THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FREQUENCIES OF SPOUSAL DEPLOYMENT AND DURATIONS OF SPOUSAL DEPLOYMENT TOWARDS PTD EXPERIENCES

Abstract

The frequencies and durations of spousal deployments (SD) have been observed by scholars as a motivating factor toward Preterm deliveries (PTDs) during SD period. Previous studies on PTDs viewed the linked the causes to medical/biological factors, with little attention paid to psycho-social factors (PSF). This study, thus, highlighted the PSF of PTD outcomes among PPW during SD in selected Army Barracks (ABs) in Southwest, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey using mixed-methods was employed. Six (6) ABs in Lagos state, two (2) in Ogun states, and two (2) Military Hospitals (MHs) in Lagos state were purposively selected. The study population comprised PPW. A semi-structured questionnaire and In-depth Interviews were conducted with PPW. Key Informant Interviews were conducted with doctors. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and Chi-square. Majority 155(17.4%) experienced loneliness, isolation, and lack of communication leading to PTDs when the duration was between 61 to 72 months. Whereas, majority experienced PTDs when the number of times was once 134(15.1%).  Military authorities should bridge the widening durations of SD so as to reduce negative experiences and PTDs among spouses during deployments.

Keywords: Army personnel wives, Duration and Frequency of Deployment, Preterm Deliveries, Spousal deployment.