No abstract

Despite the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Nigerian youths, mental health care access and usage in this population is extremely low. This review examines emerging adults’ awareness and perceptions of mental health problems and services in Nigeria. Specifically, we (1) provide background information about mental health perception, services, and challenges in Nigeria; (2) describe the current state of mental health among emerging adult population in Nigeria; (3) discuss risk factors among emerging adults in Nigeria; (4) document emerging adults’ perception of mental health problems and services in Nigeria, and potential explanations for this trend. We conclude with a discussion of practices and policies. In a nation like Nigeria, where mental health services are scarce and health gaps and disparities abound, the value of mental health awareness and realistic health policies cannot be overstated.

This study assessed the characterization of parent-adolescents’ sexual communication of secondary school students in Abeokuta South Local Government of Ogun State, Nigeria. 411 adolescents were selected using multistage sampling techniques. Quantitative data was obtained with a semi-structured questionnaire. An in-depth interview was carried out to further explore parent-adolescent sexual communication as a representation of the qualitative data. Both quantitative and qualitative data collected were analysed using descriptive and thematic content analyses. Results revealed that most (64.5%) of the respondents had moderate perception of parent-adolescent communication. The findings of the qualitative analysis revealed themes of sexual communication including puberty, abstinence from sex, and HIV/AIDS. Parents’ awareness to sexual communication promoting was associated to physical changes during puberty and adolescents’ attitudes. Although, adolescents prefer to discuss sexual issues with their mothers, time factor for such discussion was a major constraint. In addition, adolescent perceived unwillingness on the part of parent to initiate or sustain sexual communication issues despite their knowledgeability. Adolescents perceived that their parents are knowledgeable about sexual communication but not willing to communicate sexual issues with them. The study concludes that parents’ unwillingness for sexual talk and time factors could pose threats to achieving effective parent-adolescent sexual communication. Hence, it is recommended that parents should engage in timely communication on sexual related issues often during early adolescence phase. It is imperative for fathers also, to create a conducive atmosphere for active sexual communication with their children especially male adolescents.

The study examined the perception on dating, courtship and marriage amongst undergraduates in Federal Tertiary Institutions in Ogun State. The study adopted a survey design. The sample size consisted of 445 students using random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire constructed by the researchers. Results indicated that 57.8%  were of the opinion that marriage shouldn’t be an obligation as it is in our society, 77.5% agreed that to be adequately prepared for adulthood, dating must be practiced, the study also revealed that 97.1% agreed that courtship prepares individuals for marriage life. The study further indicated that there was a significant relationship between undergraduates perception on courtship and mother’s educational level with a value of (χ2 = 13.21. P <0.05). The study concluded that dating helps in the development of adolescents but could pose dangers if not properly practiced, courtship is a structured relationship leading to a long lasting union. It is recommended that practices of sexual adventures a as a result of dating calls for family life education as it would equip young people with knowledge on dating.

The study examined the impact of parents – teenagers’ communication on sex education. Three research questions were generated for this study. The study utilized a purposive sampling technique to select 246 parents in Abeokuta Metropolis. Results indicated that 59.8% of parents disagreed to discussing sex education with their children until they are fully matured, 76.8% of the parents wait for the right mood of their teenagers before giving them sex education and 63.7% of the parents reported that their teenage child find them boring whenever they want to give them sex education. It was recommended that parents should endeavour to be a friend to their children even before their teen years so as to enable an effective parent – teenagers’ communication.