Communication of sexual and reproductive health issues

Adolescent-parent communication on sexual and reproductive health is crucial in increasing adolescents’ awareness of sexual and reproductive health issues and reducing their involvement in risky sexual behaviours. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were combined in the study. A sample of six hundred (600) adolescents drawn from ten secondary schools in Nsukka Local Government Area; aged between 12-19 years and from JSS1- SS3 were administered with questionnaires. Qualitative data were generated from the parents of the adolescents through in-depth interviews. The analysis of data showed that there is poor adolescent-parent communication on sexual and reproductive health issues in Nsukka LGA as a high proportion of adolescents learnt about sexual and reproductive health issues, mostly from their friends. Place of residence affects the communication of sexual and reproductive health issues between adolescents and their parents. However, such communications are not affected by the number of children had by the respondents’ parents and the type of school attended by the adolescents.