Trends and Patterns of Homicides Arising From Interpersonal Violence in Nigeria (2006-2016).

Despite the considerable shift that has been recorded in the dimension and patterns of violence involving individuals in primary group relationships in Nigeria, available scholarly research on the phenomenon has been largely narrow with the majority concentrating on spousal abuse. To fill this gap, this study examined the incidence of homicides arising from interpersonal violence between 2006 and 2016. The descriptive design was employed, and social disorganization theory was adopted for its conceptual framework. Data were generated from the content review of a corpus of some Nigerian newspapers' coverage on cases of interpersonal violence that resulted into fatalities. Findings revealed that 516 cases of homicide occurring in a wide range of contexts were recorded in Nigeria between 2006 and 2016. Although instances of violent deaths due to interpersonal violence were recorded in all years considered, we found that the highest share (37%) of the fatalities occurred in 2012. Also, the majority of homicides (58%) due to interpersonal violence occurred in the South-West region. A multilayered approach involving relevant stakeholders is advocated as way of successfully containing the problem.

Methodological issues in HIV-related social research in Nigeria.

This paper is about methodological issues in a community-wide study in Nigeria on an infectious disease, namely HIV/AIDS. The study was designed to ascertain the risk factors that contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS and how that can be tackled in order to bring about behavioural change. The research team believed at the onset that a study on the interplay between HIV/AIDS and sensitive issues like sexual mores and sexuality requires much more than a straightjacket social science method, such as simply doing a cross-section study and/or using interview schedule. This paper reviews the essence of cross-disciplinary approach; team building; as well as the use of a non-participatory observational approach in data collection. It also shows why ample consideration was given to ethical issues which are often glossed over in social research in developing countries. The lessons from the study underscore the methodological imperatives in social research that focus on sensitive issues in largely non-literate context like Nigeria. Although there are formidable challenges in community-based studies in largely non-literate societies, nevertheless they could easily be surmounted if there are ample time and resources to navigate the various sticking points.