AUNTY AYO HIGH SCHOOL SURVEY REPORT
Introduction
Theodora AdamuAnavhe Foundation (TAAF) is a locally registered Non-Government
Organization with a core mandate of improving health index status of the girl child and
ultimately improving the life span of the woman from the reproductive health perspective.
TAAF has begun a campaign for Reproductive Health (RH) clubs in secondary schools
around the country (Nigeria). Her first assignment is to conduct a baseline assessment in each
state to inform decisions and planning of the RH clubs so as close the knowledge gap as
regards sexual, reproductive health and right.
Statistics show that each day, 14,000 people half of them aged 14-24 in Nigeria are infected
with HIV/AIDS (UNFPA). It is also estimated that only 24 percent of young people have
accurate knowledge that could help them adopt behaviours to reduce the risk of HIV
transmission. About 16 million girls aged 15 to 19 and some 1 million girls under 15 give
birth every year—most in low- and middle-income countries (this includes Nigeria).
Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the second cause of death for 15-19 yearold girls globally. Every year, some 3 million girls aged 15 to 19 undergo unsafe abortions.
Babies born to adolescent mothers face a substantially higher risk of dying than those born to
women aged 20 to 24 hence the need for programs that directly influence the decisions
youths make.
A school in Lagos State, Nigeria was identified for administration of the tool as the pioneer
school for the survey which will then lead up to setting up of the RH club. Aunty Ayo, Girls
High School is a girl’s only school in Obalende, Lagos. This school draws students from all
tribes residing in Lagos state, the school is situated in one of the busiest areas and it is one the
business hubs of the state. This ultimately makes it a suitable location to conduct a survey
and set up the RH club as the students are influenced by their surroundings and this will
inform decisions they make as girls.
Location
The location where the survey was implemented is Aunty Ayo Girls High School, Obalende,
Lagos.
Methodology
A survey tool was designed to reflect the knowledge of the girl child. The tool was designed
to be a questionnaire which is administered to an individual. The method of administration is
a one on one interview interviewee session, each session with individual students was made
private so as to enable confidentiality, openness and truthfulness from the respondents. See
Annex I for the questionnaire.
Categories
The survey questionnaire was categorized to assess knowledge across based on what the girl
child is expected to be exposed to at a certain age/class in her life. The survey questionnaire
was therefore prepared for the following ages/classes:
1. Senior Secondary 1- Age 13 – 14
2. Senior Secondary 2- Age 14 – 16
3. Senior Secondary 3- Age 15 – 17
Each of the questionnaires is further sectionalized into Reproductive Health and Family
Health Knowledge.
Analysis/Results
Survey questionnaires were administered to 66 female students that cut across the various
ages/classes.
20 questionnaires was administered to 20 students in SS1
32 questionnaires was administered to 32 students in SS2
14 questionnaires was administered to 14 students in SS3
The results below have been analysed taking into consideration the 3 categories responses
independently and cumulatively, also the final analysis reached taking the average of the 3
categories.
Table 1: Have you ever heard about RH?
Ages/Classes
SS 1 (13-14)
SS 2 (14-16)
SS 3 (15-17)
Average
% Yes
40
41
21
34
% No
60
59
79
66
Table 2: Exposure to Sex Education
Ages/Classes
SS 1 (13-14)
SS 2 (14-16)
SS 3 (15-17)
Average
% Yes
70
87
86
81
% No
30
13
14
19
Table 3: Who are you most comfortable discussing sexual and Reproductive Health
issues?
Ages/Classes
SS 1 (13-14)
SS 2 (14-16)
SS 3 (15-17)
Average
% Father
5
0
0
2
% Mother
70
63
43
59
Table 4: Knowledge of Pregnancy
Ages/Classes
SS 1 (13-14)
SS 2 (14-16)
SS 3 (15-17)
Average
% School-Media-Friends
100
100
100
100
% Home
0
0
0
0
Table 5: Knowledge of Pregnancy Complications
Ages/Classes
SS 1 (13-14)
SS 2 (14-16)
SS 3 (15-17)
Average
% Yes
27
56
71
52
% No
64
25
29
40
% Yes
45
84
79
69
% No
55
16
21
31
Table 6: Knowledge of STI
Ages/Classes
SS 1 (13-14)
SS 2 (14-16)
SS 3 (15-17)
Average
Interpretation
The average for each table takes into consideration the responses across the categories and
sums it up and divides it by the number of categories. This is needed to know the average
responses if we conduct a survey without categories. The interpretation of each table is as
follows:
Interpretation to table 1: 34% said yes to knowledge of RH while 66% said no. This clearly
shows a knowledge gap of RH. It is expected that a girl child in SS 1 should have the basic
knowledge about the reproductive system invariably RH.
Interpretation to table 2: Exposure to sex education for the students shows 81% to have
access to sex education while 19% have no exposure to sex education. This shows that sex
education is been provided to the students. This doesn’t determine where or how they have
access to sex education.
Interpretation to table 3: This table shows the person or source of sexual and reproductive
health issues which includes sex education. 2% said they are most comfortable discussing
sexual and reproductive health with their father while 59% said they are comfortable
discussing same with their mother. This bodes well as 61% of the information received by the
student by reason of discussion comes from the home but table 4 shows an alarming sign.
Bear in mind 49% of the students find it most comfortable discussing with either friends or
non-family members about sexual and reproductive health topics.
Interpretation to table 4: 100% said their source of knowledge relating to pregnancy comes
from schools, friends or the media while 0% comes from the home. This definitely does bode
too well for the issue table 3 addressed.
Interpretation to table 5: Knowledge of pregnancy complications, 52%say yes while 48%
say no. It is expected that the source covers all angles relating to sexual and reproductive
health so as to provide a comprehensive or total package of knowledge.
Interpretation to table 6: Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infections, 69% said yes to
have knowledge of STI while 31% said no to same.
Recommendation
1. Parent Teachers Association should encourage parents to do more in discussing
Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) issues in the homes so as to reduce the
amount of information on SRH that is received by the student from “uncontrolled”
sources
2. Schools should create a forum that allows peers interact with each other about SRH
3. Schools should take on the responsibility of availing the students with information on
SRH
4. The Government bodies in charge of education like the Ministry of Education,
Secondary Education Board etc should welcome and partner with CSOs in giving
quality and adequate information to young people on SRH.