Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Teenage Pregnancy and Social Work Intervention Programmes Among Secondary School Adolescents in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State

Confidence C. Loveday Wisdom B. Girigiri, PhD and Mezewo Obuzor, PhD

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy has remained a vexed issue of social and public health concern in Nigeria, because of its negative implications for adolescents, families, and the society. This study examined the factors associated with teenage pregnancy and how impactful social work intervention programmes available in secondary schools in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. The study was guided by two research questions and anchored on the Person-in- Environment theory, which explained adolescent behaviour as a product of the interaction between individuals and their social, economic, and cultural environment. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of female students in senior secondary classes (SS1–SS3), teachers, guidance counsellors, and social workers involved in adolescent welfare. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 414 respondents from six public secondary schools. Data were collected using a self-constructed questionnaire titled Social Work Intervention and Teenage Pregnancy Questionnaire , which was validated by experts and tested for reliability through a pilot study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation. The findings revealed that socioeconomic factors such as poverty, low education, peer influence, and cultural norms have strong and significant relationship with teenage pregnancy among secondary school adolescents. The study also found that the availability of social work intervention programmes such as counselling, sex education, and peer support significantly contributed to reducing teenage pregnancy. The study concluded that effective school-based social work interventions are essential in addressing teenage pregnancy among adolescents. It therefore recommends the integration of social work education into the secondary school curriculum and the deployment of professional social workers and guidance counsellors in public secondary schools.

Keywords

Teenage pregnancySocial work interventionSecondary school adolescentsSocioeconomic factorsObio/Akpor LGA.

