ANC Knowledge, Self-efficacy and Intent to Seek Care During Pregnancy Among Married Adolescents in Northern Nigeria

Mary Phillips, Population Services International
Abednego Musau, Population Services International (PSI)
Alhassan Bulama, Society for Family Health

In Nigeria serving adolescents who become pregnant with antenatal care to support a healthy pregnancy remains a challenge. This paper looks at levels of knowledge, self-efficacy, and intent to seek care during pregnancy among married adolescents aged 15-19 in northern Nigeria. Demographic information was collected to understand differences among married adolescents. Measures of interest included knowledge of early pregnancy signs and danger signs during pregnancy, self-efficacy to pursue positive behaviors during pregnancy, and intent to access ANC. Less than a quarter of participants had good knowledge of the early signs of pregnancy and just over one in ten had good knowledge of the danger signs during pregnancy. The majority of participants reported that they had the self-efficacy needed to pursue healthy behaviors during pregnancy and about two-thirds reported an intent to attend ANC. Given the low levels of knowledge, paired with high levels of self-efficacy and desire to pursue ANC, more support is needed to help married adolescents in northern Nigeria overcome barriers and act on intent to seek care.

Keywords: Children, Adolescents, and Youth

See extended abstract.