Parental Knowledge, Willingness, and Attitude towards Contraceptive Usage among Their Unmarried Adolescents in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background. Adolescence is a time of opportunity, vulnerability, and risk, particularly in relation to health, unsafe sexual activity, and reproductive health. Neglecting their reproductive health issues leads to a great risk of agonizing transition to parenthood, lifetime effects, and early pregnancy, which can compromise educational achievements and economic potentials. Meeting the reproductive health needs of adolescents mostly rests on the parents’ shoulders. Thus, this study explored parental knowledge, willingness, and attitude towards contraceptive use among their unmarried adolescents. Methods. This was an analytical cross-sectional study design. The multistage sampling technique was used to recruit 360 parents from Ekpoma community, Edo State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to generate data for this study. Data processing and analysis were done using SPSS version 24. In order to determine association with outcome variables, chi-square ( χ 2 ) and Fisher’s exact test statistics were used while statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 . Results. The proportion of parental knowledge on contraceptive methods was at 96.9%, parental willingness for their adolescents’ contraceptive uptake at 31.7%, and positive attitude at 24.2%. Associated factors for parental knowledge of contraceptives include gender ( χ 2 = 8.655 , p = 0.003 ), age ( † = 13.377 , p = 0.001 ), marital status ( † = 133.730 , p < 0.001 ), educational level ( † = 103.689 , p < 0.001 ), religion ( † = 164.592 , p < 0.001 ), ethnicity ( † = 25.273 , p < 0.001 ), and duration of marriage ( † = 11.365 , p = 0.008 ). Factors such as educational level ( † = 21.220 , p < 0.001 ), marital status ( † = 9.001 , p = 0.022 ), and religion ( † = 6.058 , p = 0.046 ) were associated with parental attitude towards contraceptives for their unmarried adolescents. Education level ( † = 19.905 , p < 0.001 ) was associated with parental willingness for their unmarried adolescents’ use of contraceptives. Conclusion. Although parents have good knowledge of contraception, this knowledge has not been passed on to their adolescents. However, few parents would encourage their adolescents to use contraceptives and advise the use of condoms if they are sexually active. Parents should be advised about contraceptive matters further to influence their adolescents’ attitudes towards its usage. Establishing youth-friendly health centers will also encourage health information use and exposure.

Prevalence and factors associated with contraceptive use among sexually active adolescent girls in 25 sub-Saharan African countries

“…In this study, sexually active adolescent girls with primary or higher education are more likely to use contraceptives than those with no formal education. Previous studies in SSA countries such as Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria found a link between educational level and contraceptive use among adolescents [ 18 , 20 , 34 ]. Education boosts adolescents’ self-esteem, confidence, reproductive health rights, and willingness to use contraceptives in order to avoid unwanted pregnancy in Benin and South Africa [ 22 , 23 ].…”

“…As a result, married adolescents in these countries are less likely to use contraceptives as they may prioritise getting pregnant in line with the prevailing cultural norms [ 10 , 35 – 37 ]. Past studies noted that contraception is thought to encourage promiscuity in adolescent girls, thus making husbands to discourage their younger wives from using contraceptives [ 34 , 38 ].…”

Role of sociocultural beliefs/norms on level of access and uptake of contraceptives among unmarried adolescent girls in Nigeria: A systematic review study

“…A study by exploring parental knowledge and attitudes on contraceptive usage among unmarried adolescents in Nigeria revealed that parents often provide protective education based on cultural and religious beliefs, and not offering the needed support unmarried adolescent girls from considering contraceptive options. 2 The findings from this review identified that parents in some parts of Nigeria, only discuss contraceptives or sex-related matters when there is an unpleasant incident related to contraceptive use or sex-related subjects in the community. These discussions serve as deterrents, aiming to protect adolescent girls from sexual involvement and discourage the desire for contraceptive uptake.…”

“…1 As such, adolescence is often characterized by a higher sexual vulnerability and risk of unplanned pregnancy. 2 In Nigeria, there are over 30 million girls aged 10-19 years, accounting for 22.5 percent of the total population, 3 with an increasing premarital sexual engagement and low age at sexual debut. 1 The incidence of unplanned pregnancy is often characterized by instances of unsafe abortion and career interruption, resulting in economic hardship and a devastating future for adolescent girls.…”

Contraceptive use: Does data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey indicate a shift from awareness to actual practice among sexually active childbearing women in South-south Nigeria?

“…There is shared historical, political, social, economic, cultural, and religious settings among the states in the South-south geopolitical zone. Despite these overlapping circumstances, some scholars [13,14,15] have neglected to examine the knowledge of contraceptives transitioning to actual use in South-south Nigeria. Therefore, this study examined contraceptive use among sexually active childbearing women in Nigeria's South-south geopolitical region.…”