Sociological Research And Innovation

Exploring Health-Seeking Behaviors and Coping Strategies: A Qualitative Study of Women in Urban Slum Areas of Lahore, Pakistan

Manahil Farhat — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study seeks to explore the health practices of women living in the slums of Lahore, Pakistan, a group known for poor health outcomes and high incidence of chronic illnesses like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. A qualitative research methodology was employed to collect data from 20 women across four slum regions, with a focus on demographics, health behaviors, perceived impediments, and coping methods. The study adopts a socioeconomic determinants of health approach, emphasizing the importance of financial stability, employment, education, housing, social support, and access to healthcare for women's health. The findings demonstrate major impediments to healthcare access, such as inadequate housing and infrastructure, which all contribute to high infant mortality and poor health outcomes. This study highlights how women residing in slums rely on traditional treatments, limited health literacy, cultural norms, and prioritize household chores over personal health. The findings suggest that culturally sensitive, gender-specific interventions, as well as improved healthcare infrastructure, are required to enhance health outcomes. The study advocates for government intervention to ensure equitable healthcare access for all women, regardless of their financial position, and emphasizes the broader societal consequences of improving health in slum communities.

Drivers and Impacts of Internal Displacement to Kano City, Nigeria: An Empirical Study and Strategic Recommendations

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The increasing rate of internal displacement in Nigeria has raised significant concerns regarding its impact on urban management. Forced migration is often seen as an outcome of unpalatable experience in migrants’ communities. This study aims to identify the factors driving mass internal migration to Kano and to explore the relationship between forced migration and the evolving socio-economic conditions in the city. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, including surveys with 1,000 respondents, interviews with 30 individuals, and six focus group discussions (FGDs). Discussion is anchored on Lee’s push-pull theory of migration. The analysis reveals that insurgency, banditry, communal conflicts over socio-economic space, and herders-farmers conflicts are major factors contributing to unprecedented internal displacement, with Kano emerging as a significant recipient of these migrants. Socio-economic life of Kano slums has been altered and migrants are exposed to various risks, including unemployment, hunger, disease, drug abuse and poor upbringing of the young ones. Uncertain future and danger looms ahead if proactive measures are not taken to address conflicts and insecurity in the northern Nigeria. The government should develop strategies to resolve these crises and facilitate the return of forced migrants to their communities, thereby mitigating the socio-economic disruptions in Kano.

Manipulated Notions of Islam Regarding Women: An Analysis of The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis under Islamic Feminism

Hafza Arshad, Sarah Azam — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This research attempts to examine the suffocated lives of women in Afghanistan in the novel, The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis under the lens of Islamic Feminism presented by Fatema Mernissi in Islam and Democracy. Islam has given all the fundamental rights to women. Despite being under the protection of men, women ought to have their own individuality as both genders shall stand equal for their deeds on the day of judgement. This research identifies the manipulated notions of Islam regarding women in the respective novel through the framework of Islamic feminism. The theory emphasizes that Islam allows women to celebrate their femininity, but the misinterpretation of Quranic verses has misled Muslims into believing otherwise. Thus, the research contributes to the struggle of identifying Afghan women's rights within the outside and domestic sphere which have been demolished by men, with the aid of Islamic feminism. In The Breadwinner, Taliban’s agenda is to set a religious narrative that women are submissive and they should be confined inside the four walls. In contrast, the reality is entirely opposite as Islam provides equal rights to both sexes on human grounds.

Perceptions of Undergraduate Students with Hearing Impairments (HI) Pertaining to their Job Placement

Tayyaba Shamas — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This research aims to investigate the perceptions of undergraduate students with hearing impairments regarding their job placement. The study is descriptive in nature and conducted through questionnaires. The main objective of this study is to compare the problems that male and female undergraduate students with impaired hearing face regarding their job placement. For this purpose, data was collected from 78 students of private and public sector universities in Lahore through convenient sampling. The variables related to students’ perceptions were mainly demanded, job readiness, employment, and barriers. The collected data is then tabulated and analyzed through SPSS. The findings revealed that the pupils with Hearing Impairments (HI) faced difficulties in getting a job, as they considered their impairments to be a great barrier

Exploring the Lived Experiences and Coping Mechanisms of Unmarried Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Pakistan

Zahra Athar, Nayab Javed — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The current research aimed to demonstrate the lived experiences and coping mechanisms of unmarried women suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Pakistan, given that it is the most prevalent endocrine disorder. Furthermore, the study also focused on how these women cope with PCOS, based on a phenomenological qualitative research design. The study utilized a qualitative research design comprising in-depth interviews analyzed through thematic analysis to understand the lived experiences of women with PCOS. Moreover, the perceptions regarding the cultural norms, societal expectations, as well as health information sources were also examined. The results revealed a multifaceted web of stigma, misinformation, and desire to be perceived positively by family and community. Additionally, the study outlined the strategies employed by these women to cope with excessive hair growth anxiety, ranging from medications, diet, and exercises, to using natural remedies. It also underscored the importance of familial support including the access to authentic information as it is helpful for these women to optimally self-manage their emotional well-being. The current study provided a better understanding pertaining to specific healthcare issues faced by unmarried women with PCOS in Pakistan. Moreover, it also enhanced the advocacy for the culturally appropriate and societal stigma targeted interventions to encourage the provision of relevant healthcare services. Furthermore, this study may contribute to new policy adjustments and improvements of healthcare services to enhance the PCOS vulnerable members’ conditions through raising awareness.