Early Sexual Behaviour and Tendencies for Unwanted Pregnancies among Adolescents in Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria: Implication for Policy and Research

Immaculata Etim Bassey¹, Elizabeth Edem Okon¹, Irodi Chijike Canis², Ifiabor Lucky Wesley¹, Irodi Nonye Celestina¹ and Effiom John Edwin^3,

¹Department of Nursing science, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada

²Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mcpherson University, Ogun State, Nigeria.

³Department of Social Science Education, Faculty of Arts and Social Science Education, University of Calabar, Calabar-Nigeria

Cite this paper:
Immaculata Etim Bassey, Elizabeth Edem Okon, Irodi Chijike Canis, Ifiabor Lucky Wesley, Irodi Nonye Celestina and Effiom John Edwin. Early Sexual Behaviour and Tendencies for Unwanted Pregnancies among Adolescents in Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria: Implication for Policy and Research. American Journal of Nursing Research. 2023; 11(3):126-131. doi: 10.12691/ajnr-11-3-4

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated early sexual behaviour and tendencies for unwanted pregnancies among adolescents in Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria: Implications for policy and research. One objectives of the study was stated to guide the study and to achieve the purpose of the study. One research question was formulated, which was converted to one statement of hypotheses. A literature review was carried out based on the variable under study. Method: The survey research design was considered most suitable for the study. A stratified random sampling technique was adopted in selecting three Local Government Areas used for the study and Taro Yamen’s 1975 formular was used to select the 400 respondents sampled for the study. A validated 15 items four-point modified Likert scale questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The face and content validity of the instrument was established by experts in Test and Measurement. The reliability estimates of 0.81 of the instruments was established using the Cronbach Alpha method. A descriptive analysis of frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation was used to test the hypotheses formulated for the study. The hypothesis was tested at a 0.05 level of significance. Results: The results obtained from the data analysis revealed a significant influence of early sexual behaviour on tendencies for unwanted pregnancies among adolescence in Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that there is a significant influence of early sexual behaviour on tendencies for unwanted pregnancies among adolescence in Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria. Therefore, it was recommended, among others, that Parents and guardians should be educated to overcome the cultural barriers that discourage giving adolescents early sex education at home.

Keywords:
sexual behaviour unwanted pregnancy adolescents teenagers sex

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