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Emerging teen fatherhood and its implications for national development

AMOO Emmanuel Olagunju

Demography and Social Statistics Programme
School of Social Sciences, College of Development Studies
Covenant University, Cannanland, Ota. Ogun State. Nigeria

[email protected] or [email protected]

Abstract
While girl-teen pregnancy is frowned at world-wide, the acquiescence of many communities and
cultures towards teen fatherhood is appalling in developing nations especially in sub-Saharan
Africa. The study examined the prevalence and implications of teen fatherhood on national
development. Structured face-to-face interviewed technique was used among 200 teen-males
that were randomly selected from Ado/Odo Ota local government area of Ogun State. Data
were analyzed using univariate and logistic multivariate techniques. The result revealed that 35
percent of the respondents had fathered at least child and 61.4 percent were involved in multiple
sexual partnerships. The study also showed that teens’ involvement in sexual activities is
positively associated with paternal income and mothers’ education. It indicated that respondents
that adopted condoms, pills and local herbs for protection were 0.647 and 0.332 times less likely
to be involved in multiple sexual partnerships compared to teenagers who used no form of
protection. It revealed that age, religious affiliation and knowledge about the mode of HIV
transmission were statistically insignificant correlates of involvement in multiple sexual
partnering. The study concludes that teen fatherhood would have negative developmental effects
for the father, the children and the mother. The author recommended that action-based home-
front enlightenment towards the implications of pre-mature sexual activities is expedient in order
to raise healthy population with potential for sustainable development.

Key words: Teens, fatherhood, sexual activity, STIs, child

Background to the study

Teenage fathers are relatively absent from public statistics and there are no popular population
based data in Nigeria on the age at which fatherhood starts compared with the voluminous
statistics on motherhood and female fertility. While girl-teen pregnancy is frowned at world-
wide, the acquiescence of many communities and cultures towards teen fatherhood is appalling
in developing countries especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Although, the teen male responsibility
for pregnancy is not always easy to determine, their prevalence cannot be denied and their
attendant consequences might not be too benign for development (Flanigan, Huffman & Smith,
2002; 2002b; Teens for Health, 2008; Leslie, Gates & Taylor, 2010). Why would a society
abhors teen-girl pregnancy and permits teen-fatherhood? What are the likely consequences to a

1
country where too many of her young men are not waiting to be emotionally and financially
ready before they become fathers? What are the profiles of teen fathers in this part of the world
and what are their knowledge and attitude towards sexual relationships and preventive measures
against STIs? The forgoing questions formed the basis of this study.

In Asia, among the non-Hispanic black, 25 percent fathered their first child before they were 20
years old, 19 percent of Hispanic fathers and 11 of whites became fathers while they were teens
(Leslie et al, 2010). Other studies revealed that 2-7 percent of male teenagers were fathers in
1993, 2.3 percent in 1998 and 28 in 2000 (Sonenstein, Pleck & Ku, 1993; Ventura et al, 1998;
Thornbery et al, 2000). In the United States, 15.3 percent of men have fathered a child before
their 20th birthday in 2002 (Martinez et al, 2006). Studies have also shown that many of the
problems faced by teen mothers are also experience by teen fathers. Teen fathers are more likely
to live in deprived areas, suffer unemployment and lack access to healthcare services (Leslie et
al, 2010). About 20-30 percent of men who fathered a child before aged 20 years had never
lived with their child (Quinlivan & Condon, 2005; Leslie et al, 2010). The absence of the father
in the life of the child can portends danger for the development of the child and society in
general. Specific statistics on most of these issues are difficult to establish for Nigeria like most
nations in sub-Saharan Africa.

Teen fatherhood and teen pregnancy cannot be dissociated from unguided sexual relationships
and adequate guidance in all facets of their childhood constitutes the uppermost need of most
teens and adolescents. However, the cumulative effects of this unmet need possess important
implications for future well-being and could as well set the scene for sexual misdemenour with
likely grave consequences on health and development of a nation. Many researchers have shown
that infants born to very young mothers experience greater risks of having health and
developmental problems relative to those born to older mothers (WHO, 1986; Makinson, 1985;
Bledsoe & Cohen, 1993; National Department of Education, 2009). At the same time, most
children whose fathers left the family early in life tend to have early exposure to sexual activities
(Action Health Incorporated (AHI), 2009).

