Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Raymond Panas

Abstract

AbstractThere is a low level of contraceptive use among Nigerian teenagers, leading to unwanted pregnancies and subsequently unsafe abortions. Sexual activities among teenagers in Lagos, Nigeria, are a major public health problem. The principal factors leading to this health problem are poverty, peer pressure among university students leading to involvement in the sex trade, and early marriage in some cultures. There are myths and perceptions about the use of contraception in society, especially concerning the use of condoms, which Nigerian teenagers believe do not make intercourse interesting or satisfying; these ideas can lead to unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and consequently unsafe abortions. Since 2010, contraceptives use awareness has increased in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, thanks to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, yet many teenagers do not use contraceptives and seek repeat abortions, which are illegal in Nigeria except to save the life of the mother. The health belief model served as the theoretical framework. A qualitative design was used to explore the detailed experiences and perceptions of 20 girls in Lagos aged 18–19 years. The thematic method of analysis was used to analyze the data. The result showed that the nonuse of protection through condoms and other contraceptives by teenagers was caused by inadequate education on contraceptives; barriers to safe sex; and risky sexual behaviors, such as the influence of sex partners on the use of condoms. Implications for positive social change include the development of sex education interventions that can increase the use of contraceptives among teenage girls in Lagos, thus lessening the impact of unwanted pregnancies and STIs.

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