JORMA International Journal of Health and Social Sciences
JORMA International Journal of Health and Social Sciences (JORMA IJHSS) is a peer-reviewed platform for interdisciplinary research that fosters innovation and global collaboration, featuring regular issues, expert opinion, decolonial scholarship, and notable lives across diverse fields such as general health, allied health, public health, psychology, sociology, education, and research methodologies.
The professional is political: Postcolonial Impacts on Palestinian School Counselling Professional Identities
This paper explores the postcolonial impacts on Palestinian School Counselling Professional Identities (SCPI), examining how school counsellors perceive their roles and responsibilities in a settler-colonial context characterized by historical power gaps and ongoing political violence. Deploying postcolonial theories and discourse analysis, I analyzed semi-structured interviews with 21 Palestinian school counsellors who work in Palestinian schools in Israel and follow the Israeli school counselling regulations. The findings revealed that Palestinian SCPIs are structured on an intersection between resistance and internalized oppression, reflecting professional attitudes and practices that may reproduce colonial oppression or empower students through counselling interventions. The results also reveal that the current Palestinian SCPIs stretch back to an ongoing history of Israeli negligence policies towards Palestinian minority and the lack of multicultural competencies in counselling trainings. Although focused on the Palestinian context, this study is relevant to mental health professions in the global south and Indigenous communities, highlighting the significant impacts of political contexts on mental health professions. The study also invites international mental health practitioners and researchers to reassess ethical roles and responsibilities in oppressive and politicized spaces and asymmetric power.
Copyright (c) 2026 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Insomnia and Idiopathic Hypersomnia in Clinical Cases of Repetitive Negative Thinking
Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is excessive and repetitive thinking about future worry or concern and rumination on past experiences that are difficult to eradicate. Studies have linked cognitive intrusions such as RNTs to sleep problems like insomnia; however, not much is known about the link with idiopathic hypersomnia. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult for the sufferer to fall asleep or remain asleep, while idiopathic hypersomnia refers to a disorder that causes the sufferer to become excessively sleepy and or have difficulties in waking up from sleep, such as prolonged sleep. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of repetitive negative thinking (RNT) in insomnia and idiopathic hypersomnia in clinical cases of RNT. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used in this qualitative case study involving clinical participants (n = 5 cases, all females, age = 35 and above) with anxiety disorders, depression, and an addictive behaviour. Results showed that Insomnia and Idiopathic Hypersomnia were linked with RNT. RNT had a physiological impact on insomnia and idiopathic hypersomnia through its association with fatigue and severe migraines. This study suggests that idiopathic hypersomnia may be linked to RNT, though more research is needed in this area.
Diagnostic clarity: Re-evaluating a clinical case for social anxiety disorder diagnosis in comorbid presentations
Diagnostic clarity plays a vital role in the effective treatment and recovery of individuals with anxiety disorders. Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) frequently co-occur, yet SAD often remains undiagnosed in individuals who are primarily identified with GAD. This oversight can exacerbate the symptoms of both disorders, thus complicating treatment and hindering recovery. This paper explores the impact of missed comorbid diagnoses through a case study of "Rex", an individual initially diagnosed with GAD. Using a qualitative method, this paper draws on personal narratives to examine Rex’s experiences. Findings reveal that Rex’s symptoms align closely with the diagnostic criteria for SAD as outlined in the DSM-5-TR, despite the absence of a formal SAD diagnosis. The analysis highlights how the unrecognised presence of SAD contributed to persistent social avoidance, and the heightening of the symptoms of both disorders, causing functional impairment and poorer treatment outcomes. This paper highlights the importance of comprehensive diagnostic assessments in anxiety disorders, particularly when symptoms of GAD and SAD overlap. It advocates for the implementation of treatment strategies that target social fears in SAD. Furthermore, it was recommended that periodical reassessments become an integral part of care plans to be sure that no evolving or missed symptoms are left uncaptured. By emphasising the significance of diagnostic precision and personalised care, this paper contributes to a more nuanced understanding of anxiety comorbidity and its implications for mental health practice.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Evaluating the use of prone positioning for young children with acute respiratory distress syndrome
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) refers to a severe condition in which the lungs fail to provide enough oxygen to vital organs of the body (NHS, 2020), and it is usually linked with multiple organ failure (Matthay, Ware, & Zimmerman, 2012). Aim: To evaluate the use of prone positioning for young children with acute respiratory distress syndrome. This review follows the Cochrane Collaboration protocol framework and uses a comprehensive search strategy across databases, including CINAHL Plus, Medline via PubMed, and Cochrane Library. Despite conflicting evidence, most studies indicate that prone positioning enhances oxygen levels and reduces mortality in severe ARDS cases.
