Unintended Pregnancy is generally considered to be a high-risk event amongst adolescents due to various factors. Understanding factors predicting unintended pregnancies among in-school female adolescents can provide mechanisms for preventing unintended pregnancies and also providing youth friendly centers. In Nigeria, as a whole, unintended pregnancy among adolescents is a daunting problem. Studies have shown the prevalence of unintended pregnancy among adolescents to be 23% in the west, 36% in the southwest and 26% in the North central part of the country. It also ranges from 17% in Edo state and 6.2% in the other Niger Delta states to 49% in Abia State. The main Objective of this study is to investigate the Environmental factors predicting unintended pregnancies among in-school female adolescents in South-South Nigeria. A cross-sectional study which employed the use of quantitative methods of data collection was conducted among 239 in-school female adolescents who were selected through simple random sampling. Data was collected using a semi-structured validated questionnaire with Cronbach’s Alpha that ranged from 0.705 to 0.811. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (logistic regression, correlation and chi-square). The result showed that those with low peer influence as compared with high peer influence were 0.92 times less likely to have unintended pregnancy (Odds ratio; 0.92; CI: 0.78-1.08; p=0.27). Low media influence as compared with those with high media influence had an odds of 1.01 likelihood of unintended pregnancy (Odds ratio=1.01; CI: 0.87-1.17;p=0.007), those with low parent support as compared with those with high parent support were 0.96 times less likely to have unintended pregnancy (Odds ratio=0.96; CI: 0.81-1.14, p=0.66). The environmental factor predictor was media influence while peer influence and parents’ support were not good environmental predictors of unintended pregnancy. Re-engineering media sources are needed to produce more positive and protective behaviours towards adolescent sexuality.

Objective This study investigated the level of knowledge, perception, and subjective norm as correlates for risk reduction in female genital mutilation (FGM) in Osun State, Nigeria. Design and Measurement Data were collected from 376 respondents who were conveniently selected from 4 wards in Ede South LGA with structured questionnaire (75% reliability) and focus group discussion (FGD) guide. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools and hypotheses set at p ≤ 0.05. Results Participants mean age was 38.5 ± 1.29, 79.3% were women, 82.9% were Muslims, and only 34.6% had up to secondary education. Over 38% had at least one of their daughters circumcised, and 54.8% were not aware of the health risks associated with FGM. Majority knew that FGM is prohibited in Nigeria yet 31.9% supported the practice. There were significant correlations (at p < 0.05) between knowledge level (R = 0.348), perception (R = 0.432), subjective norm (R = −0.475), and intention to discontinue FGM. However, these factors are still relatively low. Also, FGDs showed that majority of the respondents were not aware of any health risks associated with FGM but only supported the discontinuation because of public perception in Nigeria. Conclusion The study recommended aggressive public health education drive and awareness campaign focusing on the negative health implications of FGM.

Risky sexual behaviour increases the vulnerability of an adolescents to reproductive health problems like sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancy and abortion. This study therefore investigated the prevalence and personal predictors of risky sexual behaviour among in-school adolescents in the Ikenne Local Government Area, of Ogun State, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 716 participants for the study. A validated semi-structured questionnaire with a Cronbach’s alpha score of 0.78 was used to collect data. Frequency and logistic regression analysis were conducted to give statistical responses to the research question and hypotheses using SPSS version 23. The mean age of the participants was 15.2 ± 1.4 years and 57.3% of the respondents were female. Above a quarter (35.5%) of the respondents were in senior secondary one (SS1) in high school. More than half (53.1%) of the respondents had a good level of knowledge about risky sexual behaviour and 54% of the respondents had a fair perception of it. The respondents’ attitudes towards risky sexual behaviour was moderately high (61.2%). The respondents had moderately high (63.7%) self-esteem. The prevalence of risky sexual behaviour was 19.2%. The personal predictors of risky sexual behaviour are age [odds ratio (OR) = 3.21; p < 0.05); gender [OR = 1.86; confidence interval (CI): 1.26–2.69; p < 0.05]; perception (OR = 2.58; CI: 1.55–4.30; p < 0.05); attitude (OR = 4.58; CI: 1.61–13.05; p < 0.05); self-esteem (OR = 7.39; p < 0.05). In conclusion, the respondents’ risky sexual behaviours are predicted by age, gender, attitude, perception and self-esteem. The study therefore recommends that educational materials about the negative effects of the risky sexual behaviours should be included in the curriculum of secondary schools.

Background:Studies revealed that much of the high infant mortality is related to problems in early infancy such as maternal-fetal blood incompatibility. The study investigated knowledge and practice of expectant mothers about maternal-fetal blood incompatibility at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Ogun state.

Objective: This study examined the perception and practices relating to Hepatitis B infection among In-school adolescents in Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods:  A cross-sectional study of 300 in-school adolescents selected by a multi-stage sampling method. Data were elicited using a pretested self-administered questionnaire which included questions relating to respondents' risky practices, and a 35-point Hepatitis B perception scale. Descriptive statistics, as well as Chi-square statistics, were generated using IBM SPSS Version 23, and the significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 14.31 ± 1.73years and slightly over half (51.7%) were females. Less than half (45%) of the adolescents perceived themselves to be susceptible to Hepatitis B infection, while 31% perceived Hepatitis B infection to be a serious disease. Almost half (49%) of the adolescents had unfavorable perceptions. The most common risky practices among the respondents were sharing skin-piercing instruments with their family members (79%) and friends (68.7%). There are significant associations between sex (gender) and risky practices such as the practices of unsafe sex (X2= 9.11; p=0.10); having multiple sexual partners (X2= 12.08; p =0.02); and sharing skin-piercing instruments (X2= 5.52; p=0.01) with more males reporting the above practices than females. Conclusion/Recommendation: To minimize the identified risky practices and unfavorable perception, educational intervention programs aimed at promoting Hepatitis B virus preventive behaviors and increasing the level of perception of vulnerability and seriousness of HBV infection among in-school adolescents should be conducted.