Perception and attitudes of parents towards teenage pregnancy in a rural community of Cross river state, Nigeria

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is a social menace and common public health problem. It is detrimental to both mother and child because teenage mother is not physically, psychologically and economically ready to bear a child. This phenomenon has multiple adverse consequences on maternal health, child health and overall wellbeing of the society. This study investigated the perception and attitudes of parents towards teenage pregnancy in a rural community in Akpabuyo Local Government Area. The objectives included: to determine parents' perception on teenage pregnancy and to determine parents' attitudes towards teenage pregnancy. A null hypothesis was stated to test the association between demographic characteristics of parents and their attitude towards teenage pregnancy. Descriptive survey was used and data were collected through self administered questionnaire to a sample of 309 respondents selected through purposive sampling. SPSS version 21.0 was utilized for data analysis. The findings included that 93% of parents claimed that a pregnant teenager outside wedlock is a social deviant and 85.8% said teenage pregnancy is a sign of parental failure. Their attitudinal behaviour showed that the affected girl would be sent away from the family (32.7%), parents would stop her education (49.8%) and that the girl would be abandoned to the man/boy responsible for the pregnancy. Sociodemographic characteristics of parents depicted by gender, education and religion were significantly associated with the attitudes of parents towards teenage pregnancy. Conclusion was made that gaps exist in parental perception and attitudes towards teenage pregnant girls. Therefore, it is recommended that parents should reappraise and strengthen their obligations towards their adolescent/teenage daughters to enable them achieve their full potentials through prevention of teenage pregnancies.

The prevalence of teenage pregnancy and early motherhood and its associated factors among late adolescent (15–19) years girls in the Gambia: based on 2019/20 Gambian demographic and health survey data

“…On the other hand, in addition to participants' expression of sexual behaviours and tendencies to have sexual life, another external pressure from the parents and other relatives perhaps increases the risk of having marriage due to the parent's belief that the girl is old enough to get married. For the sake of their morale and the culture of the society, they can force girls with the idea of marrying and to prevent giving birth to a girl out of wedlock [ 24 , 49 , 50 ].…”

Effects of a Community-Based Program on Voluntary Modern Contraceptive Uptake Among Young First-Time Parents in Cross River State, Nigeria

“…In CRS (as in other parts of Nigeria and in the global context), where fertility is highly valued within the institution of marriage, unmarried young mothers often endure additional stigma and discrimination within their communities and families due to an early, unplanned, and unwanted pregnancy. [9][10][11] As a result, they may experience adverse social consequences such as curtailment of their education, decreased mobility, financial deprivation, and increased social isolation. 9,12 Young men who unexpectantly become fathers for the first time may also face numerous challenges in continuing their education and providing adequate financial support for themselves and their new family.…”

The Effects of Parents’ Reactions towards Teenage Pregnancy on Pregnant Teenagers’ Educational Aspirations in Secondary Schools in Buea Sub-division, South West Region of Cameroon

“…This is in line with what Fernandes et al [35] said that the news of teenage daughter's pregnancy is unpleasant to parents. Mgbokwere, Esienumoh and Uyana [39] in their study, confirmed that parents' negative attitudes toward teenage pregnancy affect the girl in such a way that parents stop her education, the girl is sent away from the family and the girl is abandoned to the man/boy responsible for the pregnancy. Findings also showed that parents' unpleasant reaction towards teenage pregnancy affect their educational aspirations.…”

“…Mgbokwere, Esienumoh and Uyana [39] investigated on the perception and attitudes of parents towards teenage pregnancy in a rural community in Akpabuyo Local Government Area. The objectives included: to determine parents' perception on teenage pregnancy and to determine parents' attitudes towards teenage pregnancy.…”