Effects of Ethnic and Cultural Tensions on Healthcare Delivery in Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

In multi-ethnic societies like Nigeria, ethnic communities violently compete for property, rights, jobs, education, language, social amenities and good health care facilities. This violent competition for the scare resources that often leads to what is referred to as ethnic or cultural tension. The study employed Frustration Aggression Theory and Resource Access Theory (RAT) as its theoretical foundation. The theory emphasizes the importance of putting the various segments of the society in proper perspectives to avoid aggressive tendencies from individuals or groups which in turn could lead to conflicts of higher magnitude. The study adopts correlational survey design. Correlational research design is a design that determines the relationship between two or more variables without the researcher’s control or manipulation of the variables under study. The Simple Linear Regression Analysis was utilized to test the formulated hypothesis. Information was gathered and findings were discussed using primary data which were majorly collated with the aid of questionnaire and interview. The study found that there is significant effect of ethnic and cultural tensions on healthcare delivery in Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State. The study recommended among other things, the state and local governments should encourage inclusive economic initiatives such as cooperatives and microfinance schemes that cut across ethnic lines, thereby creating shared interests that reduce conflict incentives.