Factors that Influence Parent-Adolescent Communication onAdolescent Reproductive Health in Benue State Nigeria

Abstract

Communication between parents and adolescents on Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) is vital in
tackling the rising problems associated with ARH (Adolescent Reproductive Health). Many adolescents rely on their
peers and social media for information about sex that may be inaccurate and often have to bear with negative
consequences. The aim of this study is to assess factors that influence parent-adolescent communication on adolescent
reproductive health in Benue state Nigeria. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Junior
Secondary School (JSS) 1-3 and Senior Secondary School (SSS) 1-2 in six schools selected from Makurdi and Gboko
Local Government Areas (LGA) of Benue state ( 3 schools from each LGA). Data was collected from 1000 participants,
500 from each LGA using structured, pretested, and self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version
20. This study revealed that Parent's gender was found to influence parent-adolescent communication positively as
more fathers (48.1%-Makurdi, 38.9%-Gboko) communicated regularly (daily and weekly) with their adolescents than
the mothers (31.8%-Makurdi, 38.7%-Gboko). Whereas parents with tertiary level of education engaged more regularly
in parent-adolescent communication in both LGAs and those within 30-50 years age group were more regular in their
communication than the older parents in both LGAs. Occupation also influenced parent-adolescent communication;
those engaged in farming and fishing [O.R.= 11.790, 95% C.I.( 3.257-42.719), P = 0.001 ] were more likely to engage in
parent-adolescent communication than those in other occupational groups. In conclusion, this study showed that parentadolescent
communication on sexual and reproductive health is affected by parents' gender, level of education and
occupation. It is therefore important that awareness creation on parent-adolescent communication be intensified in
schools, hospitals, religious institutions and social media considering the positive impact of this on ASRH