Pages: (1-16 )
Abstract
Background: Modern contraceptives help women control the number of children they have, the spacing between pregnancies, and the timing of deliveries. Despite global and national efforts to improve reproductive health with contraceptives, many young mothers still experienced repeated unplanned pregnancies. Limited knowledge and poor attitude further restricts the utilization of modern contraceptives. This study assessed the effectiveness of health education intervention on knowledge and attitude towards modern contraceptive use among adolescent mothers in Ondo State, Nigeria. Methodology: The study employed a quasi-experimental design. A sample size of 60 adolescent mothers (15 – 19 years) were recruited into experimental and control groups using Jekel’s formula. Thirty participants each were purposively selected for each group. Structured validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of instruments was 0.81 and 0.80. Data was collected at baseline (P0), immediate post-intervention (P1) and 10th week follow-up (P2). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at 5% level of significance. Results: Findings revealed that the knowledge mean scores increased significantly across P0, P1 and P2 for EG (2.70 ± 1.97, 11.00 ± 0.00, and 18.93 ± 0.37, respectively; F = 511.82, p < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant increase between knowledge mean scores at P0 and P2 of CG (8.07 ± 0.50 and 6.97 ± 0.50 respectively, p > 0.05). Attitude mean score for EG improved significantly across P0, P1 and P2 (17.90 ± 2.71, 34.30 ± 4.18, and 35.13 ± 2.27, respectively; F = 302.92, p < 0.05), the CG exhibited no significant change at P0 and P2 (20.30 ± 4.50 and 19.90 ± 3.73, respectively; p > 0.05 Conclusion: The interventions significantly enhance modern contraceptive knowledge and attitudes among adolescent mothers. Integrating such programs into primary healthcare services can reduce repeat unplanned pregnancies and improve reproductive health outcomes.
Keywords: Adolescent Mothers, Attitudes towards modern contraceptives, Contraceptive knowledge, Health education intervention, Nigeria,