CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.9 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Teenage pregnancy among youths in Nigeria has assumed an alarming proportion in recent years. A careful observation of the unfolding scenario of history would reveal the complexity of the problem which is even more glaring by the fact that is occurrences seems of double edge sword to the victims family, community and the nation in general. Meakers and Armed (1999). A teenager is one who have attained between the ages of 13 – 19 years which is also regarded as “adolescence” period that is characterized with puberty experiences. According to psychologist, regard this period to be more dedicate in the life of every individual as it precede and determines adulthood personality and adjustments. Horrocks (1975) with this, adequate guidance and counseling is needed whereas if lacking many lead to maladjustment. A Haurlock (1982) it is a period of adjacent storm, stress and crises when one grope, for adjustment in order to meet the demanding physical, mental, social, emotional, political, and economic standard. Therefore the need for adequate paternal and maternal care for teens cannot be overemphasized. In many parts of the world, the problem of teenage prostitution and pregnancy has been a frightening reality. The results are tragic and often times involve them in crime and drug abuse. Many of them feel frustrated and worthless, seeing little or no prospect of escaping their wretched lives.
Influential personalities recognize the devastating effects of teenage prostitution and pregnancy Brazils ex-president, Fernando Henrisque Cardoso aptly stated, child prostitution is a barbarous crime. Also a Brazilian newspaper published this sobering comment about child prostitution countries where such a practice is common, tolerated, accepted and even bought after because of the money it beings experience every day the devastation that it causes awake, child prostitution a tragic reality (Feb. 8, 2003). Despite the noble intentions most well individuals and groups to curb the phenomenon still stands in a growing rate. What leads to this horrific situation? Why do so many tolerate and even promote such a suicidal and genocidal behaviour. There has been jingles in day to day radios and television stations and such more plethora reports in newspapers about the ugly trend of teenage pregnancy among youths. Eort put in place has seem on difference, as a great number of students untimely withdrawing out of school in a massive manner. Not only limited to the females but along with their males counterparts who in collaboration involves in the act. L. l. Lauries, (1985). Lloyd and Menseh (1999) believed that the nature of the school, a girl or boy attends is presumed to be important because the negation process around sex.
The description of this process is that girls “give in” to boys in exchange for gist money transit. Inevitable the consequences is said to be unmeasurable as it send many to grave others who end up with the complications of pregnancy and childbirth including infertility, pelvic infections and chronic pain, obstetrician Olubukola Fawole (2001). Former, minister of health Dr. Ransome Kuti said that adolescent girls are victims of 50% of all maternal deaths in Nigeria. Early pregnancy in these young females result in very high mortality due to obstructed labor and other obstetric complications. Also, among girls below age 19, 72% of all deaths result from abortion complications. In addition to teenage pregnancy, other factors responsible for high maternal mortality in Nigeria include low education levels, poverty, lack of access to good health are and harmful traditional practices such as genital mutilation and especially early marriage.
In Nigeria increased unprotected sexual activities among males and females adolescents leading to unwanted pregnancy and illegal abortion is posing serious health problems. Approximately 610,000 abortions are performed in Nigeria annually, 60% of which are thought to be unsafe the maternal mortality ration in Nigeria is 1,500 deaths per 100,000 live births, of these 12% are estimated to be due to unsafe abortion. In some series, unsafe abortion accounted for up to 40% of maternal mortality, the average unsafe abortion morality ration in Africa is 110, deaths per 100,000 live following unsafe abortion in Nigeria is said to be worrisome. World Health Organization (WHO) 1993, education of teens could play a vital role, according to Universal Basic Education (UBE) policy on education (1981) specify equal right of every one to education. But this is reverse in practice as many female teens has been forced to withdraw out of school, due to pregnancy, which is the leading proximate cause of female early dropout of school. And many other reasons are absence of social and economic opportunities for girls and woman and the demand placed on them, coupled with the gender. Inequalities known to exist within the educational school experience, poor academic performance and resignation to preference and resignation for early motherhood.
