International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology

International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology ISSN 2756-3820 Vol. 13 (7), pp. 001-007, July, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Researcher vulnerability: An overlooked issue in vulnerability discourses

Amos Laar

Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Box LG 13 Legon, Accra, Ghana.

Received 25 February, 2024; Accepted 15 April, 2024

Abstract

Although widely referred to in research, vulnerability is arguably not well understood by both researchers and research regulators. Authoritative sources including dictionaries, ethics encyclopedia, and esteemed authorities in the field of ethics offer little help; multiple definitional perspectives exist on the subject. Efforts have been made to clarify a component of vulnerability in research – ‘participant vulnerability’. There is no closure on this subject of what participant vulnerability is or should be. Researchers, just as the researched may be vulnerable in some instances. This is designated and discussed in this paper as ‘researcher vulnerability’. While acknowledging the emphases that regulators place on protecting vulnerable study participants, the paper argues that this should not be interpreted to imply that researchers are immune to vulnerability. The paper articulates the many and varied challenges that researchers confront in research. Such experiences speak to the fact that researcher vulnerability may vary in meaning among contexts, but can be contextually defined and understood as a cross-cutting concept.

Key words: Vulnerability, researcher vulnerability, human subjects research, vulnerable populations, vulnerable researcher.

International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology ISSN 2756-3820 Vol. 13 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Understanding Factors Influencing Cervical Screening Participation Among Women in Rural Nigeria

Abiodun Olumide A.¹*, Fatungase Olatunbosun K.² and Olu-Abiodun Oluwatosin O.³

¹Department of Community Medicine, Babcock University, Ilishan, Ogun State, Nigeria.
²Ogun State Agency for the Control of AIDS, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
³School of Nursing, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Received 12 September, 2024; Accepted 26 March, 2024

Abstract

Cervical screening is effective in mitigating the morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer. However, the uptake of cervical screening is still unsatisfactory in many countries. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and perception of rural Nigerian women about cervical cancer and screening. The study also investigated the predictors of cervical screening. A survey with interviewer administered questionnaires was conducted on 800 Nigerian women recruited from households in Ogun State by a multi-staged sampling method. Participants were aged 25 to 64 years. Proportion of respondents with very poor knowledge and poor perception about cervical cancer were 93.9 and 94%, respectively. Hence, it is not surprising that the uptake of cervical screening is abysmally low (3.9%). Age, knowledge and perception about cervical cancer were related to uptake of cervical screening; however, only perception about cervical cancer was found to predict the uptake of cervical screening. There is a need for deliberate multi strategy program to enhance cervical screening. The strategy must include creation of awareness, health promotion and education about cervical cancer and screening. The strategies should target improving the perception of women about cervical cancer and screening.

Key words: Cervical cancer, uptake of cervical screening, knowledge, perception and predictors.
 

International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology ISSN 2756-3820 Vol. 13 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Perceptions of pre-marital genetic screening among polytechnic students in Osun State, Nigeria

Odelola, J.O.¹, Adisa, O.² and Akintaro, O.A.¹*

¹Human Kinetics and Health Education Department, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
²Physical and Health Education Department, Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun, Nigeria.

Accepted 8 January, 2024

Abstract

This study investigated the attitude towards pre-marital genetic screening among students of Osun State Polytechnics. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. The instrument for data collection was self developed and structured questionnaire in four- point likert scale format. Descriptive statistics of frequency count and percentages were used to describe the demographic data, while the parametric statistics of t-test and ANOVA set at 0.05 alpha level were used to test the hypotheses. A total number of one thousand, one hundred and sixty-five (1,165) Higher National Diploma (HND) students served as respondents for the study. Multistage sampling technique was used in three stages to select the respondents, namely: purposive sampling technique was used to select the schools; stratified sampling technique was used to select the Faculties and Departments, while proportionate sample of 25% was selected from each stratum. Three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The following were the values obtained: Difference in Attitude towards Pre-marital Genetic Screening (Crit-t = 1.96, Cal.t = 1.310, df = 1163, P>.05); Difference in Attitude Due to Religion (F(2,1162) = .689, P>.05) and Difference in Attitude Due to Course of Study (F(5,1159) = .585, P>.05). Conclusions were drawn based on the findings of the study. The study recommended, among other things, that religious organizations should serve as useful channels to disseminate health information since people always have respect for places of worship and religious leaders. Also, Health Education should be incorporated into the curriculum of Polytechnics.

Key words: Attitude, pre-marital, polytechnics, genetic disorders, screening, blood group.

International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology ISSN 2756-3820 Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-009, April, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Integrating Argumentation in Bioethics Education: A Case Study on Genetically Modified Organisms and Genetic Screening

Melike Özer Keskin¹*, Nilay Keskin Samanci¹, Hale Yaman²

¹Faculty of Education, Biology Education Department, Gazi University, Turkey. *Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].
²Mutlu Yasam College, Turkey.

