ABSTRACT
This study examines the knowledge and the attitude on the causes and effect of teenage pregnancy among individual in Emaudo Esan West Local Government Area Ekpoma, Edo State. Teenage pregnancies are extreemely common and have become a big challenge and a critical issue facing Africa. Teenage pregnancy refers to any pregnancy that took place between 13-19 years old. The data was collected using a simple random sampling technique from 250 respondents at Emaudo Community Ekpoma. The result shows that 150 (60%) of the population agreed they had knowledge of teenage pregnancy why 35 (14%) do not, also 130 (52%) and 100 (40%) agrees teenage pregnancy is a social and health problem. 120 (48%), 100 (40%) and another 100 (40%) of the respondent agreed that teenage pregnancy increase the rate of school dropout, result in financial difficulty and increases the risk of HIV and AIDS and STD’s transmission respectively. The hypothesis test shows there is a relationship between knowledge and attitude on the effect of teenage pregnancies. The study concluded that the participant have a good understanding on the magnitude of teenage pregnancies.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title page…………………………………………………………………………..…i
Certification………………..…………………………………………..………..…iii
Abstract…………………..…………………………………..………………….….iv
Dedication……………..……………………………………………………………..v
Acknowledgement…………………………………………………………………….vi
Table of content……………………………………………………………………vii
List of tables………………..……………………………………………………………….xi
Appendix………………………………………………………………………..…x
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction……………………………………………………..………………….1
Background to the study……………………………………………………………..1
Statement of the problem……………………………………………………..…….3
Objectives of the study……………………………………………………….……..3
Significance of the study……………………..………………………………….…4
Research question………………………………………………………….……….4
Research hypothesis………………………………………………………..……….5
Scope of study……………………………………………………………..……….5
Limitations of the study………………………………………………………..…..5
Operational definition of study…………………………………………………….6
CHAPTER TWO
Literature review
Empirical review……………………………………………………………………7
Teenage pregnancies in nigeria……………………………………………………11
Causes of teenage pregnancy………………………………………………………13
Consequences of teenage pregnancy…………….………………………………….19
The prevention of teenage pregnancies…………………………….……………….26
The role of nurses in curbing teenage pregnancies…………………………………28
Nursing model/ framework………………………………………………………..30
CHAPTER THREE
Methodology……………………………………………………………………….35
CHAPTER FOUR
Data analysis…………………………………………………………..…………..38
CHAPTER FIVE
Discussions of findings………………………..…………………………………..47
Nursing implications…………………………………………………….…………50
Summary……………………………………………………………….………….50
Conclusion………………………………………………………………….………50
Recommendations………………………………………………………………….51
Suggestion for further studies………………………………………………………52
References…………………………………………………………………………53
Appendix…………………………………………………………………….…….59
LIST OF TABLES
Table Pages
SectionA: Bio Data……………………………………………………..………….38
Table 4.1: Social-demographic characteristics of respondent………………………38
Table 4.2: Showing the levels of awareness and knowledge about teenage pregnancies…………………………………………………………………………41
Table 4.3: Showing the respondents knowledge of teenage pregnancies based on their educational level…………………………………………………….………..42
Table 4.4: Showing the respondents knowledge of the consequences of teenage pregnancies within the area of study…………………………………….………..43
Table 4.5: Showing the respondents knowledge of the consequences of teenage pregnancies within the area of study……………………………………………..44
APPENDIX
Appendix Pages
Questionnaire……………………………………………………………………..59
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the study
Teenage pregnancies are extremely common and have become a big challenge and a critical issue facing Africa. This point of view is supported by Msimanga (2006) cited in Gauteng Department of Education (2007) in her statement that teenage pregnancies have reached a threatening level in Africa as seeing that many teenagers fall pregnant at a very immature age. The Health Statistics (2007) reported that each year, adolescents become pregnant prior to the age of twenty, bringing a rounded figure of a million in a year. Nigeria is battling to overcome its HIV/AIDS pandemic, however the fact that the country’s teenagers are becoming sexually active and pregnant at a very young age is another contributing challenge to deal with. The results of the studies done showed that approximately 90% of the teenagers are sexually active (Love Life, 2007). Sexual activity exposes teenagers to sexually transmitted diseases (STD‟s) and increases their risk to become HIV/AIDS infected. Health Statistics (2007) reported that one in five pregnant teenagers is infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. This creates a new imperative to understand teenage pregnancies and the pattern of high risk sexual activity that teenagers indulge in (Msimanga, 2006).