2
Globally, teen pregnancy ranges from 143 per 1000 in some sub-Saharan African countries to 2.9
per 1,000 in South Korea (Rudatsikira et al, 2007). In Nigeria, teen girls account for over 1
million births annually (AHI, 2009). It has also been observed that eight out of 10 teen fathers
do not marry the mothers of their first children (Brein & Willis, 1997). The developing
countries now have over one billion adolescents who are physically old enough to reproduce
themselves but who are far too young to be responsible healthy parents of healthy children.
Majority of this magnitude are under the age 15 and have no access to relevant information about
sexuality (Matthews, 2007; Amoo & Adeyemi, 2010) and the means of livelihood. Men who did
not live with both parents at age 14 are more likely to have had sexual intercourse during the
teenage years compared with those who lived with both parents at age 14 (Martinez et al, 2006).
African teenage fertility rates are the highest in the world (United Nations, 1989; National
Department of Education, 2009) and in most sub-Saharan African countries, women’s age at first
marriage and first child births is mostly in the tens. Reducing the preponderance of teen fathers
is a two-edged weapon that is closely connected to the goal of promoting responsible fatherhood
and reduction in teenage pregnancy. This also could culminate in responsible sexuality and well-
being of their children as a result of ensuing close connection between children and committed
fathers. The study is meant to highlight the demographics profile of teen fathers in the location
of study and to provide understanding on the knowledge and attitude of teen fathers on
prevention of sexual transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and its implications for national
development.

Objectives of the study

The objective of the research is to examine the phenomenon of teen fatherhood and its
implications for national development. Specifically, it is meant to identify teen fathers in the
study location and their demographic characteristics. It is also established to assess the
implications of their knowledge and attitude toward national development.

Literature Review
A teen father is a young male still under his 24th birthday but procreated or responsible for the
procreation of an offspring regardless of the age of the woman (Martinez et al, 2006; Healthy
Teen Network, 2011). Teenage fatherhood occurs when an underage boy (usually within the

3
ages of 10-24 years) becomes a father or an expectant father. However, as teen mothers face
several problems ranging from obstetrics challenges to financial inadequacies, the teen fathers
face more problems especially when taking into cognizance the patriarchal system in sub-
Saharan region. In Nigeria, an average man is the social gatekeeper, economically and
emotionally sources of livelihood of his wife(ves) and children (Isiugo-Abanihe, 2003; Amoo,
2011). Most teen lack legal capacity to work and where they do, it is always menial types with
lower earnings. This invariably exposes them to deprivation including inadequacies at the home
front which could likely affect their social–cultural responsibilities in the family.

Clarity of the perception of teenagers on sexual activity or its consequences is shrouded with
confusion. This is compounded by cultural silence over sex or its education especially in sub-
Saharan Africa. A study indicated that sexual experience before age 20 is nowadays regarded by
teens as normal while almost 29 percent of them are exposed to pressure of sexual intercourse
(AHI, 2009). It revealed that 33 percent of teenagers are already in relationship, over 24 percent
experience unwanted sexual activities (AHI, 2009). While the society is sighing away from the
responsibility of sexuality education, the social and economic consequences of early sex among
the teenagers has remained burdensome over the family and the society as whole. Also, in sub-
Saharan African region, the challenge of HIV/AIDS which has constituted a major health
concern has been traced to heterosexual intercourse and increasing sexual misdemeanour among
the teenagers. In Kenya, three percent of young female adolescent aged 15-19 years were HIV
positive in 2004, Tanzania reported 1.8 percent of school children with different STDs include
being tested positive for pregnancy (Rudatsikira et al, 2007). Niger experience according to
Demographic Health Survey of 1992 (DHS, 1992) shows that 47 percent of women aged
between 20 and 24 were married before the age of 15 and 87 percent before the age of 18 while
about half of the total young adolescents had had a child before the age of 18.

