Adolescents’ knowledge and use of sexual and reproductive health services in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Afr. j. reprod. health; 26 (6), 2022
Publication year: 2022

Contraceptive knowledge is vital to promoting youth health. It has been proven to lower the high rates of unwanted pregnancies,and STIs including HIV/AIDS. The aim of the study was to examine the level of contraceptive knowledge and use among youths in Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) Nigeria. The study adopted an explanatory sequential mixed-method research design. A total of 500 young people between the ages of 15 and 25 were interviewed. The majority of the youth (58.2%) were sexually active,with sexual debut starting within age 15-19. The prevalence of contraceptive knowledge was very high (78.8%), while (34.6%) were not using any type of contraceptives, even among the educated youth notwithstanding their level of education. It was concluded that there is a wide disparity between contraceptive knowledge and use which need to be bridged. There is a need to review policies regarding sexual and reproductive health, as well as sexuality education among youth in Nigeria. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[6]:80-88).

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