A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF HEALTH EDUCATION ON HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR FOR MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS AMONG URBAN AND RURAL ADOLESCENT SECONDARY SCHOOL GIRLS IN AKWA IBOM STATE

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF HEALTH EDUCATION ON HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR FOR MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS AMONG URBAN AND RURAL ADOLESCENT SECONDARY SCHOOL GIRLS IN AKWA IBOM STATE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Adolescents are in a stage of rapid development during which they acquire new capacities and are faced with many new situations. It is a period when specific health concerns and issues emerge, and the risk of ill health increases. Of all challenges facing adolescents, those associated with sexual maturation are the most distinctive as well as the most problematic. Menstrual problems are issues that are not sufficiently acknowledged and have not received adequate attention. More so, it has been found that adolescents show poor health seeking behaviour for themselves.
This study sought to compare how menstrual problems are perceived among adolescent secondary school girls in 2 urban and 2 rural LGAs of Akwa Ibom state. It also sought to identify menstrual problems and determine their prevalence among these adolescents. The health seeking behaviour for these problems was also compared among the rural and urban respondents.
METHODS
A comparative interventional study was conducted over a four month period in 2 urban and 2 rural secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State. Multistage sampling method was used to select 601 girls from selected secondary schools in the selected LGAs. A pre-tested, self-administered and structured questionnaire prepared in English was used to gather data. In addition qualitative data was obtained through Focus Group Discussions and the mystery client approach. An intervention was instituted by providing Information, Education and Communication (IEC) in which teaching and learning was approached through creative and involving methods, and effect of the intervention was evaluated after 3 months. The data was analysed using the SPSS version 17 for Windows; results were presented
using tables and graphs. Statistical significance was determined using Chi square, t test and odds ratio, and level of significance was set at p<0.5.
RESULTS
The age of respondents ranged between 12-19 years with a mean age of 14.9 ± 1.1 years in the urban areas and15.0 ± 1.7 years in the rural area respectively (t = 1.2; p=0.232). The mean age for attainment of menarche among urban respondents was 12.7 ± 1.15 years, range (9-16years) whereas it ranged between 10-18 years with the mean age for attainment of menarche being 13 ± 1.24 years among the rural adolescents [t = 2.9; p= 0.002] .
Perception about menstruation showed some statistically significant improvement among rural and urban respondents after the intervention. Dysmenorrhoea was the major menstrual problem among rural and urban respondents with a prevalence of 64.8% and 68.9% respectively.
A sizeable proportion,( 21.6%) of girls in the rural areas stayed away from school due to menstrual pains while 15.7% did so in the urban areas and the observed difference was statistically significant (X2=4.904, p=0.027) pre-intervention. More respondent indulged in self- medication (51.6% rural and 47.2% urban; observed difference was not statistically significant) rather than seeing a doctor for menstrual health problems (3.3% rural and 8% urban, X2, df, p = 5.777, 1, 0.016; observed difference was statistically significant). The most preferred source of health information among the respondents was books/magazines.
The urban areas had better adolescent services, especially in the area of confidentiality. Generally the effect of health education was statistically significant on perception but not on menstrual hygiene and health seeking behaviour.
CONCLUSION
Family involvement in the design of adolescent health services ought to be given some consideration so that the correct perceptions are grasped by these adolescents. The need for early health seeking and cost effective interventions for menstrual problems needs to be emphasized. Establishment of Adolescent Friendly Health Services is a necessity given the near absence of such services in this part of Nigeria.
Finally, health education ought to be started early in school and given at regular intervals to adolescents for reinforcement of messages.

Title Page———i

Certification——–ii

Dedication———iii

Acknowledgement——-iv

Abstract ———vi

Table of Content——–vii

 

Chapter One

1.0 Introduction ——-1

1.1 Statement of Problem——4

1.2 Purpose of the Study——5

1.3 Significance of Study——8

1.4 Limitation——–9

1.5 Scope of Study——-11

 

Chapter Two

2.0 Review of Related Literature —-12

2.6 Summary of Literature Review—- 19

 

Chapter Three

3.0 Research Methodology and Procedure—22

3.1 Population ——–22

3.2 Sample and Sampling Technique—-22

3.3 Validation of the Instrument —-23

3.4 Reliability of the Instrument —–23

3.5 Data Analysis——-23

 

Chapter Four

4.0 Presentation and Discussion of Result—24

4.1 Analysis and interpretaion of Data—25

4.2 Discussion of Results——38

 

Chapter Five

5.0. Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation  –40

5.1 Summary——–40

5.2 Conclusion——–41

5.3 Recommendation——42

References ———45

Appendix 1——–47

Appendix ———50

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF HEALTH EDUCATION ON HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR FOR MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS AMONG URBAN AND RURAL ADOLESCENT SECONDARY SCHOOL GIRLS IN AKWA IBOM STATE

 

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