Parental Engagement in Promoting Awareness of Contraceptive Use among Female Students in Nigeria and Cameroon

  • Rasaq Muhammed Adisa Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
    (NG)
  • Fabiolla Michelle Masso Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
    (CM)
  • Patrick Udende Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
    (NG)
  • Yusuf Ajani Sholola Department of Mass Communication Summit University, Offa, Nigeria
    (NG)
  • Mahamood Ahmad Fahmi Department of Communication, University Malaysia Perlis, Arau, Malaysia
    (MY)
  • Oba Abdulkadir La'aro Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
    (NG)
Keywords: cameroon, contraception, nigeria, parents, pregnancy in adolescence

Abstract

Despite government and non-governmental organizations' efforts, contraceptive utilization in Nigeria remains low. Similarly, Cameroon faces high maternal mortality and low contraceptive prevalence. Adolescent pregnancy remains a significant social and public health concern globally, necessitating efforts to promote contraceptive use. Parent-adolescent sexual communication is often viewed as taboo in Nigeria and Cameroon, hindering awareness about contraceptive use. This study examines the role of parents in creating awareness of contraceptive use among female university students in Nigeria and Cameroon.    The study adopts a comparative approach, investigating the cultural role of parents in awareness creation for contraceptive use in Nigeria and Cameroon. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 female university students in both countries. The findings highlight the valuable role of parents in shaping adolescents' knowledge and behavior regarding contraceptive use. Recommendations include enhancing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, promoting parent-adolescent communication, addressing cultural barriers, improving contraceptive access, and conducting further research. Implementing these recommendations can empower adolescents with accurate information, foster supportive parent-adolescent relationships, and enhance sexual and reproductive health outcomes among young people.

rasaq.jpg

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abdallah, A. K., Magata, R. J., & Sylvester J. N. (2017). Barriers to parent-child communication on sexual and reproductive health issues in East Africa: A review of qualitative research in four countries. J African Stud Dev. 9:45–50. https://doi.org/10.5897/JASD2016.0410

Akinyemi, O. O., Harris, B., & Kawonga, M. (2020). ‘Our culture prohibits some things’: qualitative inquiry into how sociocultural context influences the scale-up of community-based injectable contraceptives in Nigeria. BMJ open, 10(7), e035311. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035311

Akoku, D. A., Vukugah, T. A., Tihnje, M. A., & Nzubepie, I. B. (2020). Oral contraceptive use and premenstrual syndrome among sexually active female university students in Cameroon. Pan African Medical Journal, 36(1). http://www.doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2020.36.333.25078

Ali, A. (2015). " I Got Peace and Stability": Women's Perceptions of Contraceptive Use in Sidama, SNNPR, Ethiopia (Doctoral dissertation, University of Saskatchewan). https://harvest.usask.ca/items/6c2aa4c2-9e0c-418f-b71e-1d627f1bb70e

Ariyo, A. M., Sotayo, O. M., Olurin, T. K., & Eni-Olorunda, T. (2020). Sexual Communication between Parents and Adolescents: Perception of Secondary School Students in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 11(4), 112. https://doi.org/10.36941/mjss-2020-004

Atuhaire, S., Ngendakumana, J., Galadima, A., Adam, A., & Muderhwa, R. B. (2021). Knowledge and attitude towards contraceptive use among adolescents in Africa: a systematic review. Int J Reprod Contraception Obstet Gynecol, 10(11), 4292-303. https://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog2021434

Bekele, D., Deksisa, A., Abera, W., & Megersa, G. (2022). Parental communication on sexual and reproductive health issues to their adolescents and affecting factors at Asella town, Ethiopia: a community-based, cross-sectional study. Reproductive Health, 19(1), 114. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01408-8

Blackstone, S. R., Nwaozuru, U., Iwelunmor, J. (2017). Factors Influencing Contraceptive Use in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review. Int Q Community Health Educ. 37(2):79-91. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272684X16685254

Bradley, P. S., Carling, C., Diaz, A. G., Hood, P., Barnes, C., Ade, J., & Mohr, M. (2013). Match performance and physical capacity of players in the top three competitive standards of English professional soccer. Human movement science, 32(4), 808-821. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2013.06.002

Dombola, G. M., Manda, W. C., & Chipeta, E. (2021). Factors influencing contraceptive decision making and use among young adolescents in urban Lilongwe, Malawi: a qualitative study. Reproductive Health, 18, 1-11. http://www.doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01259-9

Esan, D. T., & Bayajidda, K. K. (2021). The perception of parents of high school students about adolescent sexual and reproductive needs in Nigeria: A qualitative study. Public Health in Practice, 2, 100080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2021.100080

Eshete, A., & Shewasinad, S. (2020). Adolescent-parent communication on sexual and reproductive health issues in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences, 30(5). https://doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v30i5.22

Evans, R., Widman, L., Kamke, K., & Stewart, J. L. (2020). Gender differences in parents’ communication with their adolescent children about sexual risk and sex-positive topics. The Journal of Sex Research, 57(2), 177-188. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2019.1661345

Ezenwaka, U., Mbachu, C., Ezumah, N., Eze, I., Agu, C., Agu, I., & Onwujekwe, O. (2020). Exploring factors constraining utilization of contraceptive services among adolescents in Southeast Nigeria: an application of the socio-ecological model. BMC Public Health, 20, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09276-2

