Paper short abstract:

The invasion and reconfiguration of African communities to states by colonial masters continued to be viewed as artificial borders and symbols of colonialism. This situation remain despite the long years of independence, rather it has further neo-colonized residence of border regions in Africa.

Paper long abstract:

The invasion and reconfiguration of African communities to states by colonial masters continued to be viewed as artificial borders created on the basis of political, ethnocentrism and economic gains to the larger disadvantages of border aboriginal. The socio-political reality which led to an upsurge in inter and intra movement of people across and from Africa has further diffused the cultural setting of these border communities. The influx of both legal and illegal traders and migrants of different inclinations infuses different cultural dimensions and attitudes to healthcare seeking and provisions. This study, therefore, examines the nexus between the artificiality of these borders, the influx of migrants, and its implications on healthcare seeking practices and provisions in border communities of southwest Nigeria. Socio-ecological theory was adopted as the theoretical orientation. The methodology involved the adoption of a triangulation of both quantitative (1,200 questionnaire) and qualitative techniques in gathering data. The study purposively selected residents of border communities in Seme, Ilara and Okerete in Southwest Nigeria, using exploratory research-design. Narrative data were generated using twelve Key Informant Interviews and eighteen Focus Group Discussions. The quantitative data were processed by using STATA 12.0. The qualitative data were content analyzed. The study revealed that border residents were currently experiencing identity crisis and their communities have high rate of crimes and discriminatory infrastructural neglect. Considering the implications of the denials of historical policies to the quality of life and health at the border communities, inclusive policies can better make up for the historical denials.