The psychological impact of COVID‐19 on students and academics at a Higher Education Institution in the United Kingdom
This study investigates the psychological impact of COVID‐19 on students and academics at a Higher Education Institution in the UK. We used critical reflective writing, in which ten students and ten lecturers wrote a short reflection (approximately 200 words) on their experience of the lockdown prior to the study. Secondly, transcriptions were gathered for analysis. Inductive Thematic Analysis was selected as the preferred method of investigation to identify, analyse, and report themes from the dataset. The specific study aims were: (a) to present an empirical investigation into the psychological impact of COVID‐19, (b) to explore the interplay between social isolation and mental health, and (c) to examine how the affected individuals understand their experiences. The health impact of COVID-19 included physiological and mental health aspects and reflected the importance of teacher and student psychological wellbeing for teaching and learning. The paper highlights that there is a need for psycho-social crisis prevention and intervention models tailored to support students' and academics' psychological wellbeing, arguing that considerations should be made to adjust expectations from students in relation to progression, and staff, in relation to workload.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Preventive and Pharmacological Interventions for Stroke: A Narrative Review of Evidence, Challenges, and Future Directions
Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide, exerting a significant burden on individuals, healthcare systems, and economies. Preventive strategies are critical in reducing the incidence and recurrence of stroke, especially among populations at high risk due to modifiable and non-modifiable factors. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions aimed at stroke prevention. It begins by examining key modifiable risk factors, such as hypertension, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity. Hypertension, in particular, is highlighted as the most impactful risk factor, with studies showing that even modest reductions in blood pressure can significantly decrease stroke risk. Similarly, smoking cessation and regular physical activity are strongly associated with a reduced likelihood of stroke events. The review also explores pharmacological measures, including antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies. Aspirin remains a widely used antiplatelet agent, especially in secondary prevention, although its efficacy must be balanced against potential bleeding risks. Alternatives like clopidogrel and combinations such as dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) are examined considering recent clinical trial evidence. In patients with atrial fibrillation, anticoagulants such as warfarin and newer direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) like apixaban have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing stroke risk with varying safety profiles. This review identifies ongoing challenges, including patient adherence, personalized therapy decisions, and the need for broader public health implementation of preventive strategies. It concludes by highlighting the importance of integrating lifestyle interventions with individualized pharmacological treatments to optimise stroke prevention. Further research is recommended to refine these strategies and address existing gaps in knowledge, particularly in low-resource settings where the stroke burden continues to rise.
Decolonial Scholarship: A collective intervention for epistemic justice
Epistemic Violence in Psychological Research: Unveiling Bias in Methodology, Methods, and the Peer Review Process
The concept of epistemic violence, which defines the oppression of knowledge systems and knowers, has become more significant when applied to psychological research. The article interrogates epistemic violence through the examination of research design, as well as methodological paradigms and methods, and the peer review process. This paper examines how mainstream psychological science creates epistemic exclusion by favouring Western positivist approaches over indigenous experiential and non-normative ways of knowing through the lens of postcolonial theory, feminist epistemology, and critical psychology. The methodological gatekeeping together with disciplinary conventions and reviewer biases operate as mechanisms that lead to epistemic marginalisation of research produced by scholars from historically excluded communities. The article suggests strategies for improving research inclusivity and epistemic justice in academic culture, including methodological pluralism, reflexive research approaches, and changes to peer review procedures. The analysis aims to advance existing efforts for psychological knowledge decolonisation and academic publishing equity enhancement.
