INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

In many communities in sub-Saharan Africa, pregnancy is viewed as a ‘woman’s affair’, with a man’s role primarily to provide financial support. Even where men view accompanying their partner to antenatal clinics or PMTCT services as good practice, many still feels their main role is to provide financing for registration and delivery fees (Nkuoh, 2010).

In many settings, traditional gender roles and cultural beliefs mean that men often make decisions determining women’s participation in HIV testing. For example, according to recent Demographic and Health Surveys in Senegal, Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Cameroon, 80% of married 15-19 year-old women do not have the final say on their own healthcare (Pathfinder International 2013). Men also report negative attitudes from community members when escorting their spouses to antenatal clinics.

1.2 Statement of the study

Because of cultural beliefs, most men do not like to accompany their wives to the antenatal clinics. Men who accompany their wives to ANC are perceived to be weaklings by their peers. For this reason, this pertinent question formed the birth rock of this study:  what are the cultural beliefs and gender dynamics of pmtct services among pregnant women.

1.3 Objectives of the study

The main objective of this study is to examine diabetes a leading causes of death in Nigeria, how nurses through education and health promotion could increase diabetes awareness among Nigeria. But for the successful completion of the study; the researcher intends to achieve the following sub-objectives;

i. To investigate the causes of diabetes in Nigeria

ii. To ascertain the extent of diabetes awareness carryout by Nigeria Government

iii. To investigate the role of health practitioners in reducing the adverse effect of diabetes

iv. To suggest possible solution to the identified problem.

1.4 Research Hypothesis

The following hypothesis have been prepared for the study:

H0: health practitioners do not play any role in reducing the adverse effect of diabetes

H1: health practitioners does play a role in reducing the adverse effect of diabetes

H02: there are no diabetes awareness programs carried out by the government own medical centers in the rural communities

H2: there is diabetes awareness programs carried out by the government own medical centers in the rural communities

1.5 Significance of the study

It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will be of benefit to ministry of health. The study educates nurses on how to educate, prevent and manage diabetes. The study will also be of great benefit to the researchers who intends to embark on research on similar topics as it will serve as a guide. Finally, the study will be of great importance to academia’s, lecturers, teachers, students and the general public.

1.6 Scope of the study

The study will investigate the causes of diabetes in Nigeria. The study will also ascertain the extent of diabetes awareness carryout by Nigeria Government. The study will further investigate the role of health practitioners in reducing the adverse effect of diabetes. Lastly, the study will suggest possible solution to the identified problem. Hence, the study is delimited to the state specialist hospital Akure, Ondo State.

1.7 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the large literature on the  discourse of diabetes as a leading causes of death in Nigeria,. Thus much time and organization was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection. Also the study is limited in sample size and geography covering only Ondo State.