Teachers’ Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health Interventions for In-school Adolescents in Nigeria

Joshua O. Aransiola, Sola Asa, Patience Obinjuwa, Oluseyi Olarewaju, Olubukola O. Ojo, Adesegun O. Fatusi

Abstract

High prevalence of early and unprotected sex, resulting in adverse reproductive health outcomes, has been reported among adolescents in Nigeria. While school-based sexual and reproductive health interventions for in-school adolescents is widely recognized, little is known on the kind of involvements desired by teachers and their perceptions of handling students’ reproductive health concerns. In this study, the teachers favoured school-based reproductive health education (RHE), but have divers’ opinions on what should be included in such RHE. Majority was not willing or comfortable in personal counseling of students but can teach RHE in classroom environment. They support the current approach of expelling pregnant school girls. The article advocates for gender-sensitive and developmental-oriented approaches that will ensure rehabilitation and re-integration of pregnant girls into the school system after their delivery, and recommend the need to build teachers skills and promote students-teachers dialogue in order to optimize school environment for addressing ASRH. (Afr J Reprod Health 2013; 17[4]: 84-92).

Full Text:

PDF

References

Fawole OI, Asuzu MC, Oduntan SO. Survey of knowledge, attitudes and sexual practices relating to HIV infection/AIDS among Nigerian secondary school students. African Journal of Reproductive Health 1999:15-24.

Jejeebhoy SJ. Adolescent sexual and reproductive behavior: a review of the evidence from India. Social Science & Medicine 1998;46(10):1275-90.

Cohall AT, Cohall R, Dye B, Dini S, Vaughan RD, Coots S. Overheard in the halls: What adolescents are saying, and what teachers are hearing, about health issues. Journal of school health 2007;77(7):344-50.

Fatusi AO, Hindin MJ. Adolescents and youth in developing countries: Health and development issues in context. Journal of Adolescence 2010;33(4):499-508.

Slap GB, Lot L, Huang B, Daniyam CA, Zink TM, Succop PA. Sexual behaviour of adolescents in Nigeria: cross sectional survey of secondary school students. BMJ 2003;326(7379):15.

Amuyunzu-Nyamongo M, Biddlecom AE, Ouedraogo C, Woog V. Qualitative evidence on adolescents’ views of sexual and reproductive health in Sub-Saharan Africa. Occasional Report 2005;16.

Caldwell JC, Orubuloye IO, Caldwell P. Fertility decline in Africa: A new type of transition? Population and development review 1992:211-42.

Hammed MK, Adedigba M, Ogunbodede OE. The role of secondary school teachers in HIV prevention in Nigeria. Vulnerable children and youth studies 2007;2(2):173-79.

Orji E, Esimai O. Sexual behaviour and contraceptive use among secondary school students in Ilesha South West Nigeria. Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2005;25(3):269-72.

Fawole I, Asuzu M, Oduntan S, Brieger W. A school-based AIDS education programme for secondary school students in Nigeria: a review of effectiveness. Health education research 1999;14(5):675-83.

Adegbenro CA, Adeniyi J, Oladepo O. Effect of Training Programme on Secondary Schools Teachers' Knowledge and Attitude towards Reproductive Health Education in Rural Schools IIe-Ife, Nigeria Attitude towards Reproductive Health Education in Rural Schools IIe-Ife, Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health 2007;10(3):98-105.

Fatusi AO, Blum RW. Predictors of early sexual initiation among a nationally representative sample of Nigerian adolescents. BMC Public Health 2008;8:1-14.

National Population Commission (NPC), ICF Macro. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2010. Calverton, Maryland, USA. 2010.

National Population Commission (NPC), ICF Macro. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2008. Calverton, Maryland, USA 2008.

World Health Organisation. World report on violence and health. World Health Organization, Geneva 2002:1–372.

Cook RJ, Erdman JN, Dickens BM. Respecting adolescents’ confidentiality and reproductive and sexual choices. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics 2007;98(2):182-87.

Kilmarx PH. Global epidemiology of HIV. Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS 2009;4(4):240-46 10.1097/COH.0b013e32832c06db.

Bankole A, Ahmed FH, Neema S, Ouedraogo C, Konyani S. Knowledge of correct condom use and consistency of use among adolescents in four countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. African Journal of Reproductive Health 2007;11(3):197-220.

East L, Jackson D, O'Brien L, Peters K. Use of the male condom by heterosexual adolescents and young people: literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing 2007;59(2):103-10.

Kirby D, Laris B, Rolleri L. The Impact of Sex and HIV Education Programs on Youths in Developing Countries, . Research Triangle Park, NC, Family Health International 2006.

Kirby D, Obasi A, Laris B. The Effectiveness of Sex Education and HIV Education Interventions in Developing Countries in D. Ross, B. Dick and Ferguson (Eds.) Preventing HIV in Young People: A Systematic Review of the Evidence from Developing Countries. Geneva: World Health Organization 2006.

Mayor S. News: Pregnancy and childbirth are leading causes of death in teenage girls in developing countries. Bmj 2004;328:1152.

Dangal G. An update on teenage pregnancy. The Internet Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2005;5(1):205-07.

Ajuwon A, Olaleye A, Faromoju B, Ladipo O. Sexual behavior and experience of sexual coercion among secondary school students in three states in North Eastern Nigeria. BMC Public Health 2006;6(1):310.

Olukoya A, Kaya A, Ferguson B, AbouZahr C. Unsafe abortion in adolescents. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics 2001;75(2):137-47.

Blum RW, Nelson-Mmari K. The health of young people in a global context. Journal of Adolescent Health 2004;35(5):402-18.

Klein JD. Adolescent pregnancy: Current trends and issues. Pediatrics 2005;116(1):281-86.

Kaaya SF, Mukoma W, Flisher AJ, Klepp K. School‐based sexual health interventions in sub‐Saharan Africa: A review. Social Dynamics 2002;28(1):64-88.

Kinsler J, Sneed CD, Morisky DE, Ang A. Evaluation of a school-based intervention for HIV/AIDS prevention among Belizean adolescents. Health education research 2004;19(6):730-38.

Kirby D. The impact of schools and school programs upon adolescent sexual behavior. Journal of Sex Research 2002;39(1):27-33.

Parwej S, Kumar R, Walia I, Aggarwal AK. Reproductive health education intervention trial. Indian journal of pediatrics 2005;72(4):287-91.

Plummer ML, Wight D, Obasi AIN, Wamoyi J, Mshana G, Todd J, et al. A process evaluation of a school-based adolescent sexual health intervention in rural Tanzania: the MEMA kwa Vijana programme. Health Education Research 2007;22(4):500-12.

James-Traore T, Finger W, Ruland C, Stephanie S. Teacher training: Essential for school-based reproductive health and HIV/AIDS education: Family Health International, 2009.

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.