Sexual Knowledge and Teenage Pregnancy Among Female Hawkers in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Abstract Background: This study investigated patterns of Sexual Knowledge and teenage pregnancy among female hawkers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Method: The study population consisted of female adolescents aged 8-19 years. The samples 113 girls were drawn for the study. Two pregnant girls were interviewed. The sampling technique used was the purposive sampling. The hypotheses were tested at calculated value of 0.000 level of significance for validity. The hypotheses were analysed based on the Pearson chi-square test version of the SPSS. The data generated were analysed using frequency count and percentage for describing the data. The chi-square statistics as well as the in-depth interview were used to make inferences about the data. Findings: It was found that teenage hawkers have experienced one form of sexual activity while hawking including unwanted touching (sexual harassment), sexual intercourse, rape, sexual abuse and unwanted pregnancy. Conclusion: Based on these findings, it was recommended that skills and training need to be provided in and outside the school system. Parent, teachers and counsellors should convey abstinence and prevention messages so as to sensitize or discourage early sexual activity and teenage pregnancy of female hawkers. A poverty alleviation programme should also be put in place at the local level to reduce this form of child labour. Protective child right policy should be intensified to reduce child labour in the society.