SOCIO-CULTURAL BASIS OF LONGEVITY BETWEEN WOMEN AND MEN IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Uzobo Endurance, Mustafa Shaibu Maryam

Abstract


There are differences in health status between women and men. This has been attributed to  gender-specific  health  and  longevity-related  behaviours.  Hence,  society  and  culture influence  men  to  certain  lifestyles  that  are  increasingly  detrimental  to  their  health  and life. The aim of this study is to investigate socio-cultural factors responsible for longevity among  older men  and  women.  The  lifestyle  theory  formed  the  theoretical  base  for  this study.  The  study  generally  is  a  quantitative  cross-sectional  study  conducted  among  344 older adults aged 50 years and above in Yenagoa city of Bayelsa state, Nigeria. Data for the  study  was  gathered  through  the  use  of  the  structured  questionnaire,  while  data analysis was done using, univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistics at 0.05 level of significance.  Findings  from  the  study  showed  that  there  is  0.52  variation  of  the independent  variables  on  longevity  for  female  respondents  with  F  (15,  155)  =  11.25, p<0.000;  while  that  of  their  male  counterparts  is  0.34  variation  of  the  independent variables on longevity with F (14, 158) = 5.75, p<0.000. It was thus concluded that most socialfactors  that  determine  longevity  differentials  by  gender  are  more  favourable  to men.Hence, the need for socialization and re-socialization of individuals based on their gender   to   shape   and   re-shape   the   biological   factors   for   more   favourable   living conditions and healthy lifestyles is essential for promoting healthy well-being and further enhance longevity free from diseases or morbidity.

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