Decolonising Antiracism: A Collective Intervention in Race, Resistance, & Identity
This article argues that any antiracist initiative that continues to rely on upholding the colonial fiction and practices of human “races” merely repackages Eurocolonial domination. Drawing on decolonial theory, epistemic-justice scholarship, African and Africana philosophies of relation, and the togetherness Wayfinder framework, the HARMONY model, and Justice AI GPT, we demonstrate how contemporary antiracism frequently reproduces the very hierarchies it seeks to dismantle while presenting alternative pathways toward a future without racism. We synthesise perspectives from Sheena Michele Mason, Shayla Sima Dube, and Christian Ortiz to outline a paradigm that lends itself to the abolition of the belief in and practice of race, and thereby racism itself, without erasing culture, lineage, or collective struggle. Our contribution is fourfold: (1) a brief genealogy of “racelessness” in African and Africana thought, (2) a critique of epistemicide and “white-comfort engineering” that co-opts liberation discourses, (3) an exposition of “racelessness” as the logical endpoint of antiracism, and (4) a practical roadmap for reclaiming identity and creating a future without antiblack racism through land, language, and lineage.
The Epistemology and Ontology of School Counselling in a Colonial Ethnocentric Education System
This paper critiques the politics of Israeli school counselling and the values underlying this profession in a settler-colonial context. It addresses the research question: How do economic, sociocultural, and political forces shape Israeli school counselling? Deploying post-structural frameworks of power/knowledge, as well as postcolonial and decolonial thoughts, we conduct a discourse analysis of the Israeli school counselling profession, unpacking its ideologies and functions in a settler-colonial region. Using Foucauldian genealogy as a methodology, we analyse ninety-four interdisciplinary archival documents, historical incidents, and policies to uncover the political-economic values and morality embedded in school counselling. Our findings reveal that settler-colonial practices and Zionist political-economic interests have shaped the profession, turning school counsellors into subsidiary authorities that perpetuate Zionist ideology and justify colonisation through mental health interventions. In conclusion, this research illuminates that Israeli school counselling is not a culturally neutral or universally beneficent profession but, instead, a paradigmatic case of how mental health professions can be instrumentalised by the state to further colonial and ethnonationalist agendas. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of critiquing the political-economic agendas that influence professional institutions, educational and mental health leadership roles, and their broader societal implications.
Since the Beginning of the World: Decolonial Knowledge and Healing Practices among Pitaguary Elders in Brazil
This paper presents a decolonial trajectory of Participatory Action Research (PAR) conducted with the Pitaguary Indigenous people of Ceará, Brazil. The research emerged in response to a collective demand to strengthen the psychosocial care network for Pitaguary elders, the guardians of ancestral knowledge and traditional healing practices. Through community-based actions including workshops, storytelling, and artistic production, the project co-constructed a space for the revitalisation of Indigenous knowledge. Drawing on oral histories and field diaries, the paper explores Pitaguary's understanding of health as deeply interconnected with territory, ancestry, spirituality, and art. Traditional practices such as ceramic and straw weaving are highlighted as both therapeutic and acts of resistance. By privileging indigenous epistemologies, the paper affirms health as a collective, relational, and aesthetic process, challenging Western paradigms and contributing to epistemic justice and the defence of cultural sovereignty.
Exploring Ubuntu Values through Appreciative Inquiry: A Workshop-based Engagement with Health Care Professionals at a South African Higher Education Institution
The Ubuntu philosophy, rooted in the values of community, care, respect, hospitality, and human interconnectedness, has increasingly been acknowledged as a vital framework for transforming education, particularly within the African context. Originating from Southern Africa, Ubuntu has influenced global discourses, resonating with similar philosophies in Asia and Europe, and championed by influential figures such as Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. This study explores how Ubuntu values can enhance teaching, learning, and practice in higher education through a workshop-based engagement with healthcare professionals at a South African Higher Education Institution in Limpopo Province. Using a qualitative approach grounded in Appreciative Inquiry (AI), the study aimed to uncover the potential of Ubuntu in rehumanising education and patient care amid prevailing neoliberal and colonial education systems. A one-day workshop involving thirty-two participants (26 health educators and six facilitators) was conducted, focusing on Ubuntu values in patient care through scenario-based discussions. Participants were purposively sampled from the Faculty of Health Sciences, representing disciplines such as Nursing, Pharmacy, Dietetics, and Optometry. Data were collected through focus group discussions and were analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six-step framework in ATLAS.ti. Four major themes emerged, corresponding to the AI phases: Discovery (important values in healthcare), Dream (collaboration and teamwork), Design (overlooked Ubuntu values), and Destiny (values not specific to healthcare). The findings highlight the relevance of Ubuntu in enhancing humanised care and call for the integration of indigenous philosophies into academic curricula. The study advocates for systemic efforts to train educators in Ubuntu values to foster inclusive and culturally grounded higher education.
