Senior Secondary School Adolescents Research Articles

Health Literacy and Internet Health Information Use among In-school Adolescents in Osun State, South-West, Nigeria

ABSTRACTThere has been concern about adolescent online experience being hampered by their level of health literacy skills. This study was conducted to determine the health literacy experience of in-school adolescents in Osun State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey of 1,200 in-school adolescents in senior secondary school was undertaken. Out of the 1,186 analyzable questionnaires, only 447 (37.7%) students possessed adequate health literacy skills. The majority (747, 63.0%) used Internet health information weekly. The health issues on nutrition, body size, and sexuality were the most sought out information on the Internet. There is a statistically significant relationship between health literacy skill level and Internet health information use.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Role of HIV/AIDS Knowledge in Risky Sexual Behaviors of Adolescents in Nigeria

Background: Globally, an estimated 4 million of the 35 million people living with HIV are between the ages of 15 and 24. Nigeria has the second largest burden of HIV worldwide with an estimated 3.2 million individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The prevalence of HIV among adolescents in Nigeria is 3.5%, which is the highest among countries in West and Central Africa. Although insufficient or a complete lack of knowledge about HIV has been identified as a major barrier to HIV prevention efforts, no study has been conducted to evaluate HIV knowledge, identify deficiencies in knowledge, or examine the relationship between HIV knowledge and risky sexual behaviors (RSB) among adolescents in senior secondary school (high school) in Nigeria. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate HIV knowledge, identify deficiencies in knowledge, and examine the relationship between HIV knowledge and RSB among adolescents in senior secondary schools (high schools) in Nigeria. Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a stratified random sample of 361 adolescents from nine senior secondary schools (SS) in Jos Plateau state Nigeria. We used the HIV-KQ-18 survey questionnaire to assess HIV related knowledge and RSB was assessed using the Brief HIV Screener (BHS) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation and multiple linear regression were performed using the SPSS 21. Significance for the statistical test was set at P < 0.05. Results: Overall, 361 participants completed the survey. Forty-seven percent were males and 53% were females with a mean age of 16.9. HIV knowledge (t = -3.3, P < 0.01), age (t = 3.4, P < 0.01) and gender (t = -2.3, P < 0.01) were identified as significant predictors of RSB with female participants having lower RSB scores. An inverse relationship was identified between HIV knowledge and RSB, while a positive relationship existed between RSB and age. Deficiencies in HIV knowledge and misconception about HIV transmission were identified. Conclusions: Adolescents in this study with higher HIV knowledge had low RSB, indicating the importance of including interventions to increase HIV knowledge in HIV prevention programs. Misconceptions about casual means of HIV transmission need to be clarified, and culturally stigmatizing myths about HIV transmission need to be debunked among adolescents in Nigeria.

Abstract A60: AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF HUMANPAPILLOMAVIRUS AND HPV VACCINE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN NORTH IBADAN, NIGERIA: A PREVENTIVE TOOL FOR FUTURE LEADERS

Abstract To asses the level of awareness and knowledge of Human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer (CC) and Human papilomavirus vaccine (HPVV) among adolescents in senior secondary school in Ibadan North, Nigeria. This cross-sectional descriptive study carried out among 160 female and male adolescents in two private and two public senior secondary school of Ibadan North Local Government. A semi-structured questionnaire which included questions relating to level of awareness and knowledge of Human papillomavirus infection, cervical cancer and human papillomavirus vaccine was used to obtain information from the respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test (p&amp;lt;0.05). Respondents' mean age was 13.0±1.7 year and more than half of the respondents were female (51.9%), majority of the respondents were in grade 10 (39.4%) and grade 12(33.8%) respectively, 87.3% of the respondents live with both parents. Sixty-eight percent of the respondents have heard of HPV, the main sources of information were from school (41.2%),mass media (27.5%) and seminar attended (13.7%) respectively,32% of the respondents knew that HPV is a sexually transmitted infection,31.8% acknowledge it as viral infection and 35.8% agreed that it can infect both male and female,41.9% agreed that it transmitted through sharing of toiletries and sharp objects,30% were aware that it can be transmitted through sexual intercourse while 28% of the respondents believed that early age of sexual debut is a risk factor and having multiple sexual partners predisposes to HPV infection while 29.4% of the respondents agreed that engaging in an unprotected sex is a risk factor for transmitting HPV infection. However, 41.3% of the respondents who were aware and knowledgeable that abstinence is a good measure for preventing HPV infection. Only 15.6% have heard of HPVV, 18.8% were aware that it can prevent it and HPVV is meant for both male and female. Living with parent and being in either private or public school was not statistical significant with the knowledge of HPV (p&amp;gt;0.70), categories of classes of the respondent was not significantly associated with their knowledge of HPV vaccine (p&amp;gt;0.63), there is significant relationship between the gender and awareness that having multiple sexual partner predisposes to HPV (p&amp;lt;0.009). Level of awareness and knowledge of HPV infection, cervical cancer and HPV vaccine were very low among the adolescents, programmers that promote knowledge should be incorporated into the curriculum, teachers of various school be updated. Keywords: Human papillomavirus infection, adolescents, HPV vaccine, knowledge Citation Format: OLUBUNMI OLABISI ADETULE. AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF HUMANPAPILLOMAVIRUS AND HPV VACCINE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN NORTH IBADAN, NIGERIA: A PREVENTIVE TOOL FOR FUTURE LEADERS. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A60.

Awareness and Use of Psychoactive Substances Among Senior Secondary School Adolescents in Nigeria

Awareness and Use of Psychoactive Substances Among Senior Secondary School Adolescents in Nigeria

Prevalence and Nature of Child Neglect and Mental Health Status of Secondary School Adolescents

Child neglect results in some forms of physical, and mental illness. Research on child neglect and mental health status of Nigerian secondary school adolescents is scanty. A purposive sample of 280 senior secondary school adolescents from two Local Government Areas of Ogun State responded to Neglect Scale (NS) (Form A20) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in the data analysis. The prevalence rate of child neglect among the adolescents ranges from 49.5% (total child neglect) to 74.2% (physical neglect). The prevalence rate of poor mental health was 35.4%.There was no significant sex difference in both child neglect and mental health status of the adolescents. Significant positive correlation was observed between child neglect and poor mental health status. Parental occupation and family size significantly influenced both child neglect and mental health status of adolescents. There was a high prevalence of child neglect and poor mental health among the adolescents. Family size and parental occupations were significant determinants of poor mental health. Secondary school curriculum should include acceptable practices in parenthood, policies on child neglect should be effectively enforced, and more research efforts on child neglect should be carried out.

Gender Differences in Guidance Needs of Senior Secondary School Adolescents of Imphal District

The present study was undertaken to assess the guidance needs of senior secondary school adolescents of Imphal districts, Manipur across gender. Out of the total 60 schools situated in both distric...

Dermatologic conditions in teenage adolescents in Nigeria.

BackgroundSkin disorders are common in adolescents, and the impact on quality of life can be enormous, particularly when viewed against the backdrop of the visibility of skin diseases and the psychologically vulnerable period of adolescence. However, few studies have documented the magnitude of skin disorders in this subset of individuals. We therefore estimated the point prevalence and pattern of dermatologic conditions in adolescents attending various secondary schools in Calabar, Southern Nigeria.MethodsUsing a structured questionnaire, relevant sociodemographic information was obtained from 1,447 teenage adolescents from eight secondary schools. Thereafter, a whole body examination was conducted to determine the presence and types of skin disorders seen.ResultsSkin diseases were seen in 929 students. The point prevalence was higher in males (72.1%) than in females (58.3%). Private schools had a higher prevalence than public schools. The six most common dermatoses were acne vulgaris, pityriasis versicolor, nevi, tinea, miliaria, and keloid/hypertrophic scars, and accounted for over 80% of the dermatoses seen.ConclusionThe point prevalence of dermatoses in senior secondary school adolescents was 64.2%. Although a large number of skin disorders were observed, only a handful accounted for a significant proportion of the diseases seen. This increases the ease of training community health workers in the recognition and treatment of common skin diseases. Age, race, and climatic factors are important determinants of skin diseases in adolescents in Nigeria.

Guidance Needs of Adolescents: Reflections from Their Type of Family

The present study is an attempt to assess the guidance needs of senior secondary school adolescents of Imphal districts, Manipur, across type of family. 651 respondents consisting of 272 boys and 379 girls were randomly drawn from 60 schools of Imphal district. Socio-demographic profile of respondents was studied using self-structured performa and their guidance needs was assessed using Guidance Needs Inventory. Results revealed that respondents from both the family types had extreme need for physical, educational and vocationa l guidance and least need for psychological guidance. Similarly, among the five domains of guidance, respondents from nuclear and joint families expressed need for vocational guidance on top priority. Guidance needs of respondents in all the domains were observed to be insignificantly related to their type of family.

