apps as crucal part of women’s reproductive healthcare services to achieve healthy lives and reduction in maternal and infant morbidities.

Portrayal of Women in Nollywood Films and the Role of Women in National Development

This study investigates how women are portrayed in Nollywood films, as well as the interpretation of their representations. It aims at understanding how the images of women are reflected in films, with a focus on investigating the influence of such portrayals on their role in national development. The methods adopted were Quantitative Content Analysis (five Nollywood films were content analysed) and Focus Group Discussion (three sessions of FGD were organised). Data collected and analysed show that over two-thirds of major female characters analysed were portrayed as dependent, 80% were depicted in such situations of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, while only 30% of the major female characters were portrayed as career professionals and intellectuals. It was observed from the analyses that portrayals and representations of women have negative influences on their contributions towards national development. The study concludes, therefore, that positive portrayal of women in Nollywood films should be encouraged. This can only be made possible through changing the narrative style of the film scripts. This is a call for more female script writers and directors to be involved in charting the narratives that will adequately give women a voice, new roles, and the right representation in Nollywood films. Portrayal of Women in Nollywood Films and the Role of Women in National Development