Title:
Exploring the influencing factors on adolescent sexual behaviour and reproductive health challenges in Nigeria: a case study of plateau state
Authors:
Envuladu, Esther Awazzi
Year:
2016
PAGE:
vi, 78
Subject:
Health and Poverty
Keywords:
Adolescent, sexual behaviour, Sexual and Reproductive health, unintended pregnancy, Plateau State, Nigeria
Abstract:
Introduction: Adolescents in Nigeria initiate sex early and have various sexual experiences with diverse reasons for their sexual behaviour. While some practice safe sex, others engage in unprotected sex resulting in SRH problems such as unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion and STI. Objectives: The study aims to explore factors influencing the sexual behaviour of Nigerian adolescents in order to inform contextually appropriate responses in Plateau State. Methodology: A review of literature and a qualitative study using a combination of FGD among adolescents 18 to 19 years and in-depth interviews with health care providers and parents who have adolescent children. Results: Findings from literature and the case study shows that Adolescents engage in various sexual practices ranging from penetrative vaginal sex to anal sex. Diverse reasons were deduced from the findings for their sexual behaviour to include pleasure; love and peer pressure especially for those in school. Forceful sex and transactional sex was the major reason for those out of school. Multiple and concurrent sexual partners were reported more among out of school females. The major outcomes of adolescent sexual behaviour in both the literature and case study were unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion and STI/HIV. Reports from the case study revealed adolescents have devised local methods of abortion and others consult quacks and none professionals for abortion due to fear, stigma and judgmental attitude of health care providers. Most parents and HCP with the exception of one did not approve of contraceptives for adolescents. Conclusion: Most adolescents practice unprotected sex in Nigeria. While most in school adolescents engage in sex for the pleasure, most out of school had either forceful or transactional sex. Multiple, concurrent and sex with older partners was reported more among out of school adolescent. Unintended pregnancy is common in the study resulting mostly into unsafe abortion for in school females and child marriage for out of school females. Recommendations: Based on the findings of this thesis, there is a need to provide both in school and out of school counseling and SRH services for adolescents. The local methods of abortion should be researched into for better understanding and importantly also is the need to train HCP on ASRH in Nigeria.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
,
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institue)
Department:
Development Policy & Practice
Country:
Nigeria
Region:
West Africa
Training:
International Course in Health Development (ICHD)
Category:
Research
Right:
© 2016 Envuladu
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
HX9tAiH4uQ_20170503121126129.pdf