ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY IN THE PORT HARCOURT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF RIVERS STATE: IMPLICATION FOR HEALTH EDUCATION

Abstract

This is an exploratory descriptive study with the purpose of providing some information on the problems of adolescent pregnancy and early motherhood and health education intervention in the Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA) of Rivers State. The objectives of the study are to assess the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy among females 15 - 19 years, the frequency of pregnancy-related complications among them, their level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of contraceptives, the socio-economic determinants of adolescent pregnancy and finally to suggest health education intervention for the reduction of adolescent pregnancy in the Port Harcourt Local Government Area. One structured questionnaire was developed and applied to each of the following study groups: pregnant adolescents; their parents or guardians; husband/male partners; students and teachers of post primary institutions and family welfare workers. Analysis of prevalence data in health facilities revealed that about 13.6% of pregnancies in the Port Harcourt Local Government Area were among females aged 15 - 19 years but the standard statistical estimation of the population put the prevalence between 4.64% and 12.72%. Findings also revealed that recorded pregnancy-related complications among adolescents in health facilities for 1990 anti 1991 were high blood pressure (37.9%). anaemia and miscarriage (15.2%) each, operative delivery (13.6%) and premature labour (7.6%). With regards to the information on knowledge and practices of contraception among the adolescents the findings revealed that 68.3% had no knowledge of contraceptives and 94.8% had never used contraceptives. Comparatively, 17.9% of parents/guardians did not know much about contraception and have wrong notion about contraceptives. There was no significant difference in contraceptive knowledge between students of post primary schools and pregnant adolescents seen at health facilities (P> 0.05) but there was significant difference in contraceptive practice between students and pregnant adolescents (P< 0.05). Only 1(0.9%) student had practiced contraception compared with 10 (8.3%) of pregnant adolescents, who indicated that they practiced contraception. The demographic characteristics of the pregnant adolescents revealed that 64.9% of them were married, 32.8% had primary six, 42.2% Junior Secondary School certificate (JSS), 13.1% dropped out of school and 5.9% did not attend any formal school at all. Likewise, 30.4% of parents/guardians had primary six, 16.2% WASC/GCE, 8.1% University degree, 15.5% dropped out of school and 26.4% did not attend any school at all. The findings point to the need to introduce and strengthen health education on family life and sexuality in schools (Kindergarten through senior secondary school). To this end teachers should be trained and well prepared for family life and sex education in teacher training institutions. A mass media campaign to erode old fashioned traditions that subject adolescents to early marriages should be initiated with support from social and cultural institutions in the community and political support from Federal and State authorities. The dissemination of contraceptive information and provision of services should be extended to sexually active adolescents. Income generating activities should be instituted by Governments for adolescents so as to occupy them in gainful employment. Government should support comprehensive health services for adolescents that will reduce unwanted pregnancy.