This document summarizes a study on predictors of parent-child communication about sexual health issues among adolescents in Nigeria. The study used a nationally representative sample to examine factors associated with different levels of communication. Results found several demographic factors were associated with higher levels of communication, including older age, higher socioeconomic status, and religion. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS resources also predicted communication. The study suggests tailoring interventions by gender to improve parent-child discussion of sexual health.

1. Predictors of Parent-
Child Communication
among a Nationally
Representative Sample
in Nigeria
Katrina Berg, MA, PhD Student
Christina Sun, MS, PhD Student
Stella Babalola, PhD
© 2008, Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved.

2. Outline
• Introduction
• Background
• Aims
• Methods
• Results
• Future Directions
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3. Introduction
• Parent-Adolescent communication about sexual issues
• Various aspects
• Behavioral outcomes
• Timing
• Content of discussions
• Openness between parents and adolescents
• Factors associated with parents who speak to their children
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4. Parent-Adolescent Communication
• Positive effect on adolescent sexual behavior
• Condom use
• At first sex
• Consistent or more frequent
• Higher condom intention and self-efficacy
• Sexual initiation
• Timing of conversation
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5. Adolescent Sexual Behavior in Nigeria
• Sexual initiation
• More than 1/3 of adolescents engage in sex before the age
of 18 (DHS, 2003)
• Multiple Concurrent Partnerships
• Condom use
• 47% of men and 25% of women used a condom at last sex
(DHS, 2003)
• Discordance between condom knowledge and use
© 2008, Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved.

6. Parent-Adolescent Communication in Nigeria
• Communication with adolescents about sexual issues is
low
• Adolescents receive more information from peers
© 2008, Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved.

7. Research Aims
• Research Question 1: What individual factors are
associated with parents who engage in parent-adolescent
communication about sexual issues?
• Research Question 2: What are the gender trends
regarding parent-adolescent communication about sexual
issues, if any, that are apparent between parents and their
adolescents?
© 2008, Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved.

8. Methods
• National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey, 2007
• Sample: 25 to 64 year-old parents with at least one child
over the age of 12
• Outcome variable: Level of parent-adolescent
communication
• Low
• Medium
• High
• Independent variables
• Sociodemographic variables
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9. Sample Characteristics
Men Women
n % n %
Low 619 46.23 609 48.56
Medium 240 17.92 230 18.34
High 480 35.85 415 33.09
© 2008, Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved.

10. Sociodemographic Predictors
Men Women
Medium High Medium High
Age 1.15*** 1.38*** 1.54***
Religion 2.04*** 1.61**
Medium SES 1.93**
High SES 1.82** 2.32***
Polygamy 1.53**
Note. * p < .05. ** p < .01. *** p < .001
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11. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Norm
Predictors
Men Women
Medium High Medium High
STI in women 2.03**
STI in men
Knowledge HIV/AIDS 1.11**
AIDS resource 1.83* 1.88*** 2.24*** 1.56**
Stigma
Attitudes Patriarchic 1.05** 1.09***
Male condom use 1.11* 1.12**
Fem. condom use
Norms
AIDS open 1.76**
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12. Discussion
• Segment interventions by gender
• Challenge the importance of factual information
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS resources
• Strengths
• Limitations
• Future directions
• Research needs
© 2008, Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved.