This study investigated the intricate role of cultural norms in shaping gender-responsive healthcare communication in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. It tackled the pervasive problem of ineffective communication between healthcare providers and patients, a challenge compounded by deeply entrenched cultural beliefs that dictate gender interactions and health-seeking behaviours. The primary objectives were to scrutinise how cultural norms influenced provider-patient communication, pinpoint specific traditions affecting gender responsiveness, and propose actionable strategies to enhance communication effectiveness. The research was anchored on the Health Belief Model and Feminist Theory, employing a library-based methodology that synthesised secondary data from journals, books, reports, and empirical studies. Key findings indicated that patriarchal norms significantly curtailed women's access to healthcare information, with men's roles as household decision-makers dominating communication exchanges. Cultural taboos further stifled open dialogue on sensitive topics like reproductive health, disproportionately affecting women. The study concluded that these cultural underpinnings posed substantial barriers to gender-responsive communication, perpetuating health inequities in Nasarawa State. Key recommendations included the implementation of cultural competence training for healthcare providers by the state's Ministry of Health, collaboration with traditional leaders to reshape cultural norms, and the development of tailored, gender-sensitive health campaigns leveraging local media to bridge communication gaps effectively.
Vol. 4, No 1, pp. 51-60.