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Source of Information on Perceived Symptoms of STI and Challenges of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Among Adolescents in Rural Area, Oyo State Nigeria

Received: 25 September 2025     Accepted: 9 October 2025     Published: 28 November 2025
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Abstract

Background: Adolescents in rural Nigeria often face limited access to accurate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services due to cultural taboos, low parental involvement, and poor health infrastructure. Understanding sources of SRH information and the challenges faced is essential for designing effective interventions. Method: A mixed-method cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 adolescents aged 10–19 years in, Oyo State. Quantitative data were collected using structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires, while qualitative insights were gathered through 12 focus group discussions (FGDs). Data were analysed using SPSS Version 26 and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Results: Television, radio, and peers were the most common sources of SRH information (64.6%, 55.0%), while health workers (49.2%) and parents (40.0%) were less frequently reported. Over half of the respondents (55.0%) experienced high SRH-related challenges, such as lack of information, poor parental communication, and stigma. Adolescents aged 15–19 years (AOR=6.75, p=0.004) and those with tertiary education (AOR=35.24, p<0.001) were more likely to access good SRH information. Higher education (AOR=0.12, p=0.004) and condom use (AOR=0.15, p=0.021) were significantly associated with reduced SRH challenges. FGDs reinforced these findings, citing communication barriers, cultural norms, and limited support systems. Conclusion: Adolescents in rural Oyo State depend heavily on informal channels for SRH information and face multiple access barriers. Strengthening school-based SRH education, improving parental communication, and scaling youth-friendly services are critical to addressing these gaps.

Published in World Journal of Public Health (Volume 10, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.20
Page(s) 532-544
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Adolescent Sexual Health, Information Sources, Perceived Symptoms of STI, SRH Challenges

References
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  • APA Style

    Emenike, K. K., Titiloye, M. A., Sanni, F. O. (2025). Source of Information on Perceived Symptoms of STI and Challenges of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Among Adolescents in Rural Area, Oyo State Nigeria. World Journal of Public Health, 10(4), 532-544. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.20

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    ACS Style

    Emenike, K. K.; Titiloye, M. A.; Sanni, F. O. Source of Information on Perceived Symptoms of STI and Challenges of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Among Adolescents in Rural Area, Oyo State Nigeria. World J. Public Health 2025, 10(4), 532-544. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.20

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    AMA Style

    Emenike KK, Titiloye MA, Sanni FO. Source of Information on Perceived Symptoms of STI and Challenges of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Among Adolescents in Rural Area, Oyo State Nigeria. World J Public Health. 2025;10(4):532-544. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.20

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  • @article{10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.20,
      author = {Kelvin Kelechi Emenike and Musibau Ayoade Titiloye and Felix Olaniyi Sanni},
      title = {Source of Information on Perceived Symptoms of STI and Challenges of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Among Adolescents in Rural Area, Oyo State Nigeria},
      journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {10},
      number = {4},
      pages = {532-544},
      doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.20},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.20},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20251004.20},
      abstract = {Background: Adolescents in rural Nigeria often face limited access to accurate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services due to cultural taboos, low parental involvement, and poor health infrastructure. Understanding sources of SRH information and the challenges faced is essential for designing effective interventions. Method: A mixed-method cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 adolescents aged 10–19 years in, Oyo State. Quantitative data were collected using structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires, while qualitative insights were gathered through 12 focus group discussions (FGDs). Data were analysed using SPSS Version 26 and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Results: Television, radio, and peers were the most common sources of SRH information (64.6%, 55.0%), while health workers (49.2%) and parents (40.0%) were less frequently reported. Over half of the respondents (55.0%) experienced high SRH-related challenges, such as lack of information, poor parental communication, and stigma. Adolescents aged 15–19 years (AOR=6.75, p=0.004) and those with tertiary education (AOR=35.24, pp=0.004) and condom use (AOR=0.15, p=0.021) were significantly associated with reduced SRH challenges. FGDs reinforced these findings, citing communication barriers, cultural norms, and limited support systems. Conclusion: Adolescents in rural Oyo State depend heavily on informal channels for SRH information and face multiple access barriers. Strengthening school-based SRH education, improving parental communication, and scaling youth-friendly services are critical to addressing these gaps.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Source of Information on Perceived Symptoms of STI and Challenges of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Among Adolescents in Rural Area, Oyo State Nigeria
    AU  - Kelvin Kelechi Emenike
    AU  - Musibau Ayoade Titiloye
    AU  - Felix Olaniyi Sanni
    Y1  - 2025/11/28
    PY  - 2025
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.20
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    JF  - World Journal of Public Health
    JO  - World Journal of Public Health
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    EP  - 544
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2637-6059
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20251004.20
    AB  - Background: Adolescents in rural Nigeria often face limited access to accurate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services due to cultural taboos, low parental involvement, and poor health infrastructure. Understanding sources of SRH information and the challenges faced is essential for designing effective interventions. Method: A mixed-method cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 adolescents aged 10–19 years in, Oyo State. Quantitative data were collected using structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires, while qualitative insights were gathered through 12 focus group discussions (FGDs). Data were analysed using SPSS Version 26 and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Results: Television, radio, and peers were the most common sources of SRH information (64.6%, 55.0%), while health workers (49.2%) and parents (40.0%) were less frequently reported. Over half of the respondents (55.0%) experienced high SRH-related challenges, such as lack of information, poor parental communication, and stigma. Adolescents aged 15–19 years (AOR=6.75, p=0.004) and those with tertiary education (AOR=35.24, pp=0.004) and condom use (AOR=0.15, p=0.021) were significantly associated with reduced SRH challenges. FGDs reinforced these findings, citing communication barriers, cultural norms, and limited support systems. Conclusion: Adolescents in rural Oyo State depend heavily on informal channels for SRH information and face multiple access barriers. Strengthening school-based SRH education, improving parental communication, and scaling youth-friendly services are critical to addressing these gaps.
    VL  - 10
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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