Pathways to health and learning inclusion among young women in South Western Nigeria
Lead Research Organisation:
The Open University
Department Name: Faculty of Wellbg, Educ & Lang Sci(WELS)
Abstract
In Nigeria, an estimated 19% of women aged 15-19 years have begun childbearing while an additional 4% are pregnant with their first child (National Population Commission, 2018). Numerous policy and academic studies depict early pregnancy and motherhood as a phenomenon that creates poor health, economic and social challenges for both mother and child (Adegbola & Sanusi 2019). This has reinforced negative attitudes towards young mothers. However, the effects of these remain understudied. My PhD findings showed how discriminatory community, educational and health practices reinforced marginalisation, poor health, and socio-economic outcomes among young mothers. Currently, there is poor awareness of the health and wellbeing impacts of stigma and discrimination. There are also no official/formal interventions to support school retention of pregnant girls and ensure the effective re-integration of young mothers into formal education in Nigeria. I plan to use this fellowship to set a foundation for future work in this area.
My overall aim for this fellowship is to develop foundational skills which will enable me to undertake research, formulate policies, and suggest best practices for improving the wellbeing of young women in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). My first objective focuses on publishing two journal articles to contribute to limited knowledge on young mothers' experiences of stigma and discrimination in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. To maximise reach, I plan to publish blogposts of these articles at 'The Conversation Africa' and present at seminars.
A focus on the next steps from my PhD aims at using co-creation methods to stimulate engagement and contribute to evidence on reducing learning and healthcare exclusions. Within the Faculty of WELS at The Open University, researchers have expertise in using digital co-creation methods to improve health and learning outcomes in LMICs. By attending formal and informal training/workshops within WELS, I plan to develop methodological skills in these areas and understand how to conduct workshops effectively.
Thirdly, to build my networking and collaboration skills, I plan to conduct a dissemination session with key stakeholders (e.g., health and educational practitioners, policymakers, NGOs) in Nigeria to disseminate findings and raise awareness on the implications of educational and healthcare stigma and discrimination on young women's wellbeing. This session will also discuss the added benefits of using qualitative and creative methodologies to generate quality data in Africa. Afterwards, I will conduct a two-day data-gathering workshop with key stakeholders (e.g., practitioners, policymakers, and NGOs) in education and related sectors to co-create knowledge on school re-entry and retention for young women. The workshop will explore causes of learning exclusions, challenges, and opportunities for improving educational inclusion. By analysing the workshop's discussions, I will add participants' insights to a briefing on non-formal existing practices that aid school re-integration and explore potential pathways for improving school retention. This brief can support educational policymakers and practitioners working to improve educational inclusion.
The 2030 agenda for the Sustainable Development Goal is to leave no one behind (Buzeti et al. 2020). Investing in female education, particularly among marginalised populations (such as pregnant adolescents and young mothers) is crucial to promoting gender equality and improving health and wellbeing outcomes (Ibid). At the end of my fellowship, I plan to submit a grant to document best practices and analyse successful case studies that have improved school retention in sub-Saharan Africa, to identify transferrable elements for a Nigerian context. To learn more about developing grants, I plan to shadow my mentor and activities within the Centre for the Study of Global Development (CSGD) at The Open University.
My overall aim for this fellowship is to develop foundational skills which will enable me to undertake research, formulate policies, and suggest best practices for improving the wellbeing of young women in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). My first objective focuses on publishing two journal articles to contribute to limited knowledge on young mothers' experiences of stigma and discrimination in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. To maximise reach, I plan to publish blogposts of these articles at 'The Conversation Africa' and present at seminars.
A focus on the next steps from my PhD aims at using co-creation methods to stimulate engagement and contribute to evidence on reducing learning and healthcare exclusions. Within the Faculty of WELS at The Open University, researchers have expertise in using digital co-creation methods to improve health and learning outcomes in LMICs. By attending formal and informal training/workshops within WELS, I plan to develop methodological skills in these areas and understand how to conduct workshops effectively.
