Factors that Influence Parent-Adolescent Communication on Adolescent Reproductive Health in Benue State Nigeria

Main Authors: Rimamnunra, GN, Anenga, UM, Bitto, TT, Areo, OO, Ukpabi, DE, Bako, IA, Utoo. PM, Swende, TZ
Format: Article Journal
Terbitan: , 2021
Subjects:
Online Access: https://zenodo.org/record/6330143
Daftar Isi:
  • Abstract Communication between parents and adolescents on Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) is vital in tackling the rising problems associated with ARH (Adolescent Reproductive Health). Many adolescents rely on their peers and social media for information about sex that may be inaccurate and often have to bear with negative consequences. The aim of this study is to assess factors that influence parent-adolescent communication on adolescent reproductive health in Benue state Nigeria. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Junior Secondary School (JSS) 1-3 and Senior Secondary School (SSS) 1-2 in six schools selected from Makurdi and Gboko Local Government Areas (LGA) of Benue state ( 3 schools from each LGA). Data was collected from 1000 participants, 500 from each LGA using structured, pretested, and self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 20. This study revealed that Parent's gender was found to influence parent-adolescent communication positively as more fathers (48.1%-Makurdi, 38.9%-Gboko) communicated regularly (daily and weekly) with their adolescents than the mothers (31.8%-Makurdi, 38.7%-Gboko). Whereas parents with tertiary level of education engaged more regularly in parent-adolescent communication in both LGAs and those within 30-50 years age group were more regular in their communication than the older parents in both LGAs. Occupation also influenced parent-adolescent communication; those engaged in farming and fishing [O.R.= 11.790, 95% C.I.( 3.257-42.719), P = 0.001 ] were more likely to engage in parent-adolescent communication than those in other occupational groups. In conclusion, this study showed that parent-adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health is affected by parents' gender, level of education and occupation. It is therefore important that awareness creation on parent-adolescent communication be intensified in schools, hospitals, religious institutions and social media considering the positive impact of this on ASRH