Unmet Reproductive Health Needs and Health-Seeking Behaviour of Adolescents in Owerri, Nigeria
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Abstract
The study examined unmet reproductive health needs and health-seeking behaviour of adolescents in Owerri, Nigeria. Primary information was obtained through questionnaire, FGDs and in-depth interviews. The adolescents were mostly Christians (99.6%) and Catholics (78.6%), with 66.4% living with their parents. Half (50.8%) of the adolescents have had sex. Contraceptive use was low, due to culture. Data showed that 27.2% of the ever had sex have had STIs, mostly gonorrhea and syphilis; 30.2% of the female adolescents have had unintended pregnancies, amongst who 73.3% had recurrent pregnancies and 19.6% of all the females have had abortion. The primary contact for health-care was patent medicine operators. In conclusion, more accessible and cost-effective method of disseminating STI/HIV information involving the use of vernacular and traditional/ local opinion leaders should be used (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[1]:43-54).
RĖSUMĖ
Les besoins par rapport a la sante de la reproduction qui ne sont pas satisfaits et le comportement destine a la recherche de la sante chez les adolescents a Owerri, Nigeria. L’étude a examiné les besoins relatifs à la santé de la reproduction qui ne sont pas satisfaits et le comportement destiné à la recherche de la santé chez les adolescents à Owerri, Nigéria. L’information de base a été obtenue à l’aide des questionnaires, des DGFs et des interviews en profondeur. Les adolescents étaient en majorité des chrétiens (99,6%) et des Catholiques (78,6%), dont 66,4% vivaient chez leurs parents. La moitié (50,8%) des adolescents ont eu des rapports sexuels. L’emploi des contraceptifs était faible à cause de la culture. Les données ont montré que 27,2% des adolescents qui ont jamais eu des rapports sexuels ont eu des IST’s surtout la gonorrhée et la syphilis ; 30,2% des adolescentes ont eu des grossesses non voulues, dont 73,3% ont eu des grossesses repétées et 19,6% de toutes les femelles ont eu un avortement. Le contact primaire pour les services médicaux ceux qui travaillent dans le domaine de la spécialité pharmaceutique. En conclusion, il faut utiliser des méthodes qui sont plus accessibles et rentables pour le diffusion de l’information sur les ISTs/VIH à travers la langue locale et les dirigeants l’opinion (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[1]:43-54).
KEYWORDS: Reproductive, Need, Sex, Health-seeking, Contraceptives, Information.
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