Thirdly, to build my networking and collaboration skills, I plan to conduct a dissemination session with key stakeholders (e.g., health and educational practitioners, policymakers, NGOs) in Nigeria to disseminate findings and raise awareness on the implications of educational and healthcare stigma and discrimination on young women's wellbeing. This session will also discuss the added benefits of using qualitative and creative methodologies to generate quality data in Africa. Afterwards, I will conduct a two-day data-gathering workshop with key stakeholders (e.g., practitioners, policymakers, and NGOs) in education and related sectors to co-create knowledge on school re-entry and retention for young women. The workshop will explore causes of learning exclusions, challenges, and opportunities for improving educational inclusion. By analysing the workshop's discussions, I will add participants' insights to a briefing on non-formal existing practices that aid school re-integration and explore potential pathways for improving school retention. This brief can support educational policymakers and practitioners working to improve educational inclusion.
The 2030 agenda for the Sustainable Development Goal is to leave no one behind (Buzeti et al. 2020). Investing in female education, particularly among marginalised populations (such as pregnant adolescents and young mothers) is crucial to promoting gender equality and improving health and wellbeing outcomes (Ibid). At the end of my fellowship, I plan to submit a grant to document best practices and analyse successful case studies that have improved school retention in sub-Saharan Africa, to identify transferrable elements for a Nigerian context. To learn more about developing grants, I plan to shadow my mentor and activities within the Centre for the Study of Global Development (CSGD) at The Open University.
Organisations
Publications
Oluseye A
(2024)
'I have to pretend that I don't care': Stigma management among unmarried young mothers in South-Western Nigeria.
in Global public health
Oluseye A
(2024)
"It is not the end of my life": positive identity (re)constructions among young mothers in rural South-Western Nigeria
in International Journal of Adolescence and Youth
| Description | Significant New Knowledge Generated: Throughout my fellowship, I've made meaningful contributions to the understandings of young motherhood in rural Nigeria. I published two papers in the Journal of Global Public Health and the International Journal of Adolescence and Youth which delve into the challenges faced by young mothers and explore how they reconstruct positive identities amidst societal stigma. I also published a policy brief which outline guidelines for improving the lives of pregnant teenagers and unmarried young mothers, based on recommendations from my stakeholder event in rural Nigeria. Engaging in podcast discussions with The Sex, Research and Resistance Podcast at The Open University and NETREP at The University of Edinburgh has further disseminated these findings, challenging perceptions about early pregnancy and motherhood while addressing the complex meanings of family, reproduction, and sexuality for women in Nigeria. This work significantly advances knowledge in the field of public health, adolescence and sexual and reproductive health. Noteworthy Research Networks and Collaborations: I conducted a Stakeholder Engagement Workshop in August 2023 which convened individuals from diverse sectors [e.g., health, education, policy, media, and community] to collectively address challenges faced by pregnant teenagers and young mothers in South-Western Nigeria. The workshop disseminated findings from my prior research on teenage pregnancy and motherhood within the community, focusing on societal stigmas, health, and educational barriers. The collaborative nature of the workshop facilitated the generation of recommendations to address these challenges. It also prompted reflection on the systemic marginalisation experienced by pregnant teenagers and young mothers. One tangible outcome of the workshop was the co-designing of a radio program which commenced in February 2024. This program features five live sessions in both English and the local language, challenging societal stigmas and providing valuable resources for families dealing with teenage pregnancy and motherhood. The program is strategically planned for a six-month rerun of the live sessions, aiming to create a lasting impact by raising awareness, fostering understanding, and contributing to positive social change in the community. Expanding my impact beyond Nigeria. I've collaborated with colleagues from the Open University and Cape Coast University, Ghana to tackle stigma and enhance the mental well-being of young mothers in Ghana. The successful securing of funding [up to £50,000] for this research demonstrates the importance and recognition of our work. Additionally, I am the co-chair of a methodological special interest group for health research under NCRM (National Centre for Research Methods), reflecting my commitment to knowledge-sharing and collaboration. This initiative, supported by £6,800 in funding, will facilitate discussions and a retreat focused on navigating methodological challenges in health research, particularly emphasising the benefits of using creative methods to explore under researched areas in international development settings. New or Improved Research Methods or Skills Developed: As part of the ESRC objectives, I shadowed the Ibali project - which utilises storytelling to explore inclusion and exclusion in education. This experience significantly enhanced my skills in stakeholder engagement, health and educational research, and the practical application of creative research methods, especially in the Global South. |