Adolescent malnutrition: Prevalence and pattern in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Nigeria

Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of malnutrition among adolescents in senior secondary schools in The Abuja Municipal area councilMethods: Study design: this is a cross-sectional study conducted among adolescents (10-19 years) in secondary schools. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select a total of 1700 students from classes in selected schools. All schools in the Abuja Municipal Area council (AMAC) were stratified into urban and rural schools. Eight schools were selected by balloting from a list of schools obtained from the Education centre. A school was selected from each of the four major districts of AMAC and four schools were selected from the rural making a total of 8 schools. Although the consent of the school authorities was obtained, individual subject also consented to the study before being enrolled. The study excluded those adolescents who were physically challenged thus limiting physical activity. Information was obtained via the use of questionnaires that were administered by trained personnel. Subject’s height and weight was taken using the floor-type height (H) and weight (W) measuring scale model ZT-120 using Massachusetts department of public health protocol. The nutritional status was determined using the formula: BMI= W/H2 , where W =weight (in kilograms) and H= height (in meters). The age and sex specific height and BMI percentile for each subject was determined using the 2007 WHO Height and BMI growth charts for age 5-19years. The students were then classified into one of the following categories using previously used standards: normal, stunted, wasted, overweight or obese. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17 statistical package.Results: The mean age was 14.43±1.94 years; male 688, female 862, M:F ratio 1.1.3. Mean BMI, weight and height were 20.31±3.07kg/m2, 51.07± 10.80 kg, and 157.88±9.33 cm. The prevalence of wasting, stunting, overweight and obesity was documented as 1.7% (27/1550), 11.3% (175/1550), 13.2% (205/1550), and 2.6% (41/1550) respectively. Those in urban schools had higher mean BMI (20.91±3.22 kg/m2 versus 19.71±2.78 kg/m2) and height (160.41±9.14 cm versus 155.32±8.81 cm) and p values &lt;0.05.Conclusion: There is a double burden of over-nutrition (overweight and obesity) and under-nutrition (stunting and wasting) among adolescents in Nigeria.Key words: Adolescent, malnutrition, school population

Knowledge and menstrual hygiene practices among adolescents in senior secondary schools in Ile Ife, south-western Nigeria

A culture of silence surrounds menstruation while inadequate facilities predispose adolescents to psycho-social trauma and cyclic absenteeism from schools. This study assessed the knowledge and menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices among in-school adolescents in an urban city in Nigeria. The descriptive, cross-sectional study identified 400 respondents through a multistage technique and collected data through validated questionnaire and observational checklist. The mean age and age-at-menarche of respondents were 15.3 ± 1.5 and 12.8 years, respectively. Most respondents (70%) were aged 10–15 years, had good knowledge of MHM (296, 74%) and knew about menstruation before menarche (85.4%). MHM knowledge was significantly associated with: mother's education (p = 0.029); absorbents changing frequency (p = 0.003); and age-at-menarche (p = 001). The number of absorbents used daily was 2.5 ± 0.7; 90% of adolescents changed absorbents at least twice daily while 24.2% had previously changed it in school. Moreover, 14.4% of respondents abstained from school during menstruation and there was a significant association between school type and menstrual absorbents used (p = 0.0001), mothers' education (p = 0.0001) and disposal of used absorbents (p = 0.004). Spent absorbents were mostly disposed of in pit latrines (35.1%) and by burning (32.6%). A wide disparity remains between good MHM knowledge and poor practices. Therefore, gender-friendly facilities should be provided in schools to ensure retention of girls and end psycho-social trauma experienced during menstruation.

Prevalence of Obesity among Adolescents in Senior Secondary Schools in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to examine the prevalence of obesity among adolescents in Oyo state. A total of 821 [male (383) and female (438)] aged 12–18 years were selected from 10 public and private secondary schools using multi-stage sampling techniques. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics. Results showed that majority (73.3%) of the respondents were between 15-18 years. Prevalence of obesity among the respondents using BMI-for-Age percentile shows that majority (82.5%) of the respondents were between 5th-85th percentiles (normal), 2.2% were between 85th95th percentiles (overweight), while 2.6% percentile were above 95th percentile (obese). Both sexes show a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in anthropometric measurement [height, body mass index (BMI-for-Age), triceps, biceps, waist circumference, hip circumference and percentage body fat]. Therefore, the study concluded that the prevalence of obesity among adolescents is relatively low and highlights the need for larger population-based studies to ascertain the overall prevalence within the state.

A Study to assess and Compare the Knowledge and Attitude Towards Alcoholism among Adolescents of Selected Private and Government Senior Secondary Schools of Ambala, Haryana

Adolescence is a social phenomenon as well as developmental stage marked by accelerated growth and emotional turmoil. Adolescence is time of trial and error of testing boundaries and of trying new behaviors. Keeping all this in view a study to assess and compare the knowledge and attitude towards alcoholism was carried out among adolescents of selected Private and Government Senior Secondary Schools of Ambala, Haryana. Objectives of the study were to assess and compare the knowledge and attitude towards alcoholism among adolescents of Private and Government Senior Secondary Schools. The study was also intended to determine the relationship between knowledge and attitude scores of Private and Government Senior Secondary School adolescents and to find the association of levels of knowledge and attitude towards alcoholism among Private and Government Senior Secondary School adolescents with Selected Personal Variables. 400 subjects (200 from Private and 200 from Government senior secondary school) were selected by convenience sampling technique. The data was collected by using structured knowledge questionnaire and 5 point Likert Scale. There was no significant difference in knowledge and attitude towards prevention and treatment of alcoholism among Private and Government Senior Secondary School adolescents. A moderately positive correlation was found between knowledge and attitude score of Private and Government Senior Secondary School adolescents.

Influence of personality types and academic procrastination on the academic achievements of Senior Secondary School Adolescents in Ibadan Metropolis

This study examined the influence of personality type and academic procrastination on the Academic Achievement of Senior Secondary School students in Ibadan metropolis. Sample consisted of 200 senior secondary school students in Ibadan metropolis. Two research instruments were used: namely academic procrastination scale and the Big – 5 factor scale. The reliability co-efficient of the instruments were 0.76 and 0.72 and validated by the authors respectively. Three null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significant. The results revealed in H01 that there is a significant difference in the personality types and academic procrastination of senior secondary school adolescent students. Also H02 revealed a significant difference in the gender academic achievement and H03 also revealed a significant difference in age. Recommendations and conclusion were made based on the findings.

Prevalence Of Dental Caries Among Female Adolescents In Umuahia Metropolis

The objective of this study was mainly to ascertain the knowledge and practice of oral health and to determine the prevalence of dental caries among female adolescents. It is a descriptive crosssectional study. The study population consisted of female adolescents in senior secondary schools in Umuahia. Two hundred and fifty one students were selected using the multistage sampling technique. Data collection was through self-administered questionnaires alongside dental examination usingmirrors and probes. Data analysis was done manually and electronically using Microsoft Excel. Mean age of the respondents was 15.12 ±1.7years. Of the 251 respondents, 62 (24.7%) had dental caries. The total number of affected teeth was 94. The DMF index was 1.52. The number of students that use fluoridated dentifrices was found to be 235(93.6%) and 12(4.8%) students were found not to be using fluoridated dentifrices. Eighty (thirty-two percent) was found to clean their mouth once daily while125(49.8%) clean their mouth more than once daily. Eighty six (thirty-four percent) consume sugary confectioneries at least once daily while 148(59%) consume sugar confectionaries more than once daily. The use of fluoridated dentifrices, consumption of sugary confectionaries and frequency of mouth cleaning were found to affect the incidence of dental caries. Therefore, the prevalence of dental caries is relatively high, hence the need for improved oral health practices among our adolescents.Key Words: Dental Caries, Fluoridated Dentifrices, Confectioneries, Umuahia, Adolescents.

Sexual behaviour of in-school adolescents in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria.

This study was a crossectional survey conducted among 716 senior secondary school adolescents in Ibadan from March to August 2005. The result of 695 that was analyzed revealed that the mean age of 15 +/- 2.6years. 28.3% of the respondents had previous sexual exposure with higher proportions being male (p = 0.00043). Majorities' first sexual exposure was unplanned. Family settings and educational level do not have significant influence on the previous sexual exposure. The methods of sexual activity were mainly through vagina route while some had also practiced oral and anal sex. Most of those that are sexually exposed had more than one partner. About half of the respondents learn about sex from their friends while others through their parents and media. We conclude that in-school adolescents practiced unsafe sexual activity and they are therefore predisposed to STI/HIV and other reproductive health risks.

Female adolescent sexual behaviour in Calabar, Nigeria

A large number of our female adolescents are at risk of reproductive ill health. This may have its roots in their sexual behaviour. There is need to unfold our female adolescent sexual behaviour as this will establish the necessity or otherwise for interventions. Senior secondary school adolescents in Calabar were studied with the help of a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. This was to unfold their age at menarche and their sexual behaviour. the average age at menarche in Calabar is 12.86 years. About 37.4% of senior secondary school female adolescents are sexually active with an average age at initiation of 13.7 years. About 22.6% of them have more than one sexual partner. Most of them (51.2% ) learned about sexual intercourse from their peers. They go into sexual intercourse for fun, intimacy and friendship (84% ). Only 6.0% of the sexually active adolescents ever used family planning methods. This poor sexual behaviour in these adolescent girls is significantly influenced by the socio-economic status of parents and not by the type of school attended. About 18.4% of them have been pregnant at least once, 15.1% have had genital tract infection and 31.9% have sustained genital tract injury during sexual intercourse. Sexuality education both at home and in school is lacking in Calabar. There is need for adolescents in Calabar to be exposed to sexuality education both at home and in school. Schools with adolescent girls whose parents are of low socio-economic status should be targeted more than others. There is a call for the provision of youth care centres in schools where reproductive health matters are discussed and managed.