Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Adeyanju ¹, Awoniyi Babafemi ¹, Beredugo ¹, Letticia Ikiomoye ¹, Oyedele Emmanuel Adetunji ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Community Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, NG
2 Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences , University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, NG

Abstract

Globally, the term family or informal caregiver refers to an unpaid family member, friend, or neighbour who provides care for ill or disabled aged who cannot do for themselves a variety of fundamental tasks due to loss of independence. The purpose of the study was to explore family caregivers' educational needs in the care of aged in Ikare-Akoko Ondo State, Nigeria. A mixed method research design was adopted and a multistage sampling methods were used to select fifty (50) participants for the quantitative descriptive phase and ten (10) participants for the qualitative explorative phase respectively . An observational check list was used to obtain data in the descriptive quantitative phase while an interview guide was used to guide the interview that helped to elicit qualitative data. The instruments were validated and reliability tested. Data were analysed with the aid of International Business Machine SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics was done to generate frequencies and percentages of responses from the quantitative data while interview excerpts were subjected to content analysis. Major findings of the study showed that family caregivers' practical caregiving need is modest. They appreciably performed procedures on medication care, grooming, pain assessment, food preparation and moving patients. However, caregivers demonstrated inadequate skill in performing procedures on emergency resuscitation. The study also revealed that family caregivers perceived caregiving as merely assisting care recipients with ADL and administering medications. they were found to engage in risky practices which can be detrimental to the health of their older relatives, as well as to their own health. More so, family caregivers possess inadequate information about the illness and treatment of care of the aged. They also lack support and have deficient knowledge on where to get external support. Thus there is need for training on care of older relatives at home and how to access help and support from health and social care professionals. In this light, a health education program for family caregivers of aged in Ikare-Akoko could be based on the Melei's transition theory and should include content such as strategies to care for the aged transition from one life stage to another and to be adequately adapted to new roles among others.

Keywords

Educational Needs, Practical Care Giving Needs, Information Needs, Support Needs, Family Caregiver, Aged.

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Beredugo ¹, Letticia Ikiomoye ¹, Adeyanju ¹, Awoniyi Babafemi ¹, Nkamare ², Maureen Bunadoumene ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, NG
2 Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Sciences, College of Health Sciences,Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, NG

Abstract

The practice of early marriage for women remains rampant in developing nations around the world today, and it is a major problem contributing to maternal ill health and death in Nigeria. It has consequence on both social and health of not only the girl child but the children born to these young mothers. The aim of the study is to identify the determinant factors and health implications of early marriage on the girl-child in Otuan Community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A descriptive study was done using a descriptive cross-sectional survey type of design, One hundred and thirteen (113) respondents were recruited for the study. A self-developed pilot tested questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. The instrument was face validated by three experts in the field of Nursing and research; reliability was established using the test retested method and a retest coefficient of 0.82 was arrived at; and data generated were analysed. The study found that; majority of the respondents identified poverty/economic hardship, tradition and culture of the people, area of settlement, peer group and parental neglect as determinant factors that influences early girl-child marriage. The respondents also identified maternal and infant death, sexually transmitted diseases, child disability, prolonged sickness after birth and psychosocial problems as health implication of early girl-child marriage. The study further revealed that the girls had experienced excessive bleeding, anaemia, and prolonged/obstructed labour as complications during pregnancy. The study found that increased educational attainment among girls, risks, change of cultural norms that support early child marriage, and provision of economic opportunities for girls and their families as ways of preventing early girl-child marriage. it is recommended that proper education of girls and parents on the associated risk of early girl-child marriage and formulation of laws and policies to protect adolescent is advocated.

Keywords

Adolescent, Child Health, Early Marriage, Girl Child, Health Implications.

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