Fanta, M., Lemma, S., Gamo, G., & Meskele, M. (2016). Factors associated with adolescent parent communication of reproductive health issues among high school and preparatory students in Boditi town, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study, Patient Intelligence, vol. 8, pp. 57–70, 2016. https://doi.org/10.2147/PI.S97838

Forehand, R., Lafko, N., Parent, J., & Burt, K. B. (2014). Is parenting the mediator of change in behavioral parent training for externalizing problems of youth?. Clinical psychology review, 34(8), 608-619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2014.10.001

Jiménez-Iglesias, A. Moreno, C. García-Moya, I.& Rivera, F. (2018). Prevalence of emergency contraceptive pill use among Spanish adolescent girls and their family and psychological profiles. BMC Women’s Health, 18, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-018-0560-x

Kara, W. S. K., Benedicto, M., & Mao, J. (2019). Knowledge, attitude, and practice of contraception methods among female undergraduates in Dodoma, Tanzania. Cureus, 11(4). http://www.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.4362

Kassa, G. M., Arowojolu, A. O., Odukogbe, A. A., & Yalew, A. W. (2018). Prevalence and determinants of adolescent pregnancy in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reproductive health, 15(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-018-0640-

KWASU (2020). Administrative Unit, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria.

Morales, A. Orgilés, M. & Espada, J.P. (2020). Sexually Unexperienced Adolescents Benefit the Most From a Sexual Education Program for Adolescents: A Longitudinal Cluster Randomized Controlled Study. AIDS Educ. Prev. 32, 493–511. https://doi.org/10.1521/aeap.2020.32.6.493

Neil, C. & Donald. (2015). Important life issues. European Scientific Journal, 11(20), 1857-7881.

Okonofua, F. (2021). Maternal Mortality in Developing Countries. Contemporary Obstetrics and Gynecology for Developing Countries, 13-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75385-6_3

Ononokpono, D. N., Odimegwu, C. O., & Usoro, N. A. (2020). Contraceptive use in Nigeria: does social context matter?. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 24(1), 133-142. http://www.doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2020/v24i1.14

Patton, G. C., Sawyer, S. M., Santelli, J. S., Ross, D. A., Afifi, R., Allen, N. B., & Viner, R. M. (2016). Our future: a Lancet commission on adolescent health and wellbeing. The Lancet, 387(10036), 2423-2478. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(16)00579-

Sagnia, P. I., Gharoro, E. P., & Isara, A. R. (2020). Adolescent-parent communication on sexual and reproductive health issues amongst secondary school students in Western Region 1 of The Gambia. African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine, 12(1), 1-7. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-phcfm-v12-n1-a87

Sinai, I., Omoluabi, E., Jimoh, A., & Jurczynska, K. (2020). Unmet need for family planning and barriers to contraceptive use in Kaduna, Nigeria: culture, myths and perceptions. Culture, health & sexuality, 22(11), 1253-1268. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2019.1672894

Sedgh, G., Finer, L. B., Bankole, A., Eilers, M. A., & Singh, S. (2015). Adolescent pregnancy, birth, and abortion rates across countries: levels and recent trends. Journal of adolescent health, 56(2), 223-230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.09.007

Tchokossa, M. A., & Adeyemi, B. A. (2018). Knowledge and use of contraceptives among female adolescents in selected senior secondary schools in Ife central local government of Osun state. J Commu Med Health Edu. 08(03):1647-61.

Tebeu, P. M., Halle-Ekane, G., Da Itambi, M., Mbu, R. E., Mawamba, Y., & Fomulu, J. N. (2015). Maternal mortality in Cameroon: a university teaching hospital report. Pan African Medical Journal, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2015.22.377.8631

Ugoji, F.N. & Agokei, R.C. (2012). Rural Nursing Students’ Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and Beliefs and their Attitude Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS. International Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences,2(6): 226-230. http://www.doi.org/10.5923/j.ijpbs.20120206.05.

Unilorin (2020). Academic Planning Office, Main Campus, University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Wang, Y., Chen, M., Tan, S., Qu, X., Wang, H., Liang, X., & Tang, K. (2020). The socioeconomic and lifestyle determinants of contraceptive use among Chinese college students: a cross-sectional study. Reproductive Health, 17, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-020-00978-9

World Health Organization. (2018). WHO recommendations on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/275374/9789241514606-eng.pdf

World Health Organization (2023). Maternal mortality: The urgency of a systemic and multisectoral approach in mitigating maternal deaths in Africa.. https://files.aho.afro.who.int/afahobckpcontainer/production/files/iAHO_Maternal_Mortality_Regional_Factsheet.pdf

Widman, L., Choukas-Bradley, S., Noar, S. M., Nesi, J., & Garrett, K. (2016). Parent-adolescent sexual communication and adolescent safer sex behavior: A meta-analysis. JAMA pediatrics, 170(1), 52-61. http://www.doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2015.2731

Zhou, Y., Wang, T., Fu, J., Chen, M., Meng, Y., & Luo, Y. (2019). Access to reproductive health services among the female floating population of childbearing age: a cross-sectional study in Changsha, China. BMC Health Services Research, 19, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4334-4

Published
2023-12-29
How to Cite
Adisa, R. M., Masso, F. M., Udende, P., Sholola, Y. A., Fahmi, M. A., & La’aro, O. A. (2023). Parental Engagement in Promoting Awareness of Contraceptive Use among Female Students in Nigeria and Cameroon. Al-Sihah: The Public Health Science Journal, 15(2), 121-132. https://doi.org/10.24252/al-sihah.v15i2.39991
Abstract viewed = 170 times