Non-Binary Trajectories as Epistemic Insurgency: On Decolonial Disobedience in Developmental Psychology
Taking gender dissidence as a form of epistemic disobedience, this article engages critically with dominant paradigms in developmental psychology by interrogating the normative frameworks that regulate intelligibility, pathologised differences, and delimit what counts as “normal” development. Bridging the Cultural Psychology of semiotic dynamics and Decolonial Studies, it examines interview narratives of non-binary individuals, considering how they generate meaning in relation to themselves, alterities, and sociocultural realities. Meaning-making occurs through ambivalent processes that both negotiate with and disrupt modern-colonial logics embedded in psychological knowledge. Four self-defined non-binary adults (aged 26–30) living in Brasília, Brazil participated in this qualitative study, which employed semi-structured interviews, the go-along method, and a reflection group; each functioning as "dispositifs" for the co-construction of narratives. These materials were analysed in an integrated design encompassing all three moments. The analysis unfolds through four interwoven thematic axes: (1) resistance as a constitutive force in meaning-making; (2) the polyphonic character of non-binarity and its entanglements with racialisation; (3) dealing with classificatory regimes such as “gender dysphoria”; and (4) institutional violence in psychotherapy. Therefore, dissident ways of living emerge as a site of insurgent knowledge, destabilising binary logics and activating new ways of knowing, theorising, and existing within and beyond the discipline. By bringing to the centre embodied lives historically erased or pathologised by psychology, the article advocates for an epistemic reorientation grounded in political accountability, situated onto-epistemologies, and commitment to reimagining psychological science in response to the complexities of the present and plural forms of life.
Bacteriological Examination of Water from Different Sources in a Tertiary Institution in Nigeria
Water, composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, is the only naturally occurring inorganic liquid and remains the most abundant, essential, and indispensable resource on Earth. This study aimed to conduct a bacteriological assessment of water from four distinct sources within Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State. The sources investigated were: the AAU Dam, hostel water tanks, sachet water, and bottled water. Results indicated that the AAU Dam water exhibited the highest total bacterial count at 8.0 × 10⁴ cfu/mL, followed by hostel tank water (6.4 × 10⁴ cfu/mL), bottled water (5.6 × 10⁴ cfu/mL), and sachet water, which had the lowest count at 3.2 × 10⁴ cfu/mL. The most probable number (MPN) of coliforms per 100 mL ranged from 24 to 92, with the AAU Dam showing the highest value. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that Ciprofloxacin, Augmentin, Pefloxacin, Tarivid, and Sparfloxacin exhibited 100% effectiveness against all bacterial isolates, while Amoxicillin showed intermediate activity. Notably, Staphylococcus aureus displayed resistance to four antibiotics. The presence of pathogenic bacteria in these water sources underscores a significant public health concern. It is recommended that all water sources—including tap, borehole, sachet, and bottled water—be adequately treated before consumption. Regulatory agencies such as NAFDAC should enforce strict compliance with water safety standards, particularly in the production and distribution of packaged sachet water. Achieving this objective requires a coordinated effort among manufacturers, consumers, and the government to safeguard public health.
A Deep Learning-Based Skin Cancer Detection with ResNet50V2
Skin cancer is a prevalent global health concern, with melanoma being particularly dangerous due to its potential to metastasise. Researchers have harnessed deep learning techniques, specifically transfer learning, to create an automated classification system for skin lesions. This system can be especially valuable in areas with limited medical resources. The study leverages pre-trained convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and transfer learning. Using Google Collab and a dataset attached via Google Drive, skin lesion images were analysed. The dataset from the International Skin Imaging Collaboration (ISIC) was divided into eight classes, with “Melanocytic Nevus” being the most common (51% of data). Augmentation was applied to address overfitting. Comparing the sequential CNN and pre-trained ResNet50V2 models, both achieved over 60% accuracy. While ResNet50V2 had slightly better accuracy, the sequential model exhibited greater stability in validation results. Notably, segmentation techniques were not employed due to image-specific challenges. This research contributes to improving skin cancer diagnosis and underscores the potential of AI in healthcare. Doctors can benefit from this system, enhancing patient care and treatment decisions.
