title: Unmet reproductive health needs and health-seeking behaviour of adolescents in Owerri, Nigeria.
abstract: The study examined unmet reproductive health needs and health-seeking behaviour of adolescents in Owerri, Nigeria. Primary information was obtained through questionnaire, FGDs and in-depth interviews. The adolescents were mostly Christians (99.6%) and Catholics (78.6%), with 66.4% living with their parents. Half (50.8%) of the adolescents have had sex. Contraceptive use was low, due to culture. Data showed that 27.2% of the ever had sex have had STIs, mostly gonorrhea and syphilis; 30.2% of the female adolescents have had unintended pregnancies, amongst who 73.3% had recurrent pregnancies and 19.6% of all the females have had abortion. The primary contact for health-care was patent medicine operators. In conclusion, more accessible and cost-effective method of disseminating STI/HIV information involving the use of vernacular and traditional/local opinion leaders should be used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. chuokereke@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Chukwunenye I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Okereke
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018456:Reproductive Medicine; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult