Prevalence Of Teenage Pregnancy Among Secondary School Students In Cross River State, Nigeria
Bassey Ekeng Effiom Ph.D
Department of Guidance and Counselling, Faculty of Education, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Dr Mrs Stella Jacks
Department of Guidance and Counselling, Faculty of Education, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Keywords: Teenagers, Pregnancy, Causes, Incidence, Consequences, School Girl
Abstract
The prevalence of teenage pregnancy among school-girls in the education of the girl-child has become alarming because of the sayings that goes that educate a woman and you educate a nation. Yet the girl-child are often faced with challenges of access, equality, performance and laggers in terms of schooling. The study sought to establish the prevalence and consequences of teenage pregnancy among school girls in Calabar metropolis in Cross River State, Nigeria. One research question was formulated to guide the study. Survey design was utilized to unveil the implications. A sample size of 200 was drawn from school dropout girls and their parents/guardians, teachers, students in schools, youth and women leaders using the stratified random sampling technique. Questionnaire/checklist was used to collect the data which was analyzed using percentages. Poverty, lack of sex education, alcohol, drug abuse, inferiority complex, loss of self-esteem, social rejection, malnutrition and peer influence were identified as the factors that triggers teenage pregnancy and their consequences in the study area. It is recommended that schools be made free, qualitative and engaging in order to motivate the girl-child towards completion of school.