Around the globe, the teenagers constitute more than two-third of the world population with
higher proportion in developing nations (Makinwa–Adebusoye, 1991; Bledsoe & Cohen, 1993;
British Council Nigeria & Harvard School of Public Health, 2010; Population Reference Bureau
(PRB), 2010). One in three African teenagers lives in Nigeria. Specifically, teen’s population in
Nigeria is 31,035,369 representing 22.5 percent out of a total population of 140,461,790. About

4
48 percent of this magnitude belongs to female gender while 52 percent are males (National
Population Commission (NPC), 2010). However, their sexual conduct and discord have become
persistent challenges with no agreeable determinant factors in the research parlance. The
consequences of their misdemeanor go beyond repercussions for the young only but for the
society as a whole.

Teenagers represents important target group in terms of development and sustainable growth of
the economy (PRB, 2010; Bloom, Canning & Sevilla, 2003). The mean age of puberty has been
declining. However, the increasing rate of sexual activity among them is a bugging issue.
Cursory observation could reveal a breakdown of traditional value system or a seemingly
liberation of sexual relationships especially in modern society of today (Amoo & Adeyemi,
2010). The incursion of modernization in the face of abject poverty or inadequacies could also be
possible determinants. Categorically, it has been observed that seven out of every ten males and
five out of every 10 females attending elementary schools in Nigeria are sexually active and have
had sexual relations at least once (WHO, 2004). Although, young adolescent is a period which an
individual makes a gradual transition from childhood to adulthood, it is a period for caution and
maximum monitoring by the parents or guardians as the case may be. They naturally become
aware of their sexual drive and feels to be handled, touched, loved and cared for by someone of
the opposite sex in the face of erroneous belief that they are 'matured' and can take meaningful
decisions on their own but without adequate knowledge of future implications (Faoye & Lana,
1998).

Teenagers are beset with myriads of challenges such as unwanted pregnancy, unexpected
fatherhood, induced and unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/ AIDS,
contraceptives use, childbearing, early marriages and so on (Jemmott, Jemmott & Fong, 1998;
Khan & Vinod, 2008). An unplanned pregnancy can be an emotionally wrenching experience for
the boy-father and it could be more frightening for teens which may be unprepared to father a
child. In this circumstance, the boy-man may suggest termination of the pregnancy and, to do so
through a ‘clandestine approach’. Abortion in this kind of situation could be dangerous and
might lead to death or other health hazards. It has been noted that the risk of death associated
with teen pregnancy is twice as much great for girls between 15 and 19 years compared to others

5
in older age groups and that they are more susceptible to suffering from anaemia, risk of
malnutrition and high blood pressure (Locoh, 2000; Treffers, 2003, U.S Department of Health
and Human Services, 2009). These complications could be aggravated in the absence of
responsible mature husbands. Therefore, it is believed that teenagers require true knowledge of
certain facts of life and informative literature that will guide them towards responsible and safe
sexuality, hence the need for this study.

Research Design
A quantitative research method was adopted in this study. Four wards were randomly selected
from the sixteen wards in Ado-Odo/Ota local government area that was purposively selected for
the study in Ogun State of Nigeria. A total of 200 teens were interviewed through a structured
face-to-face questionnaire technique. Data were analyzed statistically using a combination of
univariate and multivariate analytical techniques. The univariate analysis featured descriptive
statistics such as frequency distributions that was used to assess the demographic characteristics
of the respondents. The two hypotheses formulated were tested to confirm interrelationships
among the selected background variables and dependent variables using logistic and linear
regression techniques.

Results and discussion

Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the respondents
Table 1 presents the demographic profile of the respondents interviewed. 35 percent had
fathered a child, impregnated a girl o r currently married as at the time of the survey while 65
percent were single. All respondents covered were male teenagers less than 20 years of age.
The mean age recorded was 17 year. While all educational categories were reflected in the
survey, the proportion that attained secondary education and below was 76.6 percent. Tertiary
education accounts for 22.5 percent only and those who are illiterate are about 6.5 percent as
shown in Table 1. There is relatively no variation in education attainment between those who
were married and the single. Considering the tender age of the respondents and their sexual
behaviour, it was considered necessary to evaluate their parents’ background especially in areas
of education, occupation and their income status. This procedure was in consonance with the
study objectives and findings from other studies that have indicated interconnections between

6
adolescent sexual behaviour and their parental background (Bledsoe & Barney, 1993; Brein &
Willis, 1997; Faoye & Lana, 1998; AHI, 2009; Amoo & Adeyemi, 2010).

Table 1: Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Respondents

Selected variables Never Married Married Total
No % No % No %
Age group of respondents
Below 10 years 18 13.8 8 11.4 26 13.0
10-14 years 34 26.2 15 21.4 49 24.5
15-19 years 78 60.0 47 67.1 125 62.5
Total 130 65.0 70 35.0 200 100.0
Respondent’s education
No Schooling 5 3.8 8 11.4 13 6.5
Primary Education 20 15.4 9 12.9 29 14.5
Secondary Education 72 55.4 41 58.6 113 56.5
University & others 33 25.4 12 17.2 45 22.5
Father's educational attainment
No Schooling 7 5.4 8 11.4 15 7.5
Primary Education 19 14.6 7 10.0 26 13.0
Secondary Education 71 54.6 39 55.7 110 55.0
Tertiary education 33 25.4 16 22.9 49 24.5
Religion Affiliation
Christianity 67 51.5 34 48.6 101 50.5
Islam 56 43.1 29 41.4 85 42.5
Traditional 7 5.4 7 10.0 14 7.0
Father’s Occupation
Trading 31 23.8 22 31.4 53 26.5
Artisan 48 36.9 19 27.1 67 33.5
Farming 10 7.7 6 8.6 16 8.0
Civil Servant 16 12.3 9 12.9 25 12.5
Other Professional 20 15.4 9 12.9 29 14.5
Unemployed 5 3.8 5 7.1 10 5.0
Father Income Status
Less than N10,000 30 23.1 22 31.4 52 26.0
N10,000-N19,999 46 35.4 17 24.3 63 31.5
N20,000-N29,999 10 7.7 7 10.0 17 8.5
N30,000-N39,999 20 15.4 11 15.7 31 15.5
N40,000 and above 19 14.7 8 11.5 27 13.5
Unemployed/No Income 5 3.8 5 7.1 10 5.0
Employment Status
Employed 77 59.2 29 41.4 106 53.0
Not Employed 53 40.8 41 58.6 94 47.0
Total 130 100 70 100 200 100
Financial/Other Support
Receives Support 66 50.8 27 38.6 93 46.5
Receives no Support 64 49.2 43 61.4 107 53.5
Total 130 100 70 100 200 100.0
Source: Field Survey 2011

7
The table revealed that half of the respondents were Christians, 42.5 percent were Muslims while
only seven percent practiced traditional religion (Table 1). The percentage distribution of fathers’
educational attainment followed a normal distribution pattern as reflected in Table 1. It
specifically shows that 7.5 percent of the teen fathers had no formal education while 24.5 percent
had attained above secondary education. Half of these fathers had attended only secondary
school while 14.5 percent had only primary education. However, while lower illiterate level was
observed among the parents whose children had not impregnated any girl, a relatively 1.2 percent
more parents were illiterates among those who have impregnated at least a girl. In addition,
similar patterns of educational attainment were observed for respondents’ mothers. Parental
occupational distribution shows that higher proportions of parents are traders, artisans, civil
servants and professionals. Those who were not employed among the fathers were five percent
while 13.5 percent were unemployed among the mothers.

Employment and financial conditions of teen fathers

In sub-Saharan Africa, fathers automatically become breadwinners for their immediate families
(Isiugo-Abanihe, 2003; Amoo, 2011). Where condition warrants it, they may also have to
support other relatives. This could however cause additional burden to teen fathers because they
are to combine fatherhood with transitory challenges to adulthood. The employment status shows
that majority of those who have married are not employed as at the time of the interview.
Specifically, the finding revealed that 58.6 percent of the teen fathers were not employed while
59.2 percent of their counterparts were working as indicated in table 1. The result further
indicated that 50.8 percent of teens male who were not married had access to financial support
from either their own parents or other relations while only 38.6 percent of those who were
married received support from other relations (see Table 1). This implies that they may likely
face greater financial hardship and be economically disadvantaged. In this regard, it is not
unlikely that the financial constraints they were experiencing will limit their access to good
health services, adequate food for the family and, of course, good education for their children.
The multiplier effects of the consequential ill-health, uneducated future children, and mass
unemployment in the future will be devastating for national development. These findings
conform to other discoveries that teen fathers are likely to stand the risk of poor school

8
attendants and achievement, expose to shame (low self esteem) and substance abuse (Thornberry
et al, 1997).

The study also evaluated the social independence of the respondents in terms of accommodation.
Questions were canvassed on the ownership and type of accommodation they occupy and their
income status. The findings show that none of them owned a house. Relatively half of them
were living with their parents or staying in their fathers’ houses, 5.7 percent lived in community
houses, only 12.9 percent occupied rented apartments as at the time of the interview as indicated
in Table 2. The proportions that stayed in their in-laws and other relative’s apartments/houses
were 8.6 and 15.7 percent respectively. Although, the reasons for this was not directly asked
from the respondents, it is assumed that the lower economic status identified earlier (see Table 1)
was responsible for these positions.

Knowledge, attitude and sexual behaviour of teen fathers towards prevention of STIs
Perception of the respondents differs on the benefits of sexual intercourse. Axial coding
procedure was employed to streamline them into four principal categories. Almost half of the
teen fathers (47.1 percent) considered the sexual intercourse as crucial step to speed up marriage
processes and solidify relationship between the partners. It is considered as a means of
demonstrating affection among 17.1 percent while 30 percent believed it serves as means of
evaluating their “beauty and worth” among their peers (see table 2). About 5.7 indicated that sex
is medicinal and healthy exercise to the body. Virtually all respondents viewed sexual
intercourse as indispensable as far there generation is concerned.

The highlights from the frequency of sexual intercourse signaled urgent attention. 54.3 percent
of teen fathers confirmed they had sex within the last three months. The result of the analysis
revealed that 61.4 percent of the teen fathers had sexual partners who they were aware have other
sexual partners (see Table 2). The observation here depicted a ‘network-like chain’ of sexual
partnerships which expose them to the risk of sexual transmitted infections and portends great
obstacle towards prevention of HIV spread. In addition, the continuing spread of these diseases
is dangerous to future availability of healthy male population that is crucial to economic
development. It is also surprising to know that about 38.6 percent engaged in unprotected sex

9
despite the high level of awareness about HIV/AIDS and the knowledge of its transmission.
While half of the teen fathers indicated that it could be transmitted through sexual intercourse,
only 17.1 percent aware that transfusion of infected blood can cause HIV. 5.7 percent were of the
opinion that witchcraft could cause HIV/AIDS while about 14 percent indicated that it is
hereditary in nature as shown in Table 2.

Table 2: Knowledge, Attitude and sexual behaviour of teen fathers towards

prevention of STIs
Vital Benefits of sexual intercourse No % Accommodation No %
Keep us connected/Affection 12 17.1 Parent's House 40 57.1
step to marriage/Demonstration of 33 47.1 Mission House/Community 4 5.7
love Hostel
Medicinal/Healthy to the body 4 5.7 In-law’s house 6 8.6
It boosts my self-esteem 21 30.0 Relation's House 11 15.7
Total 70 100.0 Rented Apartment 9 12.9
Have intercourse in the last 3 Total 70 100.0
months
Yes 38 54.3 Current rate of intercourse
No 32 45.7 Very Often 7 10.0
Total 70 100.0 Often 44 62.9
Have partner that has other sexual Not Often 11 15.7
partner(s)
Yes 43 61.4 Not at all 4 5.7
No/Don’t know 27 38.6 No Response 4 5.7
Total 70 100.0 Total 70 100.0
Partner Age at first pregnancy Preventives commonly used
Less than 10 years 37 52.9 Condoms/Pills/Modern 28 40.0
methods
10-14 years 33 47.1 Herbs/traditional methods 15 21.4
Total 70 100.0 No method 27 38.6
Reasons for having girl friends Total 70 100.0
Poverty 10 14.3 Knowledge of HIV transmission
Pleasure /affection 9 12.9 Hereditary 10 14.3
Commitment/Step to Marriage 13 18.6 Sexual Intercourse 35 50.0
Medicinal/health reason 11 15.7 Blood Transfusion 12 17.1
Feel Attractive 18 25.7 Witch/Witchcraft 4 5.7
Parental Influence 5 7.1 Poverty/Lack of money 9 12.9
Religious reason 4 5.7 Total 70 100.0
Total 70 100.0
Ever Heard about HIV/AIDs Ever attended HIV screening
Yes 57 81.4 Yes 13 18.6
No 13 18.6 No 57 81.4
Total 70 100.0 Total 70 100.0
Source: Field Survey 2011

10
Proximate determinants of teen-boys involvement in sexual partnership
The two hypotheses formulated were: (1) whether having sexual partners is significantly
influenced by parental social status and (2) whether socio-demographic characteristics are
significantly related to teen-boys involving in sexual partnership. The first hypothesis was tested
using linear regression analysis owing to the metric nature of the selected independent variables.
In the model, social status of parents was captured using their educational attainment,
occupational distribution as well as their income levels. The result shows that fathers’ and
mothers’ education and mothers’ occupation are negatively related to teen boy involvement in
sexual activities. Only the mothers’ educational attainment is significant at p-value 0.006. The
finding however indicated that mothers’ and fathers’ incomes are positively related to teens’
involvement in sexual activities (Table 3). Although, the variables of income are not statistically
significant, it could be inferred that the higher the level of parents’ income, the higher the
likelihood that their children will engage in sexual activities.

Table 3: Regression analysis estimating the influence of parent’s social status on teen boy
involvement in sexual partnership
Unstandardized Standardized
Selected indicators of Parent’s Coefficients Coefficients t Sig.
social status
B Std. Error Beta B Std. Error
(Constant) 1.375 0.111 12.435 0.000
Father's Education -0.013 0.037 -0.042 -0.361 0.719
Mother's Education -0.025 0.040 -0.075 -0.627 0.531
Father's Occupation 0.030 0.033 0.115 0.908 0.365
Mother's Occupation -0.110 0.040 -0.477 -2.757 0.006
Father Income Status 0.025 0.024 0.123 1.072 0.285
Mum Income Status 0.035 0.029 0.216 1.204 0.230
R-Square = 0.122 Adjusted R Square = 0.095
Source: Field Survey 2011

The second model was estimated using logistic regression analysis. The result amazingly
indicated that knowledge about mode of HIV transmission was statistical insignificantly related
to teen involvement in sexual activity. Those with understanding of HIV transmission were
more prone to sexual activities compared to those who believed it is hereditary. It further
revealed that respondents that adopt condoms, pills as well local herbs for protection were 0.647,
0.332 and 0.318 times (respectively) less likely to be involved in sexual activities compared to
teenagers who use no form of protection as indicated in Table 4.

11
 Table 4: Logistic Regression estimating the effects of respondents’ socio-
demographic characteristics on the odds of teen boys engaging in sexual partnership
Socio-Demographic characteristics B S.E. Wald df Sig. Exp(B)
Knowledge of modes of HIV transmission
Hereditary RC
Sexual Intercourse 1.557 1.179 1.745 1 0.187 4.746
Blood Transfusion 0.295 1.146 0.066 1 0.797 1.343
Contact with Contaminated objects 0.686 1.211 0.321 1 0.571 1.986
Witch/Witchcraft -0.047 1.464 0.001 1 0.974 0.954
Poverty/Lack of money 0.879 1.097 0.643 1 0.423 2.410
Protection mostly use against HIV
None RC
Condom/Pills -0.435 1.031 0.178 1 0.673 0.647
Follow my period (Calendar) -1.103 1.089 1.025 1 0.311 0.332
Agunmu/Local herbs -1.147 1.573 0.532 1 0.466 0.318
Ever Attended HIV/AIDS counseling
No RC
Yes -0.937 0.840 1.245 1 0.265 0.392
Age of Respondents
Below 10 years RC
10-14 0.163 1.017 0.026 1 0.873 1.176
15-19 0.175 0.829 0.045 1 0.832 1.192
20-24 0.766 0.633 1.467 1 0.226 2.151
Respondent's Educational Attainment
No Schooling RC
Primary Education 2.463 1.050 5.499 1 0.019 11.736
Junior Secondary Education -2.409 1.333 3.266 1 0.071 0.090
Senior Secondary Education -1.993 0.967 4.247 1 0.039 0.136
OND/NCE/A-level/Tech Education -0.826 0.820 1.013 1 0.314 0.438
University & others -1.157 0.918 1.587 1 0.208 0.314
Religion Affiliation
Christianity RC
Islam 0.371 1.151 0.104 1 0.747 1.450
Traditional 0.509 1.206 0.178 1 0.673 1.664
Constant -1.549 1.416 1.198 1 0.274 0.212
-2 Log likelihood = 124.081 Cox & Snell R Square = 0.201
Nagelkerke R Square = 0.353 Overall Percentage = 89
Source: Field Survey 2011

Also, the result indicated that education, attendance of HIV/AIDS counselling and adoption of
measures against HIV infection were negatively related to teen involvement in sexual activities.
However, while the teen father that had attained above primary level of education would less
likely be involved in sexual activities, those with only primary education would be 11.736 times

12
more likely to be involved in sexual activities (Table 4). Primary education and senior secondary
education were significant at p-value 0.019 and 0.039 respectively as shown in Table 4.

Conclusion and implications for national development

The proportions of teen fathers recorded in this study is relatively high (35 percent of the total
sample) and this could portend danger to a developing nation like Nigeria. Considering also, the
level of unemployment identified among the teen fathers, the implications could be that the teens
would be unable to fund children education, have access to nutritious foods, and lack of adequate
support for the mothers and eh child in terms of healthcare services. This could aggravate the
(already high) maternal mortality rate in Nigeria. Besides, the presence of inexperienced and
immature fathers could likely hamper child development, poor upbringing and engender ill-equip
young folks that might not have economic prerequisite for sustainable development. Generally,
sexual behaviour and decisions of young male have important implications for healthy
productive future population. Lack of checks on their sexual behaviour could influence higher
fertility level. The author therefore supported other studies that teenage fatherhood is a sexual
and reproductive health matters that represents a crucial components of general health and a
fundamental prerequisite for social, economic and human development (Flanigan et al, 2002,
Treffers, 2003; Quinlivan & Condon, 2005; Teens for Health, 2008; Leslie et al, 2010). Ill-
matured parenting could be inimical to the community development. It could also engender poor
upbringing and availability of ill-equipped human energy that could jeopardize economic
development. Thus, mature resourceful and responsible parenting is considered as essential
ingredient for national development.

The study showed the importance of education as vital factor in controlling teen-boys’ sexual
comportment. Thus, it is recommended that a policy intervention that will incorporate universal
implementation of sex education with involvement of teenagers and definite focus on pregnancy,
STIs reduction and responsible sexual relationships be put in place. This will instill in the teens
the need for responsible sexual relationships. Also, owing to the observed statistical
insignificant relationship between knowledge about the mode of HIV transmission and
indulgence in sexual activities, proactive home-front enlightenment on the consequences of pre-
mature and unprotected sex among the teens can also yield economic results.

13
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