UNINTENDED PREGNANCY AND IT’S ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG STUDENTS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OKE ARO, AKURE, ONDO STATE
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, prevalence, and associated factors of unintended pregnancy among students in selected secondary schools in Oke-Aro, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional and bivariate analysis was conducted among 276 female students aged 12-18 years from three secondary schools in Oke-Aro, Akure. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that assessed the participants' socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of unintended pregnancy, and associated factors.
The findings revealed that the majority of respondents (95.3%) believed unintended pregnancy is a common issue among college students. Most participants demonstrated good knowledge regarding the consequences of unintended pregnancy, such as bleeding (96.7%), interruption of education (95.3%), and risk of death (100.0%). Using Bivariate analysis factor such as Lack of sexual education knowledge and unintended pregnancy has a positive correlation (r = 0.152) that is statistically significant at the 0.05 level. In addition, poverty and unintended pregnancy has a positive correlation (r = 0.205) that is statistically significant at the 0.01 level. Furthermore, Unintended pregnancy and interruption of student education has positive correlation (r = 0.205) that is statistically significant at the 0.01 level. The study highlights the importance of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, access to contraceptive services, and open communication about sexual health to prevent unintended pregnancies among students. Nursing implications include the need for health education, counseling, community outreach, and policy advocacy in this area. Future research should address the study's limitations and explore the issue of unintended pregnancy among students in a more comprehensive and longitudinal manner.
Keywords: Unintended pregnancy, students, knowledge, prevalence, associated factors, nursing implications.
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