“Closed Mouths Don’t Get Fed”: Understanding the Patterns of Parent-Adolescent Communication on Sexual and Reproductive Health Issues in Ibadan Slums, Southwest Nigeria

Taofeek Aliyu, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Josua Aransiola, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

Poor parent-adolescent communication about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues is associated with poor sexual outcomes among adolescents in Nigeria with the case worst for adolescents’ slum dwellers. This study investigated SRH issues and patterns of parent-adolescent communications in select slums in Ibadan, Nigeria. Mixed methods sequential explanatory design involving structured questionnaire with 796 parent-adolescent dyads and 8 FGDs were employed. Quantitative data were analysed using percentages, chi-square and kappa coefficient while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Communication regarding SRH occurs in many households but indirectly. A higher proportion of mothers discuss all SRH issues with their adolescents than fathers. Discussion were usually on limited topics. The study concluded that there is a complex web of factors influencing parent-adolescent communication concerning SRH issues which needs to be considered without which any intervention to improve SRH communication between parents and adolescents might not have the desired outcome.