Xenobiotic Distribution: A Comprehensive Review and Toxicological Implications
Xenobiotics is derived from the Greek words ‘Xenos’, meaning foreign and strange, and ‘bios’, which means life. Concerning the environment, xenobiotics can be defined as chemically synthesized compounds that do not occur in nature and thus are ‘foreign’ to the biosphere. Relating to the organisms, a xenobiotic is any substance foreign to life/living organism. Thus, a xenobiotic is a foreign chemical substance found within an organism that is not naturally produced by or expected to be present within the organism. The definition of xenobiotics as compounds ‘foreign to life’ exhibiting unnatural structural features does not necessarily mean that they are toxic compounds, but many are indeed harmful to living organisms. Specifically, drugs such as antibiotics are xenobiotics are xenobiotics because the human body does not produce them itself, nor are they part of a normal food. Natural compounds can also become xenobiotics if another organism takes them up. The body removes xenobiotics by xenobiotic metabolism, which consists of their deactivation and excretion, which happens mostly in the liver. Enzymes are involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics. Excretion routes are urine, feces, breath, and sweat. Xenobiotics may be grouped as carcinogens, drugs, environmental pollutants, food additives, hydrocarbons, and pesticides.
The Paradox of Diversity Initiatives: Structural Disadvantages for Global South Scholars in Academia
The implementation of diversity initiatives at Western universities serves as proof of institutional dedication to equity programs. These diversity initiatives represent mechanisms that perpetuate colonial power dynamics despite being presented as reform efforts from a critical psychological viewpoint. The article argues that diversity policies convert fundamental epistemic violence into individual problems that divert attention from implementing complete structural changes. The analysis employs decolonial theory, critical psychology, and postcolonial studies to show how diversity programs silence decolonisation movements while maintaining Eurocentric epistemologies and current hiring practices. The inclusion offered through these initiatives centres "Whiteness" and neoliberal logic instead of eliminating coloniality, so they fail to dismantle power structures. The article ends by supporting actual decolonisation processes instead of diversity paradigms, which would acknowledge multiple epistemologies while distributing power in academic institutions.
The mediating role of self-compassion and forgiveness in the effect of negative metacognitive beliefs on repetitive negative thinking in those with PTSD symptoms.
The experience of traumatic events such as extreme violence, sexual abuse, war, or natural disasters can cause heightened anxiety and the development of a variety of mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study aimed to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion and forgiveness in the effect of negative metacognitive beliefs on repetitive negative thinking in those with PTSD symptoms. There was a total of 74 participants consisting of males (n = 43), females (n = 28), and gender neutral (n = 3) aged 18 and over (Age; males, M = 30.63, SD = 7.027, females, M = 30.14, SD = 9.671, and gender neutral, M = 46.00, SD = 0.000) who were clinical patients receiving treatments for posttraumatic stress disorders. Participants completed a short demographic questionnaire, the self-compassion scale - Short Form (SCS-SF), Metacognitive Questionnaire (MCQ-30), Bolton Forgiveness Scale (BFS), and Repetitive Thinking Questionnaire-10 (RTQ-10). The results revealed that negative metacognitive beliefs predicted RNT with a positive correlation (p<.001), forgiveness predicted RNT with an inverse relationship (p<.001), and self-compassion was a negative correlate of RNT (p<.001). Furthermore, forgiveness mediated the effect of negative metacognitive beliefs on RNT (p<.001). This study has provided insight that becoming more forgiving may weaken the impact of negative metacognitive beliefs on RNT in individuals with PTSD or posttraumatic stress symptoms, and self-compassion may well have a reductive effect on RNT.
The impact of COVID-19 on black students in higher education: A systematic review of engagement and achievements
COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted black students in higher education (Arday & Jones, 2022; Kiebler & Stewart, 2022; Garcia et al., 2021; Moore et al., 2022). COVID-19 pandemic brought world-wide transformations that were accompanied by several forms of precarities and mental health problems (Arday & Jones, 2022; Rogers, 2021; Li & Wang, 2020). Thus, the current systematic review examines the impact of COVID-19 on black students in higher education. In doing so, it applies the critical race theory to provide insights on reducing racial disparities and to improve outcomes for black students in higher education. This literature review followed the protocol framework of the Cochrane Collaboration and the PRISMA guidelines. The results revealed that Covid-19 was linked with racism towards Black students, poorer mental health and wellbeing of Black students, several precarities in Black students, loneliness and isolation, and poorer access to academic-related support in Black students. These factors influenced lower academic achievements of Black students in higher education. It is recommended that higher education institutions, local communities, and policy makers should provide means of supporting Black and other minority ethnic students by addressing inequalities and access to resources.
