Effect of Teenage Pregnancy and Abortion on Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Akwa Ibom State
CHAPTER ONE
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is aimed at investigating the effect of teenage pregnancy and abortion on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in Ibesikpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The objectives of the study will include:
- To assess the influence of sexual activities, peer pressure and social media on students’ academic performance.
- To examine the influence of teenage pregnancy and unsafe abortion on student’s health and academic performance
- To investigate the effect of teenage pregnancy and abortion on students’ study habit.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
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). It is often believed that romantic relationships may negatively affect youth’s academic outcomes because the time spent with a romantic partner might distract one from schoolwork. This intuition is supported by many empirical studies in the literature. Early studies, e.g., Grinder (1966), Larson et al. (1976), and Simmons et al. (1979), found that romantic relationships during high school were linked with lower GPAs or standardized test scores. Some more recent research also reports similar findings. Both Neemann et al. (1995) and Halpern et al. (2000) reported negative associations between academic achievement and romantic relationship in early adolescence. Quatman et al. (2001) found that students who date frequently (more than twice per month) exhibited lower academic achievement and motivation. Rector, Johnson, Noyes & Martin (2003), found that early sexual activity initiated among young girls was related to negative health outcomes (such as an increased rate of getting an STD, increased likelihood of having an abortion, increased rates of depression, and decreased happiness), which are likely to foster negative academic outcomes. However, the existing literature does not conclusively address the causal effect of romantic relationships on academic outcomes. Many existing empirical studies, including more recent ones, were limited in the analyses conducted. For instance, Rector et al. (2003) provides a descriptive analysis in which no covariates were controlled for. The potential sample selection bias is not well addressed either. Namely, students who choose to date frequently may be predisposed to poor academic performance, and romantic relationships and poor academic outcomes may be consequences of other unobserved factors that these students have in common. Similar concerns were raised by Halpern et al. (2000), who found that those who were less academically motivated were more likely to initiate sexual activities early, and those who score higher on intelligence measures were much less likely to be involved in sexual activities during high school. Halpern et al. (2000) suggested a possible reason that highly intelligent students tend to actively postpone romantic activities as a demonstration of their desire to safeguard their future educational plans and avoid risks associated with sexual intercourse (e.g., pregnancy and STDs).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain effect of teenage pregnancy and abortion on academic performance of secondary school students in Akwa Ibom state. 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 teenage pregnancy and abortion on academic performance of secondary school students
Summary
This study was on Effect of teenage pregnancy and abortion on academic performance of secondary school students in Akwa Ibom state. Three objectives were raised which included: To assess the influence of sexual activities, peer pressure and social media on students’ academic performance, To examine the influence of teenage pregnancy and unsafe abortion on student’s health and academic performance and to investigate the effect of teenage pregnancy and abortion on students’ study habit. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from Selected secondary schools in Akwa Ibom state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
Effect of teenage pregnancy and abortion on academic performance of secondary school students in Akwa Ibom state. This is because the teenage mothers attend school irregularly and sometimes drop out of school due to the parenting role which they are now into. While this study revealed that teenage pregnancy and mothering resulted in poor school performance at the case school and has subsequently led to drop out of school, it calls for the policy makers and the Directorate of Education in Akwa Ibom state to hasten the remedial actions to curb this unfortunate situation
Recommendation
School-based sexuality education: An effective sexuality education programme at schools can delay the initiation of sex, reduce the frequency of sex and number of partners and increase contraceptive use and risky sexual behavior. The best sexuality education programme for teenage (schoolgirl) pregnancy requires sober reflection on the complexity of the problem.
More so, the curriculum for school-based sexuality education should, inter alia, include the Information on reproductive health problems such as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV/AIDS and the health risks of teenage pregnancy. Give them advice about the different contraceptive methods that are available and knowledge about their correct use. Intervention procedures that focus on the risky sexual behavior of adolescent learners should be taught. For the effective implementation of the curriculum the Ministry of Education should secure support from health Ministry and appropriate community organizations. Also provide monitoring, supervision and support. Furthermore The Ministry of Education should facilitate Training of school management teams in methods to deal with schoolgirl pregnancy. Workshops to school boards on how to deal with schoolgirl pregnancies should be initiated.
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