Determinants of Patterns of Communication on Sexuality Between Parents and In-School Adolescents in Agege Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VIII, Issue VI, June 2021 | ISSN 2321–2705

Determinants of Patterns of Communication on Sexuality Between Parents and In-School Adolescents in Agege Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria

Balogun, A. R., Agbede, C. O, & Sosanwo, T. S.
Department of Public and Applied Health, Babcock University, Nigeria

Abstract
Adolescent sexuality communication is very important for improved sexual and reproductive health. This study investigated the determinants of patterns of communication on adolescents’ sexuality between parents and in-school male adolescents in Agege local government area, Lagos state, Nigeria. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design and it adopted the purposive sampling with the questionnaire validated. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the levels of predisposing factors for knowledge of adolescent at sexuality, both the parents and the adolescent student indicated that among parents, there was good perception about communicating sexuality with parent while only 28.1% of the parents had poor perception. Majority of the respondents (parents and adolescents) reported moderate pattern of communication about sexuality among the adolescents. There was a significant relationship between parents’ knowledge on adolescent’s sexuality and patterns of communication between parents and in-school male and female adolescents in Agege Local Government Area, Lagos State, (p<0.05). There was a significant relationship between parents’ perception on adolescent’s sexuality and patterns of communication between parents and in-school male and female adolescents in Agege Local Government Area, Lagos State (p<0.05). The three environmental factors (peers, media and family support) predicts patterns of sexuality communication between parents and in-school male and female adolescents in Agege Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that parents should pay more attention to their adolescents’ sexuality issues and be more opened to communicating with them. Parent should communicate more with their male and female adolescents regarding their sexuality.

Keywords: Adolescents, Communication, Knowledge, Parents, Sexuality

1.0 Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines adolescents as those people between 10 and 19 years of age. It includes the age-based definition of “child”, for a person under the age of 18 years where a specific health and developmental needs and rights are sensitive. It is also a time to develop knowledge and skills, learn to manage emotions, relationships, acquire attributes and abilities of assuming adult roles (WHO, 2018). This world is home to about 1.2 billion adolescents, 70% of whom live in developing countries (Gupta, 2014). This is the fastest growing population especially in the resource limited nations (UNPFA, 2014). Adolescents

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