CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of The Study

Education is critical for young people's growth since it prepares them for the world of job and life. Sexual exploration and maturation continue to occur concurrently with secondary schooling, while children spend extended amounts of time in education (as part of their natural development) (Ranchod & Letsoalo, 2009). For many teens, it remains an experiment, and when sex occurs, it becomes vital to take some sort of contraception while still in school (Shefer & Ngabaza, 2010).

Nonetheless, it leads in pregnancy, HIV, or other sexually transmitted illnesses for a significant number of secondary school females (Mwaba, 2000:32). Being a high school girl who is pregnant or who has a child has repercussions for future educational chances. According to Panday (2009), secondary school girls' pregnancy has increased dramatically as a social construct and serves as one of numerous markers of growing delinquency, sexual permissiveness, and moral deterioration among secondary school girls. According to Chigona and Chetty (2007), pregnancy among secondary school girls is a socioeconomic difficulty and a significant health concern in a number of areas in Nigeria. It is the result of reckless sexual conduct and intermittent contraceptive usage. According to Joubert (2005), a pregnancy in a secondary school girl may present health hazards such as problems during pregnancy or delivery and subsequent infertility if an abortion is done. Additionally, the likelihood of dropping out of school is high, resulting in a lack of educational credentials and potential employment.

According to Mngoma (2010), the majority of people see a secondary school girl's pregnancy as a calamity. Nonetheless, pregnancies among secondary school girls are growing each year and happening at younger ages. While this tendency is seen around the globe, the issue is exacerbated in developing nations such as Nigeria (Greathead, 2004). When examining the variables that contribute to the epidemic of early adolescent pregnancy in Nigeria, a variety of school-environmental elements were identified as exposing young girls to pregnancy risks. According to Hallman and Grant (2006), low academic achievement is a substantial predictor of pregnancy. Poor performance often results in repetition, which means that girls grow physically while still in school and face significant peer pressure to have sex (Kirby, 2002). Additionally, females who do badly in school have low educational aspirations, are unsure of their ability to graduate, and therefore have less reason to postpone pregnancy (Coles, 2005; & Turner, 2004).

Additionally, a lack of comprehensive sexual education at school and at home leads to teens relying on peer disinformation and succumbing to social pressure to have sex, which may result in early pregnancies (Ranchold, 2009). Another factor contributing to pregnancy-related school dropouts is sexual harassment performed by males and sometimes teachers, in which girls are pressured into sexual intercourse. In line with the above, this study is focused on identifying the causes, prevalence, and effects of early teenage pregnancy among secondary school girls.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

According to Kohlberg (2009), the adolescent years are the most stressful and perplexing period of life. Teenagers are supposed to gain education and skills necessary for the future throughout this time period. On the contrary, many adolescent females engage in premarital intercourse, putting them at risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) and teenage pregnancies (Umeano, 2003). Pregnancy is generally welcomed when it happens at a suitable age and in matrimony. On the contrary, it is most detrimental when it happens outside of marriage or during the adolescent years, when the adolescent should be developing skills in formal or informal settings. Numerous studies conducted by Audu (1997), Noble (1996), the World Health Organization (1997), and Onuzulike (2002) have identified poverty, pornography, mass media, and peer influence as contributing to adolescent pregnancy. Teenage pregnancy is not a new problem in any civilization, developed, developing, or less developed, Nigeria included. Multiple reasons have been advanced for its existence, but the primary issue is that it has continued to grow despite efforts by the government, schools, religious groups, and nongovernmental organizations to address some of the issues that contributed to our societies becoming cancerous or decrepit.

Unrestricted adolescent pregnancy imposes tremendous costs on society as a whole in terms of missed gains associated with school completion. Upon this backdrop, this study aims at identifying the causes, prevalence and effect of early teenage pregnancy among secondary school girls.

1.3 Objectives Of The Study

The major aim of this study is to critically examine the the causes, prevalence and effect of early teenage pregnancy among secondary school girls. Hence, the study will be channeled to the following specific objectives;

1.        Identify the causes of early teenage pregnancy among secondary school girls in Akwa Ibom State.

2.        Ascertain the prevalence of early teenage pregnancy among secondary school girls in Akwa Ibom State.

3.        Determine the implication of early teenage pregnancy among secondary school girls in Akwa Ibom State.

1.4 Research Question

The study will be guided by the following questions;

1.        What are the causes of early teenage pregnancy among secondary school girls in Akwa Ibom State?

2.        What is the extent at which early teenage pregnancy occur among secondary school girls in Akwa Ibom State?

3.        What are the implication of early teenage pregnancy among secondary school girls in Akwa Ibom State?

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