Main Article Content
Teenage Pregnancy: Knowledge and Attitude of Adolescents in Southeast Nigeria.
Abstract
Aim: A cross sectional study carried out in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria to determine the perception of adolescents to teenage pregnancy.
Subject and Method: Four secondary schools were randomly selected for the conduct of the survey. One hundred and thirty (130) students in the senior secondary classes were randomly selected in each of the chosen school giving a total of 520 subjects. Trained interviewers were used to administer structured questionnaires to the students.
Results: The result revealed a high level of awareness of teenage pregnancy amongst the adolescents (71.8%); 5.1% (16) of the girls and 8.1% (15) of the boys reported having been involved in teenage pregnancy. Over 92% (444) of the respondents showed disapproval to it while 4.4% (21) were indifferent and 3.5 (17) consider it acceptable. Substantial proportions of the students 29.8% (143) do not know how to avoid teenage pregnancy. Contraception is not the favoured option but rather abstinence. Abortion is low on the line of action subjects will take if they fall victim to unintended pregnancy.
Conclusion: It is advocated that an urgent action be taken by policy makers to reduce the prevalence of teenage pregnancy to save the youths from undue hardship imposed on them by unintended pregnancy and also check the spread of AIDS. Adolescents should be encouraged to use contraceptives if they cannot abstain from sex before marriage.
Key Words: Teenage Pregnancy, Knowledge. Attitude, Adolescents.
[Jnl College of Medicine Vol.7(2) 2002: 104-107]
Subject and Method: Four secondary schools were randomly selected for the conduct of the survey. One hundred and thirty (130) students in the senior secondary classes were randomly selected in each of the chosen school giving a total of 520 subjects. Trained interviewers were used to administer structured questionnaires to the students.
Results: The result revealed a high level of awareness of teenage pregnancy amongst the adolescents (71.8%); 5.1% (16) of the girls and 8.1% (15) of the boys reported having been involved in teenage pregnancy. Over 92% (444) of the respondents showed disapproval to it while 4.4% (21) were indifferent and 3.5 (17) consider it acceptable. Substantial proportions of the students 29.8% (143) do not know how to avoid teenage pregnancy. Contraception is not the favoured option but rather abstinence. Abortion is low on the line of action subjects will take if they fall victim to unintended pregnancy.
Conclusion: It is advocated that an urgent action be taken by policy makers to reduce the prevalence of teenage pregnancy to save the youths from undue hardship imposed on them by unintended pregnancy and also check the spread of AIDS. Adolescents should be encouraged to use contraceptives if they cannot abstain from sex before marriage.
Key Words: Teenage Pregnancy, Knowledge. Attitude, Adolescents.
[Jnl College of Medicine Vol.7(2) 2002: 104-107]