Predicting COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions Among UK Parents Using Protection Motivation Theory
Parents’ intentions to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 remain a critical factor in achieving sufficient immunization coverage. Understanding the psychological and social factors that influence vaccination decisions is essential for developing effective public health strategies. This study applied Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) to examine predictors of COVID-19 vaccination intention among parents of young children in the UK. Key constructs of PMT, threat appraisal, and coping appraisal were evaluated alongside sociodemographic variables to identify the strongest determinants of parental vaccine acceptance. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 774 parents and guardians of children aged 0–6 years in the UK. Participants responded to a validated PMT questionnaire measuring intention, perceived severity, susceptibility, self-efficacy, response efficacy, response costs, intrapersonal characteristics, and past experience. Sociodemographic data were also collected. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the relative importance of these factors. The results showed that disease severity, intrapersonal characteristics, past experience, response efficacy, and response costs were the most influential predictors of COVID-19 vaccination intention. While sociodemographic factors such as age and gender had some predictive value, the PMT constructs, particularly severity and efficacy-related measures, provided more robust insights into parental decision-making processes. The final regression model explained 35.5% of the variance in vaccination intention. This study highlights the importance of PMT constructs in understanding parental COVID-19 vaccination intentions. Interventions should focus on increasing awareness of disease severity, enhancing confidence in vaccine efficacy, and addressing perceived response costs. Public health campaigns tailored to these psychological factors, coupled with transparent communication from trusted healthcare providers, are likely to be more effective in reducing vaccine hesitancy among parents in the UK.
Exploration of Vice Chancellors’ Perceptions on Institutional Barriers to Undergraduate Access in Nigeria’s Private Universities: A Mixed Methods Case Study
This mixed methods case study explored vice chancellors’ perceptions on institutional barriers to undergraduate access in Nigeria’s private universities. Three research questions were developed through a reflexive approach, guided by the framework. Using purposive sampling, 6 vice chancellors out of 29 were selected from across the six geopolitical zones, representing a 21% response rate. The study employed a convergent parallel research design, conducting one-on-one semi-structured interviews for qualitative data, which was thematically analysed. Quantitative measures extracted archival secondary data from policy documents produced by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) between 2015 and 2023 on annual key figures, including candidates’ applications, the number of candidates examined, enrolment figures across all universities, and quota allocations. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to identify trends and disparities in enrolment, particularly in private universities. Analyses of findings and results suggest that institutional barriers are significant obstacles created by regulatory institutions and internal university policies, collectively limiting the accessibility and attractiveness of private universities in Nigeria. The centralised system of JAMB continues to create challenges for students, universities, and the broader educational landscape, ultimately contributing to low enrolment in private universities. Significant annual disparities also exist between registered candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), examination takers, and enrolees in private universities. The government's comprehensive policy approach continues to restrict universities’ autonomy, limiting their ability to adapt curricula to local needs. The study made recommendations for policy and practice, based on the findings.
Exploring the role of religious leaders in promoting positive sexual practices to reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst young adults in Aba, Nigeria: a qualitative study
Despite attempts to control the HIV epidemic in Nigeria, especially amongst young adults, prevalence is increasing. The aim of this study was to provide insights to strengthen the positive impact of religious leaders in preventing HIV/AIDS amongst young adults. Qualitative descriptive research was carried out. Purposive sampling was used to identify religious leaders (Christian or Muslim) and young adults (aged 20–24) who are active in their faith communities in Aba, Nigeria, chosen due to its high prevalence of HIV amongst young people. Religious leaders were recruited through publicly available contact details. Young adult participants were recruited through religious youth groups on Facebook. Online, semi-structured interviews were carried out. Findings were analysed thematically. Seven religious leaders (six male, one female) and seven young adults (five male, two female), all Christian, participated. Results found that young people may lack appropriate knowledge on HIV prevention, and that this topic is not often discussed in church. Religious leaders were seen as influential, with different platforms to engage youth. They could have a positive or negative impact on HIV prevention practices, for instance, by reinforcing stigmatising rhetoric around HIV and discouraging condom use. Capacitating religious leaders with adequate knowledge on HIV and supporting the adoption of a more liberal and pragmatic approach to HIV/AIDS prevention may enable positive impact.