| dc.description.abstract | Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) problems are emerging public health concerns in Nigeria; yet they can be tackled through Parent-Adolescent intervention. However, paucity of information exists on knowledge and quality of parent-adolescent communication. This study was therefore, designed to evaluate the effects of training on knowledge and quality relating to ARH communication between parents and their adolescents in lbadan, Nigeria. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Egbeda and Ido Local Government Areas, which were randomly selected and allocated into Experimental Group (EG) and Control Group (CG), respectively. A three-stage random sampling technique was used to select 109 Parent-Adolescent Pairs (PAP) from compounds, houses and households in EG and 106 PAP from CG. Interviewer-administered instruments were used to collect data from the parents and adolescents at baseline. Both instruments included a 30-point knowledge scale and questions on ARH practices. The instrument for adolescents contained an additional 15-point Perceived Quality of ARH Communication (PQARHC) scale. Knowledge scores ≤10, >10-20 and >20 were categorised as poor, fair and good, respectively for both parents and adolescents. The PQARHC scores ≤5, >5-10 and >10 were categorised as poor, fair and good. respectively. Baseline results were used to design a training intervention for parents. The intervention enhanced the capacity of parents in EG to discuss ARH issues with their adolescents. Parents in CG were provided leaflet on personal hygiene. A post-intervention survey was conducted among the two groups. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Students' t-tests at p=0.05. Ages of adolescents were 13.9±2.4 (EG), 13.9±2.3 (CG) years while parents' ages were 43.6±9.5 and 42.6±8.5 years, respectively. Parents knowledge scores at baseline were 21.5±3.4 and 21.3±3.3 for EG and CG, respectively with no significant difference. Knowledge of EG and CG at post-intervention were 27.0±1.9 and 23.1±3.0. respectively with a significant difference. At baseline, adolescents in EG and CG whose parents ever discussed ARH issues with them were 20.2% and 21.7%. respectively. At post-intervention, all the adolescents in CG (100.0%) and 4.7% in the control reportedly received ARH information from their parents. Adolescents' knowledge increased from 14.7±5.5 at baseline to 22.9±1.6 significantly, at post-intervention in EG; no such difference was noted among C.G. Parents in EG and CG with good knowledge were 84.4 and 84.0%, respectively with no significant
difference at baseline. Significantly, more parents in EG (100.0%) than control (90.7%) had good knowledge at post-intervention. Adolescent respondents with good knowledge in CG increase significantly) from 8.3% in 92.9% at post-intervention. The proportion of good knowledge at the baseline and post-intervention among CG were 6.6% and 22.1% with significant difference. Adolescent in EG whose PQARHC with their parents was adjudged to be of good quality were 17.4% and 100.0%. respectively with significant difference at post- intervention. Among CG, the values at baseline and post-intervention were 20.8% and 4.7%, respectively with significant difference. Training was effective in improving knowledge and quality of communication among parents and their adolescents in Egbeda Local Government Area. Policy intervention and social-marketing strategies are recommended for institutionalising and scaling up the intervention. | en_US |
