Communication Intervention Programmes on Knowledge of ‘Baby Factory’ Phenomenon among in-School Adolescents in South-East Nigeria

Abstract

Media reports have indicated that “Baby factory” activity in Nigeria which is the harbouring of girls with unwanted pregnancies, and the sell of the babies are emerging as an important social phenomenon with serious negative impact on health and development of adolescents. The study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of two sets of communication interventions on the knowledge towards baby factory phenomenon among in-school adolescents in South-East Nigeria. The study was quasi-experimental with three intervention groups and a control. Key- Informant Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were initially conducted to determine the perspectives of the target group and officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs on baby factory phenomenon to facilitate the design of the communication messages and instrument for evaluating the study outcome. Two communication intervention programmes audio-recorded and print messages) were developed and implemented. The study findings revealed that the communication intervention programmes on ‘baby factory’ activities designed, empowered and moved teenagers from at risk position to knowledge-equipped position. The study further recommended that, the state government through the Ministry of Women Affairs should have more focused communication intervention programme in secondary schools to educate students who are most vulnerable to this phenomenon.

Keywords: Adolescents, baby factory phenomenon, communication intervention programme, knowledge, media