IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 20, Issue 4, Ver. III (Apr. 2015), PP 26-36 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0837-20432636 www.iosrjournals.org 26 | Page Gender Differences in the Social Engagement and Self-Rated Health of Retirees in a Nigerian Setting Eucharia Onyema Ejechi Abstract: The social engagement and self-rated health of retirees were studied for gender differences in a Nigerian setting. The study was based on the hypothesis that gender difference in the level of social engagement entailing particularly, the traditional ceremonies may be reflected in differential self-rated health. The engagement (visitations, traditional ceremonies, religious activities and leisure/physical activities) and self- rated health were assessed with structured questionnaire-based scales. Female retirees dominated traditional and religious activities and it contributed to their overall significantly better social engagement (P=0.001) than the male retirees. Female retirees also reported better self-rated health (63% vs. 45% in the “good” category). There was a significant association (P=0.025, chi square) between self-rated health and gender and a positive correlation (P=0.05) between self-rated health and social engagement in both sexes. Thus participation in traditional and religious activities by the elderly adults especially among males needs to be encouraged as part of stratagem for promoting healthy ageing. Keywords: African ceremonies; Nigeria; Gender; Retirees; Self-rated health; Social engagement. I. Introduction Ageing is associated with changes in the social, physical and psychological aspects of individuals (Drewnowski & Evans, 2001: Crombie et al. 2004). It affects the ability of the body to adapt to stresses and strains thereby leading to progressive decline in health and increase in the chances of mortality (Levy 2003; Vina et al. 2007). Social engagement is one of the keys to healthy ageing that may promote physical health and cognitive function as many studies have indicated (e.g. Kiely et al. 2000; Fratiglioni et al. 2002; Mendes de Leon et al. 2003; Bennett 2005; Hunter et al. 2011). Social engagement has also been reported to be associated with lower mortality risks (House et al. 1982; Kiely & Flacker 2003. Thus differences in social engagement are likely to influence the course of healthy ageing among elderly women and men. For example Thomas (2011) reported that older women who spent more time in social activities had fewer subsequent cognitive limitations whereas their male counterparts who experienced cognitive limitations were less likely to be as socially engaged. Custom and cultural activities vary across the world and may also explain differences in types and intensity of social engagement and invariably influence self-rated health and gender differences. The impact of social engagement on the health of elderly people has been well documented in many non-African settings while in contrast only little research has been conducted in Africa particularly in sub-Saharan area. However, two studies from Nigeria and Kenya reported contact with friends and participation in family and community activities by elderly people as the most important factors contributing to the quality of life and self-rated health of the respondents in their sample (Gureje et al., 2008; Kodzi et al. 2010). Contact with friends and community activities may include many traditional and cultural practices that involve celebrations, which indeed are social engagement activities. In Nigeria, marriages, child birth and naming are usually celebrated with relatives and friends with the elders presiding (Chuku, 2008). Burial rites and ceremonies are usually associated with processions and blockage of roads. It is commonly believed that observing burial rites is likely to prevent the ghost of the departed from haunting or harassing the relatives (Chuku, 2008). The beginning of the rainy season and harvest of new yams are marked with funfair festivals associated with a variety of masquerade dances in the traditional Igbo communities of South East Nigeria. These have been depicted in many Nigerian films (Uwah, 2011). Age grade initiations and acquisition of chieftaincy titles are associated with carnivals in Nigeria and Ghana (Adjaye & Misawa, 2006). With respect to religion, God is the almighty that can only be reached through smaller gods and deities that are usually worshiped with pomp and pageantry (Uwah, 2011). All these are traditional social activities in which variations in the levels of male and female participation may be associated with the health of the elderly. The concept of self-rated health has been well researched in gerontology and geriatrics, because of its use in predicting adverse health and even mortality (Idler & Kasi, 1995; Idler & Benjamin 1997; Ferraro & Kelley-More 2001; Wolinsky et al. 2008). These reports suggest among others that a decline in self-rated health is related to reduction in physical activity and cognitive functioning. The report of Benjamini et al. (2000) also