According to Love Life (2007) a variety of research studies and programmes have been developed and implemented to investigate and address the issues of teenage pregnancies in Africa. Some studies have contributed to a better understanding of the phenomenon of teenage pregnancy and its challenges. Much effort has also been put into increasing the sex education and promotion of safer sex programmes to prevent teenage pregnancies. However, it seems that despite these efforts, there is no indication of reduction of teenage pregnancy rates in Nigeria. The alarming rate of teenage pregnancies among Nigerians became a driving force for the researcher to investigate this particular phenomenon. Health Statistics (2007) showed that the teenage pregnancy rate in Nigeria is 90%. The implication of this is that the majority of teenagers do not complete their secondary schooling. It seems that the knowledge and awareness of adolescents with regards to the implications and consequences of teenage pregnancy are inadequate and more detailed research is deemed necessary. Teenagers are at a vulnerable stage in their development as they have to face and deal with many challenges. Becoming pregnant hinders teenagers from reaching their potential and dreams and might limit their future prospects. Social work is a society based profession whose main aim is to address social issues and to protect the vulnerable populations such as children, as well as working to improve the interests of the children. On a daily basis social workers deal with teenagers some of whom are pregnant. Therefore, this study is likely to contribute to the knowledge base of the social work profession in that a better understanding of the issues teenagers are confronted with will be created. Social workers would probably also gain more insight into the phenomenon which will enable them to respond positively and effectively in helping adolescents in preventing and dealing with teenage pregnancy. The outcome of the study could also assist social workers in influencing policy development and advocating policy implementation.
Statement of the problem
Teenage pregnancy is significant medical and social problem in many parts of the world. Complication of the child birth and unsafe abortion are among the main causes of death for women under 20. Early teenage pregnancy can cause severe health problems for both the mother and child. Moreover, an early start to childbearing greatly reduces women’s educational and employment opportunities and is associated with higher levels of fertility.
Objectives of the study
The purpose of the study is to explore the levels of knowledge and attitude on the effects of teenage pregnancy. The study has the following specific objectives:
- To assess knowledge of adolescent about teenage pregnancy.
- To determine the attitude of adolescent on the causes of teenage pregnancy.
- To determine the attitude of adolescent towards the effect of teenage pregnancy.
Significance of the study
This study is important being that it will help in the enhancement of people’s knowledge on rate of teenagers indulging in Teenage Pregnancy.
The study will help participants come to the reality and reflect on the effects and problems attached in teenage pregnancy. This will further help in preventing teenagers from indulging in sexual acts that will cause early pregnancy.
Research question
Questions put forward to guide this study include:
- What are the knowledge of adolescent about teenage pregnancy in the study area?
- What are the attitudes of adolescent on the causes of teenage pregnancy?
- What is the attitude of adolescent towards the effect of teenage pregnancy?
Research hypothesis
Ho: There is no relationship between knowledge andattitude on the effect of teenage pregnancies.
Scope of study
The respondents for this study were teenagers in Emaudo and environ. The sample for this study was drawn through purposive sampling. Purposive sampling is a type of sampling that is based on the judgment of the researcher and allows the researcher to select a sample that is representative of the population.
Operational definition of term
- Teenagers: They are the ones involved in this case. They could be helped through the informative content of this study. They could realize the negative effects of teenage pregnancy and how it could change their whole life.
- Attitude:Refers to actions taken towards the occurrence of a particular scourge in this case teenage pregnancy.
- Knowledge: knowledge is the awareness of a particular fact or situation or a state of being informed or made aware of something.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy is the time during which one or more offspring develops inside a woman.
- Teenage pregnancy: Thisrefers to any pregnancy on women that took place between the ages 13-19 years old.
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