AN INVESTIGATIVE STUDY OF THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF EARLY MOTHERHOOD IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF EJIGBO OSUN STATE)
ABSTRACT
This study was intended to investigate the effect and causes of early motherhood in Nigeria. This study was guided by the following objectives; to evaluate the causes of early motherhood in Nigeria, to evaluate the effect of early motherhood on the academic performance of student mothers, to evaluate the effect of early motherhood on the health outcome of children born to such mothers and to evaluate the effect of early motherhood on the socio-psychological well-being of women in Nigeria. The study employed the descriptive and explanatory design; questionnaires in addition to library research were applied in order to collect data. Primary and secondary data sources were used and data was analyzed using the chi square statistical tool at 5% level of significance which was presented in frequency tables and percentage. The respondents under the study were 100 residents of Ejigbo in Osun State, Nigeria. The study findings revealed that lack of marriage counseling, financial status, lack of knowledge of sex education, inadequate parental care are the major causes of early motherhood; based on the findings from the study, it was recommended that the parent, school counselor and other staff should assist the teenagers to know the adverse consequences of going into marriage at a very tender age.