Two villages, Ichi (Anambra State) and Baranyonwa Dere (Rivers), in Eastern
Nigeria were chosen for study. A combination of methods was used: ethnographic
survey, focus groups and demographic survey of randomly selected heads of households
and adolescents aged 12-19.
The data showed that parent-child communication in sexual matters is nonexistent
or negative. Contraception is rare in traditional society. Most heads never
discussed family life education nor shared any information about STIs with adolescents.
A third of the adolescents are sexually experienced with a mean age of initiation
being 15.5 years, but only 11 percent are currently using contraceptives. The adolescents
displayed a high level of ignorance of the AIDS virus. Less than half correctly identified
preventive actions against contracting HIV. Older adolescents (16-19) and those who
had lived in urban areas before age 12 are more likely to be sexually experienced, while
having fathers in professional/skilled occupations decreased the odds. Also, males are
more likely than females to be current contraceptive users.
Programmes dealing with cultural practices and providing information and youthfriendly
services are needed