Accepted 21 January, 2024

Abstract

Nowadays, there is a need in science education to consider scientific research and its applications alongside ethical consensus. Even though classroom debates of value issues have been demonstrated to significantly contribute to the raising of social consciousness and awareness, research shows that neither academics in higher education nor teachers in primary and secondary education deal with these issues sufficiently in their classes. In this study, the “Framework for Teaching Bioethics” was used in tackling the ethical issues about ‘Genetic Screening Tests’ (GST) and ‘Genetically Modified Organisms’ (GMOs). The present study examined the effect of “Framework for Teaching Bioethics” on students’ argumentation quality and on students’ ethical values which students consider while they are deciding about the ethical dilemmas. Also the contribution of individuals’ content knowledge on the argumentation quality was examined. In this study a quasi-experimental pre-post test design was used. The participants of the study were biology teacher candidates (n=38). Achievement Test (AT) and Bioethical Values Instrument (BVI) were used as data collection tools. Also interviews were conducted with 12 of participants, who were selected according to their AT scores. During interviews, participants advanced their positions about ethical dilemmas, which were about genetically modified organisms and genetic screening tests. Participants’ arguments assessed in terms of justifications and their scientific grounds based on a four point rubric (Argumentation Quality Rubric). Results indicate that “Framework for Teaching Bioethics” significantly affected students’ argumentation quality and content knowledge was not significant factor for prediction of argumentation quality.

Key words: Bioethics education, socioscientific issues, argumentation, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), genetic screening.

International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology ISSN 2756-3820 Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-012, March, 2024. https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/© International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Narrative analysis on adversities in seeking oral healthcare among female caregivers of children with HIV/AIDS in a low-income setting: Voices of the women
                                               

Masiga Mary Atieno¹, Wandibba Simiyu²

¹Department of Dental Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
²Institute of Anthropology, Gender & African Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Received 21 October, 2023; Accepted 18 December, 2023 and Published 21 April, 2024

Abstract

It is often reported that women from low-income settings face numerous adversities in seeking healthcare, yet, their voices are often unheard. The objective of this paper is to appraise the adversities that female caregivers of children with HIV/AIDS experience in utilizing oral healthcare within the healthcare system in Nairobi City County (NCC), Kenya.  The study methodology was mixed methods. Firstly, quantitative data was collected on the socio-demographic variables of 221 female caregivers attending the HIV-care facilities at three major hospitals in NCC; namely Gertrude Children’s Hospital (GCH), Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), and Mbagathi County Referral Hospital (MCRH). This was followed by qualitative data collection on first-hand accounts of the caregivers’ experiences in utilizing oral healthcare for themselves and their children. The paper is founded on qualitative data as depicted in Case Narratives (CN) among the women. The findings of the narratives portrayed significant constraints and adversities suffered by the women, prevailed upon by financial constraints, limited oral health literacy, and health information and an ineffectually responsive healthcare system, lacking in purposeful and psychosocial support for the women.  We concluded that contextual individual factors and innate characteristics of the healthcare system confer adversities in the utilization of oral healthcare services and caregivers’ utilization of oral healthcare in NCC.
 
Keywords: Adversities, oral healthcare utilization, female caregivers, children with HV/AIDS.
 

International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology ISSN 2756-3820 Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-012, February, 2024. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Perceptions of key figures on the capacity of the Romanian healthcare system to address population needs

Constanța MIHĂESCU-PINȚIA^1,2, Rodica PAMFILIE², Aurelia ȘTEFĂNESCU³*, Narcis COPCA⁴ and Marian Vladimir CONSTANTINESCU⁵

¹National School of Public Health, Management and Professional Development, 31 Vaselor Street, Sector 2, 021254 Bucharest, Romania.

²Faculty of Commerce, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, Romania.

³Faculty of Accounting and Management Information Systems, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, Romania.

⁴"St.Maria" Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.

⁵Faculty of Dentistry, "Carol Davila" Medical University, Romania.

Accepted 4 November, 2023

Abstract

Difficulties of Romanian healthcare system generated by “Semasko inheritance”, a decision making process not properly substantiated, inadequate administration of resources, continuous change of regulations, health reform discontinuity, poor endowment of many health facilities and migration of medical personnel, within the low economic development in comparison with EU and country potential, have a significant impact on health services utilization and consequently, on population health status. Although social health insurance fund increased 10 times during 1999 to 2008, its positive effects on health system and health status can hardly be noticed. Within this context, our research questionnaire-based, aims to investigate the opinion of key persons from all relevant actors, regarding Romanian system capacity to respond to healthcare needs of population. Although population perception on healthcare has been studied many times in Romania, there was a lack of research among key professionals in order to produce skilful opinions and competent recommendations. This study started with a synthesis of main approaches and findings published on this subject. Most respondents reasoned the limited responsiveness of Romanian healthcare system to specific needs by: poor achievement of system functions, relative adequacy of reforms to necessities, under-financing, excessive politicization, poor management, inefficient use of resources, improper health infrastructure, medical personnel dissatisfaction, etc. Respondents identified areas for priority action and proposed alternative solutions to currents problems, shaping a new managerial model for the health system. We think that grading the Romanian healthcare system with a six in average by key respondents, confirms the discrepancy in structure and quality between the health services demand and supply, representing a useful tool for redefinition of reforms according to real needs and expectations.

Key words: Healthcare system, responsiveness, healthcare needs, health services supply, Romania, key persons.