Amoo, Emmanuel O. (2012) Male Reproductive Health Challenges and Conjugal Relationships among the Yoruba in Lagos and Osun States of Nigeria. ["eprint_fieldopt_thesis_type_phd" not defined] thesis, Covenant University.
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Abstract
The involvement of men in the concept and treatment of reproductive health has only been in the context of the supportive roles they are expected to play without taking cognizance of the fact that men also have reproductive health needs. Till date, the impact of male reproductive health challenges within the conjugal relationship has not been brought to limelight or conspicuous in the literature. This study examined male reproductive health challenges and conjugal relationship among the Yoruba in the Southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The study locations consist of eight wards that were randomly selected from two local government areas chosen from the two states that were selected from the Southwest geopolitical zone in Nigeria. The target population consists of married men with reproductive health challenges and their spouses. Both quantitative and qualitative research techniques were adopted in the data gathering. The structured interview covered 432 husbands and 435 wives that were selected following “key-informant-leading approach”. Six focus group discussions were held in the two states of study among two age groups of (15-34 years) and (35-74 years). In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with stakeholders. Quantitative data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Five models were specified with each taking its root from the conceptual framework. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis that was moderated with content observation technique. The first model considered the interrelationships between selected socio-demographic characteristics and male reproductive health diseases. In this model, age (p-value = 0.0000), religion (Christianity, p-value = 0.001, Islam, p-value = 0.018), occupational status (p-value = 0.000) and education (p = 0.0000) were significantly related to the incidence of male reproductive health challenges. Those in ages 15-34 years and 35-54 years are 27.7 and 5.5 times more likely to experience male reproductive health diseases than those in age group 55-74 (the reference category) at p-value of 0.000. Christians and Muslims are 19.6 times and 8.6 times more likely to have male reproductive health challenges than those that practice traditional religion. Model II estimated the effects of male reproductive health challenges on marital satisfaction. It revealed that prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, low sperm count and gonorrhea are negatively associated with marital satisfaction. However, only erectile dysfunction and low sperm count are statistically significant at p-value of 0.005 and 0.0053 respectively. The analysis revealed that where the husband experiences erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer or gonorrhea, the couples are 0.064, 0.898 and 0.583 times (respectively) less likely to enjoy marital satisfaction. The third model shows that age group 35-54 years, higher educational attainment and couple’s income are negatively associated with couple’s closeness. It revealed that wives would likely stay with their husbands irrespective of sexual health dysfunction if they earn higher income. However, higher educational attainment are negatively related with couple’s closeness where the challenge is present. Prominent among the coping strategies employed by the affected wives are: seeking intervention from their religious leaders (p-value = 0000), violent behaviour (p-value = 0.000) while those that report to family’s doctor would be 16.742 times more likely to keep their marriage. Other models revealed that age groups 15-34 years and 35-54 years are negatively related to changing sexual pattern (p-values = 0.023 and 0.019 respectively). The result indicated that wives in higher occupational cadre such as senior executive, senior military officer and middle officers would be 0.050, 0.216 and 0.367 times less likely to change their sexual pattern compared to the unemployed. Where spouses are staying or sleeping together, there exists 0.271 less likelihood of the wife looking for other sexual partners. The study concludes that age, education and religious affiliation are vital in the assessment of the incidence of male reproductive health challenges. It is paramount for marriage counselors, social workers and other health officials to focus on erectile dysfunction and low sperm count as major determinants of sustainable marriage and marital happiness. Governments and other stakeholders should focus on massive public awareness on male reproductive health diseases in order to promote happiness in conjugal relationship. The author therefore suggests women empowerment and establishment of robust specialized reproductive healthcare services in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria for effective servicing of the health needs of men who are experiencing any sexual problem. Finally, the prevalence of these challenges in the study locations should be seen as window of opportunity for therapists to find solutions.
| Item Type: | Thesis (["eprint_fieldopt_thesis_type_phd" not defined]) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) |
| Divisions: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Emmanuel O. Amoo |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Mar 2015 14:41 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Mar 2015 14:41 |
| URI: | http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/4095 |
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