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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 8, No. 9

Publication Date: September 25, 2021

DOI:10.14738/assrj.89.10929. Adodo, A. (2021). Ethnography of Health and Illness Behaviour in Nigeria. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 8(9). 451-

459.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Ethnography of Health and Illness Behaviour in Nigeria

Anselm Adodo, PhD

Research Associate, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

ABSTRACT

The ineffective initiatives to tackle Nigeria's various health issues have contributed

to the marginal change in health outcomes. Besides ignoring the value of tackling

public health problems, it will make the situation even worse for vulnerable

Nigerians that frequently remain at the wrong end. This work followed a conceptual

measure to explain the targets and purpose of the work comprehensively.

The study was information was sourced from the Nigerian Ministry of Health

through their web search engines, rational analysis and necessary documentation.

The main challenges that public health is facing in Nigeria seem to be communicable

diseases, vector control on some diseases, maternal deaths, child mortality rates,

improper sanitation, hygiene, disease control, non - contagious diseases, and the

issue of injuries from some diseases road accidents and many more. At the moment,

Nigeria is struggling to accomplish strategic development goals. However, given

coordinated action by the Nigerian Government, funding organisations, including

NGOs, provide healthcare efficiently and effectively in Nigeria.

Keywords: hiv/aids, malaria, maternal mortality, public health

INTRODUCTION

Nigeria, which is the largest black nation in Africa going by the population, has a population of

over 200 million persons spread across six geopolitical zones. Nigeria also has more than 250

ethnic groups with rich varying cultures, traditions, and religious views. Health issues in Nigeria

have been daunting, but they need to be addressed utilising health service philosophies to

enhance reliability in this essential part of the globe (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention,

2013). According to Faisal, Jamil, & Chowdhury (2017), Nigeria's major health issues include

communicable diseases, maternal mortality, child mortality, inadequate nutrition and hygiene

practices, disease control, non-communicable diseases, and also road traffic casualties.

Notwithstanding the combined exploit of the Nigerian Government with several Non- Governmental Organisations to provide securely and reliably health care services in Nigeria,

mainstream issues make those exploit far less beyond desirable(Agboola, 2019) The hiccups

are health challenges that appear to be either evolving or in the form of the outbreak which

includes HIV/AIDS pandemic, contagious diseases (which includes Ebola, LASSA fever, yellow

fever, malaria, corona-virus), low salaries and wages for healthcare professionals, low standard

of treatment, uneven distribution of medical facilities, and heterosexism in the recruitment of

medical staff and several others, in addition, statistics on the global level have shown that

malaria and HIV continue to be the number one factor of mortality in Nigeria, killing well over

190,000 and 130,000 individuals alike(Agboola, 2019). However, the study seeks to explore the

ethnography of health and illness in Nigeria. In the simplest definition, ethnography is the

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Adodo, A. (2021). Ethnography of Health and Illness Behaviour in Nigeria. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 8(9). 451-459.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.89.10929

Nigeria seems to have 2,9 million individuals that are living with HIV/AIDS. This is based on the

report by Elvis, Akinola, & Ikeoluwapo (2015). This appears to be the third-largest all over the

world, only surpassed by India and South Africa. The report also revealed that over 930,000

children had been rendered orphan as a result of the outbreak of HIV/AIDS. This reinforced the

results reported by the United States Agency for International Development (2018) which

stated that Nigeria is with the second-highest number of persons living with HIV worldwide

and represents about nine% of the worldwide prevalence of HIV.

The US government is presently assisting over 600,000 Nigerians with life-enhancing HIV

therapy via the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which represents 90% of

the persons living with HIV/AIDS within the region. The program provides support and care

for over one million orphaned Nigerian children that appear to be vulnerable as a result of the

HIV/AIDS pandemic. USAID (2018) subsequently reported that Nigeria seems to have the

world's highest malaria prevalence that appears to be the primary source of childhood disorder

and mortality(Agboola, 2019).

Bolaji (2016)claimed that the Department of Public Health's responsibility for Public Safety

emergency preparation and response and also Disease avoidance and management under the

FMOH did not make a significant contribution to issues other than the public health mission as

established by the Institute of Medicine ( IOM), which fulfils the interest of society in ensuring

conditions in which people can be safe. Annually Nigeria registers an epidemic of various

infectious illnesses that in their thousands kill innocent Nigerians.

Notwithstanding the frequent outbreak incidence, Nigeria has failed to set up an appropriate

and reliable framework for emergency management and disease control(Elvis, Akinola, &

Ikeoluwapo, 2015). The constitutes the reason why the FMOH Department of Public Health