Awareness of the Danger of Teenage Pregnancy and Motherhood Among Teenage Mothers in Zabzugu Hospital, Northern Region
Chapter One
Objective of the Study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain whether teenagers aware of the dangers of teenage pregnancy and motherhood
- To ascertain the factors that predispose teenagers to pregnancy and childbearing
- To ascertain whether teenagers aware of the negative outcomes associated with teenage motherhood
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Pregnancies among youths seems to be one of the social problems facing not only Nigeria, but also several other nations of the world. Surveys by investigators such as Briggs (2001), Gyepi-Garbrah (1985), Onuzulike (2003) and others revealed that teenagers become sexually active at an early age with corresponding high fertility. Teenage sexual activities in Nigeria also tend to be on the increase (Nwosu, 2005, Okafor, 1997). A major consequence of these increase sexual activities among teenagers is out of wedlock pregnancies that may result in abortion, childbirth or even death. Studies have proven that students’ sexual relationship is on the rampage and common in most of African schools (Jones &Espey, 2008; Mgalla, et al., 1998). The trend is rapidly changing and the incidence of student-adolescents’ engaging in sexual relationship is high and may constitute problems (Ngalinda, 1998) including social, health and academic. Students’ sexual activity has resulted into increased cases of unwanted pregnancies, poor academic performance, and eventually school dropouts (Mlyakado, 2013). However, studies in Nigeria have not seriously investigated the effects of sexual relationship on students’ academic performance. Most of previous studies in Nigeria have invested in studying factors affecting academic performance in general. Factors studied include such as teachers’ incompetence, student’s low motivation, teachers’ low morale, the level of sexual activity of students, etc. summarized in Timothy (2010).
Evidences from other countries like Tanzania, Ghana and Cameroon may help to understand the existing relationship between students’ sexual relationship and academic performance. In the United States, a number of studies have proven that, teenagers who abstain from sex are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college than their sexually active peers (Sabia& Rees, 2009). Although American context is not comparable to Nigeria due to great differences of the two countries in socio-economic, educational and technological development, still this review therefore lays a good foundation to understanding sexual behaviors and academic performance of students in different contexts including Nigeria.
It is agreed that a romantic relationship is an important element in an adolescent life. Youth spend much of their time thinking, talking, and engaging in romantic relationships. Strong positive or negative emotions in youth are more commonly caused by romantic relationships as opposed to other kinds of relationships (such as with friends, parents, or school staff) (Furman & Shaffer, 2003).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on practical activities in chemistry in secondary school
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on practical activities in chemistry in secondary school. 200 staff of zabzugu hospital were selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain awareness of the danger of teenage pregnancy and motherhood among teenage mother’s in Zabzugu hospital. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing challenges of awareness of the danger of teenage pregnancy and motherhood among teenage mother’s in Zabzugu hospital
Summary
This study was on awareness of the danger of teenage pregnancy and motherhood among teenage mother’s in Zabzugu hospital. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain whether teenagers aware of the dangers of teenage pregnancy and motherhood, to ascertain the factors that predispose teenagers to pregnancy and childbearing and to ascertain whether teenagers aware of the negative outcomes associated with teenage motherhood. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of Zabzugu hospital. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made doctors, nurses, lab technologist and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
This study identified several challenges faced by teenage mothers. Solutions to the holistic problems of the adolescent mother cannot be found in the activities of a single individual or service. The solutions can only be found through the coordinated effort of a multidisciplinary and intersectoral team. The role of school health nurses should be expanded to providing information on pregnancy and its risks, contraceptive use, abortion and its complications, and early childbirth and its consequences. There is also a need for health educators to focus on local high-risk groups and high-risk behavior. In addition, teenagers should be taught assertive interpersonal skills development, such as negotiating and refusal skills in programs that allow young people to practice these skills. Special programs should be initiated by government and the various responsible departments to address ignorance concerning sexual matters, and the challenges and risks associated with pregnancy and parenting by adolescents. Parenting techniques should be taught in sex education programs.
Recommendation
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made:
- Since majority of the adolescent girls dropped out of school because of teenage pregnancy, school heads should accommodate those who are still interested in continuing with their educational pursuit after having their babies to complete their education by accepting them back.
- Since many of the adolescents indicated ignorance of safe and unsafe period of sex as a factor in teenage pregnancy, programmes aimed at educating youths on sexuality and sex education should be introduced into the school curricula. More counselors should be employed in schools to take care of this aspect of the curricula.
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