References

Adegoke, A. A. (2015). Socio-economic factors influencing teenage pregnancy in Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 19(2), 78–89. Afolabi, M. O. (2021). The role of social workers in the prevention of adolescent pregnancy in Oyo East Local Government Area, Oyo State. Nigerian Journal of Social Work Practice, 6(1), 112–127. Agwu, P., & Okoye, U. (2021). Social work in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and opportunities. International Social Work, 64(5), 712–726. Akanle, O. (2013). Sexuality education in Nigerian schools: Challenges and prospects. Journal of Education and Practice, 4(15), 112–120. Banks, S. (2022). Ethics and values in social work (5th ed.). Palgrave Macmillan. Blum, R. W., Bastos, F. I., Kabiru, C. W., & Le, L. C. (2007). Adolescent health in the 21st century. The Lancet, 379(9826), 1567–1568. Chinyere, E. O., & Ogu, E. O. (2019). Teenage pregnancy and its impact on adolescent girls in Nigeria: Implications for counselling. Journal of Education and Practice, 10(12), 94–100. Daftary, A.-M. H., Sugrue, E., Watson, J., & Anderson, K. (2021). School social work in the era of remote learning: A national survey of practice and policy. Children and Schools, 43(4), 227–236. DiCenso, A., Guyatt, G., Willan, A., & Griffith, L. (2002). Interventions to reduce unintended pregnancies among adolescents: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials. BMJ, 324(7351), 1426–1430. Ding, X., Lightfoot, E., Berkowitz, R., Franklin, C., & DiNitto, D. M. (2023). Characteristics and outcomes of school social work services: A scoping review of published evidence 2000– 2022. School Mental Health, 15, 787–811. Dominelli, L. (2024). Ecosocial work and climate justice: Responding to environmental crises through social work practice. International Social Work, 67(2), 231–248. Esan, O. B., Adetunji, A. A., Adebayo, A. M., Ojo, T. O., & Adeyemi, A. S. (2022). Socio- economic determinants of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria: Evidence from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 26(3), 45–56. Eze, C., & Nwankwo, I. (2019). Impact of social work-led reproductive health education on teenage pregnancy in South-East Nigeria. International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice, 7(3), 81–89. Eze, P. C., & Nnaji, C. (2022). Cultural taboos and access to reproductive health counselling in South-East Nigeria. Journal of Cultural Health Studies, 10(4), 201–215. Ezeh, A. C., Izugbara, C. O., & Patel, T. M. (2020). Adolescents and sexual and reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa: An overview of research, policies and programs. African Population Studies, 34(2), 5124–5138. Goldstein, E., Murray-Garcia, J., Murray-Garcia, R., & Topitzes, J. (2024). Trauma-informed care in social work: A systematic review of organisational implementation. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 25(1), 123–138. IFSW. (2014). Global definition of social work. https://www.ifsw.org/what-is-social- work/global-definition-of-social-work/ Ijoma, U. C., & Adetomi, A. A. (2021). Reproductive health knowledge and risky sexual behaviours among adolescents in semi-urban areas of Rivers State, Nigeria. International Journal of Adolescent and Youth, 26(1), 97–110. Ioannou, M. (2024). The role of school social workers in preventing dropout: Evidence from longitudinal studies. Journal of School Social Work, 12(1), 45–59. Isangha, S. O., Choi, Y. J., & Chiu, Y. L. (2021). Social work in Nigeria: Historical development and contemporary challenges. Journal of Social Work in Developing Societies, 3(1), 1–18. Izugbara, C. O. (2008). Home-based sexuality education: Nigerian parents discussing sex with their children. Youth & Society, 39(4), 557–578. Karls, J. M., & Wandrei, K. E. (1994). Person-in-environment system: The PIE classification system for social functioning problems. NASW Press. Kirby, D. (2007). Emerging answers 2007: Research findings on programs to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. McPherson, J. (2020). Exceptional social work: Global perspectives on values and ethics. Routledge. Nnodim, A. U., & Albert, C. O. (2016). Teenage pregnancy and its socio-economic implications among rural women in Etche, Rivers State, Nigeria. Journal of Social Development in Africa, 31(1), 78–92. Nwosu, U. M. (2019). Gender norms and adolescent reproductive health in Nigeria. Journal of Gender Studies, 28(5), 567–579. Nwosu, U. M., & Eke, F. N. (2021). Peer influence and cultural norms in adolescent sexual behaviour: Evidence from Rivers State. Journal of Youth Studies in Africa, 9(1), 34–49. Okafor, C. (2022). Guidance and counselling in Nigerian schools: Limitations and the case for school social work. Nigerian Journal of Educational Research, 28(2), 89–102. Okereke, C. I. (2010). Unmet reproductive health needs and health-seeking behaviour of adolescents in Owerri, Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 14(1), 43–54. Ogunleye, L. A. (2020). The impact of school-based counselling and parental involvement on teenage pregnancy among secondary school students in Ibadan, Oyo State. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 10(4), 102–118. Reamer, F. G. (2021). Social work in a digital age: Ethical and risk management challenges (2nd ed.). Columbia University Press. Rivers State Ministry of Education. (2023). Annual school census report. Santelli, J. S., Lindberg, L. D., Finer, L. B., & Singh, S. (2017). Explaining recent declines in adolescent pregnancy in the United States: The contribution of abstinence and improved contraceptive use. American Journal of Public Health, 107(1), 133–139. Tabansi, P. N., Opara, P. I., & Eke, G. K. (2012). Attitude of secondary school students in Port Harcourt to teenage pregnancy. Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics, 39(3), 107–111. UNFPA. (2021). Adolescent pregnancy: A review of the evidence. United Nations Population Fund. UNICEF. (2020). Comprehensive sexuality education in Nigeria: Implementation guide. UNICEF. (2021). A new era for girls: Taking stock of 25 years of progress. Yakubu, I., & Salisu, W. J. (2020). Determinants of adolescent pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Reproductive Health, 17(1), Article 16. Zastrow, C. (2021). Introduction to social work and social welfare: Empowering people (13th ed.). Cengage Learning.

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH

Delays in Construction Projects: Causes, Effects and Remedies

Author: QS Prof. Reuben A. Okereke, Aribana Kelechi Chukwuemeka

Governance Quality and Capital Inflows in Selected Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas)

Author: Ekere, Edobot, Chukwu, Sancho Nwobuisi , Amadi, Sonny Nwonodi , Ewubare, Dennis Brown

Farmer–Herder Crises and Its Implications on Food Security in Sankera, Benue State, Nigeria: An Empirical Mixed-Methods Study

Author: Iorkaan Samuel Kuma, ., Yange Clement Terlumun, ., Bam Clement Liambee, Hubert, Keghnen Katyona, ., Terngu Paul Ugosor