Authors : R.A. Shehu, S.A. Onasanya, H.A. Uthman and D.A. Baba
Abstract: The study examined the health implications and educational media strategies of widowhood practices in Niger state, Nigeria. The focus of the study was to find out if there is correlation between the widowhood practices in Niger state and their health implications. Three research hypotheses were formulated for the study. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The study population comprised of widows, widowers and everyone concerned with caring and management of widows. Three hundred widows were randomly selected among women in Niger state. Data for the study were collected through the use of self developed questionnaire that have been scrutinized and validated by some experts in the area of study. Test-retest reliability techniques was used to determine the reliability status of the instrument. A reliability result of 0.82 r was obtained, which showed that the instrument was reliable. Data collected were analysed with the use of frequency counts and pearson product moment correlation coefficient to show the direction of findings of the study. The result of the study shows that there were significant relationship between emotional, physical and social health of the widows and widowhood practices in Niger state. Based on the findings, the researchers recommend that state public and private health agencies and religion organizations in Niger state should mount a serious educational media campaign against inhuman treatment meted out to the widows. It was also recommended that women should be empowered and made to be self reliant to know their right during widowhood period.
R.A. Shehu, S.A. Onasanya, H.A. Uthman and D.A. Baba, 2010. Health Implications and Educational Media Strategies of Widowhood Practices in Niger State, Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 7: 101-105.