ISSUES IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH VOL. 2

There is no provision of the education law in Nigeria that allows pregnant students in secondary schools. This has a serious implication for school population by the pregnant adolescent girl- child. To an adolescent the risks of child bearing became catastrophic for the young girl in secondary school and early pregnancy usually terminates her chances of going back to school. Sometimes, adolescent pregnancy results among adolescents who make friends with members of the opposite sex based on self-identity, self-definition and self-interest. Adolescent pregnancy results in poor academic performance in school and a girl might have to drop out of school. Adolescent pregnancy and early motherhood is associated with poverty, most girls who fall victims of pregnancy come from lower socio-economic group. It has been observed that adolescents who engaged in sexual behaviour that puts them at the risk of not only having unwanted pregnancy but also puts them at the risk of having sexually transmitted infections and premarital pregnancy.