title: Unintended pregnancy and termination of studies among students in Anambra state, Nigeria: are secondary schools playing their part?
abstract: This study evaluated efforts of secondary schools to prevent unintended pregnancy among students and their reactions to pregnant students before and after delivery. A cross-sectional survey of 46 teachers in three public and two private schools in Anambra state, Nigeria was carried out. Information was collected using self-administered questionnaire. Of all the teachers in the study, 87% reported unintended pregnancies among students in the previous 3 years. Expulsion (43%) and suspension (28%) were the most common reactions. Private schools were more likely to expel pregnant students than public schools. Following the delivery of their babies, 43% discontinued their education in the same school, whereas 37% continued their education in a different school. Counselling was given before suspension or expulsion in 4% of public schools and 15% of private schools. Majority of the schools (61%) did not have sex education as part of their schools' curriculum. Students should be re-admitted in order to ensure continuity of their academic development, prevent unemployment and mitigate poverty-induced repeat pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, P.O.Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland. ifeoma.onyeka@uef.fi
authors.forename: Ifeoma N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Onyeka
authors.forename: Juhani
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miettola
authors.forename: Amobi L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ilika
authors.forename: Tuula
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vaskilampi
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned / Q000523:psychology; D011287:Prejudice; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D012574:Schools / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D012736:Sex Education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult