Nigeria is the most populous country in sub-Saharan
Africa. It also has a very young population. The majority of
the population is below the age of 25 years, with 22
percent of the country’s population between the ages of 10-
19 years. Data on sexual and reproductive health (SRH)
outcomes in Nigeria highlight the importance of focusing on
adolescents. At 576 maternal deaths per 100,000 live
births, Nigeria accounts for roughly 14 percent of the global
burden of maternal mortality (DHS 2013/WHO 2014).
Global evidence shows that young girls bear a higher
burden of maternal mortality and morbidity. Data show that
the average age at sexual debut is roughly 15 years of age
among adolescent mothers in Nigeria (DHS 2003, 2008,
2013). The national adolescent fertility rate in Nigeria is
122 births per 1,000 women aged 15–19 years. In the north
western states it is as high as 171 births per 1000 women
aged 15-19 years.
Investing in the human capital of its youth, including their
health, is important for boosting Nigeria’s long-term
prosperity. This includes a focus on adolescent sexual and
reproductive health (ASRH) – choices made at this point in
their lives, such as early marriage, pregnancies, or risky
sexual behavior, will affect their future.
This note presents the findings of a recent study on Nigeria
that examines determinants of adolescent sexual behavior
and fertility, with a narrower focus on knowledge, attitudes
and behaviors of adolescents aged 10-19 years old in Karu
Local Government Authority (LGA), a peri-urban area near
the capital city of Abuja.