Contextualizing the Role of Community Theatre in Controlling the Prevalence of Teenage Pregnancy

Abstract

In seeking dependable and effective change communication platforms for the control of prevalence teenage girl pregnancy in Nigeria, this study experiment and ascertain the efficacy of reliable Community Theatre as a tool. The problem of teenage girl pregnancy, despite several interventions to control prevalence, is regarded as a negative occurrence in recent times. This phenomenon could be considered a serious cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabric of Nigerian societies and predominantly in the rural communities where under-aged girls between thirteen (13) to nineteen (19) years become pregnant. This study focused on the prevalence of pregnancy among the teenage girls in Nigeria, taking into consideration the situation in the Nigerian rural community setting. The study experimented with Community Theatre channel after investigating the root-causes and effects of the problem in Ikot Inung community and Udiang Enem community of Akwa Ibom State. The study is primarily experimental in strategy/design, adopting descriptive approach as well. Data were gathered from primary sources through interviews, participatory observation and focus group discussions. Findings from the evaluation report reveal that the Community Theatre intervention tool under study was impactful, successful and result-oriented in controlling the prevalence of teenage girl pregnancy. The study concludes by proving the efficacy of Community Theatre in controlling the prevalence of teenage girl pregnancy in rural communities of Nigeria. With this achievement, the study recommends Community Theatre as an intervention tool for the creation of awareness in controlling the rate of teenage girl pregnancy in rural communities.