| Exploitation Route | In academia, further collaboration and publication opportunities can arise which look at the intersection of young motherhood, education, and mental health in Nigeria and /or West Africa as these areas are still underexplored. Interventions which are focused on supporting pregnant teenagers and young mothers also need to be piloted and if successful, scaled up, to improve their quality of life. Building on the foundation of my published papers and policy brief, policymakers and health and educational practitioners can look into creating supportive networks for pregnant teenagers and young mothers that improve their access to services and promote school retention and re-integration. There also needs to be improved cross-collaboration between the health and educational sector to improve the quality of life of pregnant teenagers and unmarried young mothers. Non-academically, the radio program and its ongoing reruns provide a powerful platform to influence societal attitudes, challenge stigmas, and offer support to families dealing with teenage pregnancy. These program can be scaled up to other rural areas in Nigeria to raise more awareness on the negative impacts of the stigmatisation of early pregnancy and motherhood and hopefully, begin to cause a shift in societal attitudes towards pregnant teenagers and young mothers. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Education Healthcare |
| URL | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02673843.2023.2301579 |
| Description | ESRC Postdoctoral fellowship (PDF) Pump Priming Grant - When Will they Stop Rising? Exploring the impact of increases in prescription costs in people with long term health conditions. |
| Amount | £4,397 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | SA_PDF/02/2023 |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2023 |
| End | 12/2024 |
| Description | Funding for radio program to raise awareness on teenage pregnancy and motherhood stigma in rural Nigeria |
| Amount | £1,300 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ER24058 |
| Organisation | Open University |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2024 |
| End | 06/2024 |
| Description | Open Societal Challenges to improve the wellbeing of young mothers in Ghana |
| Amount | £1,700 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Open University |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2023 |
| End | 12/2024 |
| Description | Challenging the narratives around early parenthood in Nigeria and Zambia through creative research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Sex, Research and Resistance Podcast is a podcast developed by The Open University to engage practitioners, researchers and activists on key issues of reproduction, sexualities and sexual health. In the episode, I reflect on using creative research to capture stories and challenge perceptions about early pregnancy and motherhood. I also delve into practical challenges, ethical considerations and methodological insights. The intended purpose of the podcast was to share experiences of conducting research in underexplored areas and promote innovative approaches to research. The podcast had over 80 impressions and has been re-shared on many platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Due to the reach of the podcast, I was invited to contribute to another podcast by the University of Edinburg called the Networks of Reproduction in Complex Planetary Futures (NETREP) project and discuss forced motherhood, changing family structures and its implication for young women in Nigeria. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://open.spotify.com/episode/4R6qvy5ElIjTmfFcwiIHaw |
| Description | Co-Chair, Methodological Special Interest Group [MSIG], National Centre for Research methods [NCRM] |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I and two other early career researchers developed a proposal to create a methodological special interest [MSIG] group for NCRM where researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders working in health research can come together to share stories, expertise, experiences, and best practices for navigating methodological issues in health research. Our activities include; (1) conducting six online sessions with various professionals; (2) co-writing six blog posts for NCRM covering methodological innovations, making unexpected methodological adaptations, and navigating ethical applications and concerns; (3) holding a two-day methodological retreat in December 2024 with postgraduate students and early career researchers associated with NCRM. We have obtained £6,800 in funding for this project, which will commence in February 2024. My sessions are directly linked to my project as they would involve discussing and navigating sensitive research AND using creative methods in health research, further creating awareness about my work, and helping people understand the benefits of using creative methods in research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.ncrm.ac.uk/ |
| Description | Improving inclusion for pregnant and parenting teenagers through stakeholder engagement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Twenty-five participants attended the expert-meeting discussion. The aim of the expert meeting was to gather useful insights, recommendations and critique to the layout and design of my stakeholder engagement workshop in Nigeria. Participants were individuals who had carried out various stakeholder engagement workshops in the Global South, using different approaches. The participants were able to offer their perspectives in further refining the stakeholder workshop design and share some of the pitfalls they encountered and how they navigated this. This was particularly important for my stakeholder engagement as my work centred on a highly sensitive topic [adolescent sexuality] in a moralistic and religious society [Nigeria]. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Protecting the ones left behind: supporting learning inclusion for young women in Nigeria |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The blogpost was written by me and served as a strategic initiative launched at the commencement of my ESRC fellowship, aiming to elevate awareness and garner support for the project. The objective was threefold: 1. Raise Project Awareness: The primary objective of writing this blog was to enhance visibility and understanding of the ESRC-funded research project. By articulating the project's goals, challenges, and potential impact, the blog aimed to generate awareness among academic, professional, and public audiences, fostering a broader understanding of the issues faced by pregnant teenagers and young mothers in Nigeria and the project's role in addressing these challenges. 2. Attract Potential Collaborators: A key aim of writing the blog was to attract potential collaborators, both within and beyond academia, who share an interest in addressing the complex issues surrounding teenage pregnancy and motherhood in Nigeria. By presenting the project's interdisciplinary approach, research methodologies, and intended outcomes, the blog served as a means to invite individuals and/or organizations to engage, contribute expertise, and collaborate towards meaningful solutions for pregnant teenagers and young mothers. 3. Establish a Reference Point for Stakeholder Engagement: The blog post was positioned to serve as a foundational reference point when engaging with future stakeholders by providing a comprehensive overview of the project's context, objectives, and methodologies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://wels.open.ac.uk/research/centre-study-global-development/blog/protecting-ones-left-behind-su... |
| Description | Radio Programme on Teenage Pregnancy and Motherhood Stigma in rural Nigeria |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | During the stakeholder engagement event in Nigeria, the need to combat teenage pregnancy and motherhood stigma within the community emerged as a pressing concern. To bridge this gap, I and the stakeholders co-developed a series of radio programs in collaboration with Crown FM Radio Station at Ile-Ife, Nigeria. We decided on a radio program because radio has the potential to reach millions of rural people within the community as it is the largest and most trusted form of mass media. There is also high radio ownership by rural households within the area. We partnered with Crown FM Radio Station, a major radio broadcasting network in Osun State covering neighbouring areas [estimated reach 4 - 5 million listeners] The radio program, titled "Breaking the Silence" features a committed host and key experts who use the radio sessions to disseminate crucial information, challenge societal stigmas surrounding teenage pregnancy, and provide invaluable resources for families grappling with this issue. By leveraging the influential reach of radio, we aim to foster open conversations, destigmatize teenage pregnancy, and empower the rural community with knowledge and support. There are five radio program sessions to tackle teenage pregnancy and motherhood stigma at structural levels [i.e., education, healthcare, community, etc]. The radio program is a 45 - minute episode broadcast in English and the local [i.e., Yoruba] language. There are also live-phone ins during each episode to give the community members the opportunity to share their opinions and engage with the issue of discussion. After the five radio programs have been run successfully, there will be a six-month re-run of the recordings of the radio program sessions to increase support and access to information for pregnant teenagers and unmarried young mothers. The expected outcomes of the radio program are: 1. Community awareness and potential attitude shift: By running the radio program series, we hope it would begin to foster a positive attitudinal change toward teenage pregnancy, reduce stigma and encourage empathy for pregnant teenagers and unmarried young mothers within the community. 2. Empowerment through information: Some sessions of the radio program will focus on equipping pregnant teenagers, young mothers and their families with essential resources, knowledge, and support, enabling them to make informed decisions and access necessary services. 3. Contribution to research discourse: In internal seminars and workshops within WELS, I plan to discuss the process of co-developing creative outputs for ground-level impact, share the impacts of the radio program [where and when possible], and lessons learnt from the process. The radio program commenced in February 2024 and will run till August 2024. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Reflections on using creative methods in health research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | This presentation was delivered to postgraduate students and academics within The Open University who were interested in incorporating creative research methods into their various projects. The presentation was drawn from my lived experiences of using creative methods and from trainings which I had attended regarding using various creative methods in health research. The presentation included practical examples and discussed critical issues and ethical challenges to consider when using creative methods in research. A total of 30 participants [students and academics] attended the seminar. The seminar was conducted in march and ever since, I have received requests for mentorship and guidance from students, and I have consulted on some internal projects to offer advice on how to incorporate creative research in health-related projects. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Speaker at Glasgow Caledonian University PGR Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | On August 22, 2024, I was invited as a guest speaker at Glasgow Caledonian University to discuss how I successfully generated impact from my PhD research. This event was specifically organized for postgraduate students, providing them with insights into translating academic research into meaningful real-world applications. The invitation allowed me to share my experiences, methodologies, and key lessons learned throughout my research journey. Engaging with both colleagues and students at GCU, I was able to foster meaningful discussions about the practical implications of my work. Additionally, the event served as a valuable platform for networking, enabling me to identify potential collaborators for future research projects. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Stakeholder engagement workshop in Nigeria |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Stakeholder engagement workshop brought together 22 key stakeholders from diverse sectors [such as health, education, policy, media and community] to collectively address the challenges faced by pregnant teenagers and young mothers in South-Western Nigeria. Through open discussions, the workshop disseminated findings from previous research on teenage pregnancy and motherhood within the community and discussed societal stigmas as well as health and educational barriers. The collaborative nature of the workshop allowed stakeholders to propose recommendations and viable solutions to address the identified challenges. It also allowed for proper reflection on the systemic marginalisation being experienced by pregnant teenagers and young mothers within the community. The discussions from the workshop were synthesized into a policy brief, presenting a structured and evidence-based document. This policy brief includes actionable recommendations for policymakers, outlining potential changes in policies to improve the lives of pregnant teenagers and young mothers. These have been distributed both in hardcopies and links to the stakeholders and various key health and educational boards. Additionally, a tangible outcome of the workshop was the co-designing of a radio program. This program serves as a medium to disseminate crucial information, challenge societal stigmas, and provide valuable resources for families dealing with teenage pregnancy and motherhood. The intended impact is to raise awareness, foster understanding, and contribute to positive social change. This radio program started in February 2024. It will run five live sessions in English and the local language, and have a six month rerun of the live sessions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://wels.open.ac.uk/research/centre-study-global-development/policy-briefs-and-papers |
| Description | Tackling Early Pregnancy and Motherhood: The Health and Education Nexus |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was an online seminar for the general public to unpack findings and recommendations from research with young women and stakeholder workshops with professionals in diverse sectors in rural Nigeria. It delved into unheard stories of young women's challenges, workshop engagement and design, and opened up dialogue on the intersections of health and education for pregnant teenagers and unmarried young mothers in Nigeria. A total of forty participants attended the event from various organisations and there were lots of discussions regarding interdisciplinary working between the health and educational sector to improve outcomes for pregnant teenagers and unmarried young mothers in Nigeria, and sub-Saharan Africa, policy reform, as well as opportunities and challenges for further research. After the event, many participants requested for the slides to add to their own resource library or to modify as case examples for their area of work. Some other participants also made contacts for potential future collaborations on research relating to young mothers in education in Nigeria. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tackling-early-pregnancy-and-motherhood-the-health-and-education-nexu... |
| Description | Workshop with Unmarried Young Mothers in Ghana |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Building on the research with unmarried young mothers in Nigeria, I joined a research project to extend similar activities to Ghana where we did a photovoice workshop with 16 unmarried young mothers and 4 researchers to understand their wellbeing experiences in relation to early motherhood and identify possible areas of intervention for future support. The workshop was conducted in Cape Coast, Ghana in January 2025 and we plan to analyse the data, publish and further engage with key stakeholders in Ghana to raise awareness about young mothers' mental wellbeing. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | cultural expectations, continuity and change in family formation in Nigeria |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The podcast was hosted by the Networks of Reproduction in Complex Planetary Futures (NETREP) at The University of Edinburg. In the podcast, we discussed how meanings of family, reproduction and sexuality are complex and constantly changing and what these implications are for women across the world. Drawing on my research with unmarried young mothers in rural Nigeria, I delved into how young women are often punished [through stigma and discrimination] from deviating from traditional family orders [by becoming pregnant young and getting pregnant out of wedlock]. I also discussed the implications of these on gender equality, future economies and SDGs in Nigeria. We discussed the implications of these and how this can impact on quality of life and economies and also discussed some of the papers that have come out of my research. The intended purpose of this podcast was to showcase my research to a wider audience, contribute to academic theory on family life and risky futures, and share perspectives that can be key to informing policy and practice in the areas of, family, fertility, stigma and discrimination. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://soundcloud.com/cahssedinburgh/future-intimacies-ep5-dr-ayomide-oluseye-19124 |