Knowledge and Perception of Teenage Pregnancy Among Senior Secondary Students
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To find out the causes of teenage pregnancy among senior secondary school students
- To find out whether teenage pregnancy result in school dropout among senior secondary school students
- To investigate whether parents and guidance failure to educate their children on sex education cause teenage pregnancy
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW 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.
Chapter Three
Research methodology
Research Design
The research design adopted in this research work is the survey research design which involves the usage of self-designed questionnaire in the collection of data. Under the survey research design, primary data of this study will be collected from selected secondary schools in Nyanya Abuja in order to determine knowledge and perception of teenage pregnancy among senior secondary students. The design was chosen because it enables the researcher to collect data without manipulation of any variables of interest in the study. The design also provides opportunity for equal chance of participation in the study for respondents.
Population of Study
The population of study is the census of all items or a subject that possess the characteristics or that have the knowledge of the phenomenon that is being studied (Asiaka, 1991). It also means the aggregate people from which the sample is to be drawn.
Population is sometimes referred to as the universe. The population of this research study will be Seventy-five (75) selected secondary schools in Nyanya Abuja
Sample Size and Sampling Techniques
The researcher made use of stratified sampling technique because all the members have the same probability of occurrence. The researcher narrowed down the samples to selected secondary schools in Nyanya, Abuja in order to determine knowledge and perception of teenage pregnancy among senior secondary students.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
This chapter is about the analysis and presentation of data collected from the field through questionnaire. The analysis of the data with particular question immediately followed by the presentation of findings.
As mentioned in chapter three, 63 questionnaires were administered and 50 were retrieved and necessary analysis was carried out on them and presented as follows:
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain knowledge and perception of teenage pregnancy among secondary school students. 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 the challenges of knowledge and perception of teenage pregnancy among secondary school students.
Summary
This study was on knowledge and perception of teenage pregnancy among secondary school students. Three objectives were raised which included: To find out the causes of teenage pregnancy among senior secondary school students, to find out whether teenage pregnancy result in school dropout among senior secondary school students and to investigate whether parents and guidance failure to educate their children on sex education cause teenage pregnancy. The total population for the study is 75 selected secondary schools in Nyanya, Abuja. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
The study showed that most of the adolescents had poor knowledge of teenage pregnancy and the likely consequences. It was evident that poor knowledge was especially higher among the sexually active adolescents. Peer pressure seems to be a significant factor influence sexual activity. However, poor knowledge of teenage pregnancy and associated consequences prevail among female adolescents in the state. Sexual education and increased awareness are recommended to curb the spread of teen pregnancy in this region.
Recommendation
Sensitization programs should be initiated by relevant bodies to educate the populace on the impact of teenage pregnancies
Psychological help should be provided to students in secondary to help them deal with pressures of peers and societal stigmatization. School-based daycare facilities should be provided for soon to be/already teenage parents
Contraceptive education should be introduced in secondary schools.
Policies that facilitate better health care services for teenagers should be deployed by government and non-government organizations.
References
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- ACOG. Adolescent Pregnancy, Contraception, and Sexual Activity. Am Coll Obstet Gynecol [Internet]. 2019];126(640):691–2. [Cited 2021 Sep 12].
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