PERCEPTION OF FIBROID AMONG CELIBATEWOMEN IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

• Published in: International journal of sociology of the family Vol. 45; no. 1/2; pp. 55 - 70
• Main Authors: IGBOLEKWU, CHISAA O., NWOKOCHA, EZEBUNWA E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Serials Publications 01-01-2019
• ISSN: 0020-7667

Uterine fibroid is a major health challenge especially among African women. Studies on fibroid had focused largely on the biomédical aspect of this health condition among non-celibate sexually active women, particularly with regard to its effects on the fecundity status of such women with future fertility intentions. However, little attention has been given to the social issues related to fibroid among Celibatewomen (also known as Reverend Sisters). This study, which anchored on the Health Belief Model, examined the perception of fibroid among Celibate-women in the Catholic Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan, Nigeria, classified in literature among the most vulnerable groups. Data were collected with 370 copies of a questionnaire administered on Celibate-women through a total population sampling technique. Key informant interviews were conducted among 28 purposively selected respondents. Findings reveal that about 90% of the respondents perceived fibroid as treatable, 92% stated that fibroid occurred mainly in sexually inactive women, 41% described it as chronic and 49% perceived it as an acute condition. Celibate-women in the Catholic Ecclesiastical province of Ibadan had diverse perceptions about fibroid which invariably influenced their health seeking behaviour.