Practices and Perceptions of Parent-adolescent Communication on Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Comparative Study of Urban and Rural Adolescents in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Parent-adolescent communication on reproductive health is vital for shaping adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours. In Nigeria, especially in Bayelsa State, disparities in urban and rural settings affect the quality and openness of such communication, influencing sexual health outcomes and risk behaviours among young people. Objectives: Compare the practices and perceptions of Parent-adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health among urban and rural adolescents in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Materials and Methods: The study area was Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. A cross-sectional research design was used. The population comprised adolescents (male and female) between the ages of 15 to 19 years, attending secondary schools in urban and rural communities. The sample size of 248 adolescents was drawn using a multi-stage sampling technique from 54 secondary schools in the study area. A questionnaire was used to collect the required data. Frequency and percentages, and an independent sample t-test were used to analyse the data at the 0.05 alpha level. Results: Urban adolescents reported higher initiation of SRH talks (63.7% vs. 53.2%; p = 0.03), greater comfort (64.5% vs. 46.8%), and stronger belief in Parent-adolescent communication’s preventive role (61.3% vs. 45.2%; p = 0.002), while rural adolescents faced more topic avoidance, cultural taboos (46.0% vs. 32.3%; p = 0.033), and reliance on friends or schools for information. Conclusion: The study revealed significant urban–rural disparities in PAC on reproductive health, with urban adolescents receiving more open, accurate, and helpful discussions than their rural counterparts. Addressing cultural barriers, enhancing parental skills, and fostering supportive communication environments are essential to improving adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health outcomes in Bayelsa State.