COMPARISON OF THE DRIVERS OF SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PRACTICES BETWEEN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS IN KARU, FCT, ABUJA

Abstract

Adolescence is a sensitive period in an individual's life where sexual practices are mostly initiated. Most youths are usually not equipped with sufficient knowledge to make informed decisions regarding their SRH. Young people make up a significant portion of the population. This study aimed to compare the drivers of sexual and reproductive health practices between adolescents and young adults in Karu, Abuja. The study used a comparative cross sectional design using a mixed method for data collection. Quantitative data was gotten from 279 participants comprising 141 adolescents (15-19years) and 138 young adults (20-24years) via a semi structured questionnaire and analyzed with the SPSS statistical software version 16.0 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was gotten from 5 adolescents and 5 young adults via in depth interview and analyzed manually. The level of knowledge of SRH among adolescent was lower than with the young adults. The mean age at sexual debut was 17.9 years. About 12.8% of adolescents compared to 39.9% of young adults had sexual intercourse in the last six months prior to the study. There was a low percentage of adolescents (2.5%) and young adults (10.4%) who had unwanted pregnancy, STIs (6.4% and 15.5% respectively), take alcohol (12.8% and 19.6% respectively), smoke (3.5% and 4.3% respectively), non-prescription drugs intake (2.8% and 2.9% respectively). However, 52.5% adolescents and 58.6% young adults knows where SRH services are rendered while 16% and 17.4% respectively had sought for these services. This multivariate regression analysis of the study found that factors such as gender (OR=1.01; CI=0.80-1.28), religion (OR=1.04; CI=0.77-1.41), family structure (OR=1.55; CI=1.08-2.21) and educational status (OR=1.10; CI=0.61-2.00) had more influence in the adolescents SRH practices as compared to the young adult in Karu, Abuja. Therefore, there is need for proper education of parents/guardians on SRH and as well, the establishment of accessible youth friendly reproductive health centers for adequate information and health care services on safe SRH practices.