Parental Influence on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Behaviour in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State

Abstract

Background: Maintaining Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) of adolescents remains a global public health concern. Parents exert a substantial influence on adolescents' health, shielding them from various health hazards. Limited information exists on the parental influence on adolescent reproductive health issues (ASRH). Objective: This study assessed the influence of parents on ASRH behaviour. Methodology: The study adopted a cross-sectional design and used a quantitative method. Simple random sampling was used to select two hundred and ninety-two (292) adolescents (10-19years) who stayed with their parents or guardians. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used in the KoboCollect application for data collection. Knowledge was measured on a 14-point scale, which was categorised as poor (0-5), fair (>5-10), and good (>10-14). Parental influence was measured on a 24-point scale, with low scores 0-12 and high scores>12-24. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics at a p≤0.05 level of significance. Results: Respondents’ age was 15.7±3.16 years, 98.6% were single, and 89.4% had secondary education. The majority (76.0%) of respondents have heard about ASRH issues, with 56.3% who reported their teachers as a source of information, while 6.3% have heard from their mothers. A quarter of respondents (25.7%) already had sex, 14.7% were ever pregnant or impregnated someone, with 54.5% of the pregnancies terminated and 45.5% carried the pregnancy to term.  About two-thirds of respondents (63.7%) were more comfortable discussing ASRH issues with mothers than fathers (39.0%). Despite the fact that 53.1% had good parental influence, 44.2% of respondents had poor knowledge of SRH. A significant association was found between respondents’ sex (x²=16.33, p<0.05), level of education (x²=12.87, p<0.05) and parental influence. There was no significant association between parental influence and knowledge of sexual and reproductive health. Conclusion/Recommendations: Despite the majority of respondents reporting good parental influence, a higher percentage reported poor knowledge of SRH. Health promotion interventions, such as seminars targeting parents and adolescents on ASRH issues and rights, are recommended.