Factors Influencing Sexual Behavior among Female Adolescents in Onitsha, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The sexual health indices of the adolescents are very poor. This study ascertained the factors influencing the sexual behaviour among female adolescents in Onitsha, Anambra state, Nigeria. Method: This was a cross sectional design in which a total of 800 female adolescents were selected from secondary schools in the area using multistage sampling method; and also selected from a major market (for those who were not at school) in the same geographical area using cluster sampling technique. Data were collected from the respondents about socio-demographic profile, reproductive and sexual health knowledge, attitude, behavior, sources of sexual health information. Result: The highest proportion of students who had ever had sex was found among the 16 -17 years age group while the modal age group was 18 -19 years for non students. Also "not living with both parents" and poor family background, were markedly associated with increased likelihood to engage in sexual activity. Poverty level was particularly high among the non-student adolescents. Furthermore, wrong knowledge of fertile period, low risk perception of HIV and premarital, and use of condoms among the respondents were all significantly associated with increased chance to engage in sex. The student adolescents got sexuality information mainly from the teachers; as opposed to their non-student counterparts who had youth organization and friends as main sources. Conclusion: Family values, poverty alleviation, change of attitude through appropriate health and sexuality education especially targeting the non-student adolescents are highly recommended. Sexual negotiation skill, accessible formal education for all should be encouraged to create the right sexual behavior among the adolescent girls.

Contraceptive Use among Senior Secondary School Students in Abakaliki Metropolis, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

“…This may be explained by the collaboration of Ministries of Health and Education in sensitization of students using health workers and the inclusion of sexuality education in school curriculum in Ebonyi State. The finding is consistent with the report of a study conducted among secondary school students in Onitsha, Nigeria [21] and in other developing countries:-Ghana [22], Botswana [20] and Ethiopia [23]. However, contrary to our finding, a study among adolescents in Osun State, Nigeria reported that the most common source of information on contraception was chemist shops [24].…”

Sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in schools for people with disabilities

“…With regards to their various types of impairment, those with hearing disabilities were the majority (52.1%) followed by the visually impaired. In a similar studies conducted in parts of Nigeria among the same population group, it was found that the hearing impairment were also high [15, 16]. These findings were inconsistent with what was reported in the United States of America and in Europe where intellectual disabilities were found to be high [17, 18].…”

Effect of Early Sexual Debut on High School Completion in South Africa

“…Madise et al (2008) found a correlation between low SES and risky sexual behaviours such as casual sex and multiple partnering (Madise et al, 2007). Reporting on Nigeria, Udigwe et al (2014) found that poor women were more likely to engage in transactional sex relative to those from better-off households. They found that adolescents who experienced these shocks in their households Sexual debut and school completion in South Africa were more prone to debut sexually during the period of the income shock.…”

“…Dinkelman et al (2008) examined the effect of income shocks related to death, illness and job loss of household providers. Implicit in the understanding of this relationship is that low SES often results in low educational attainment and, by extension, limited earning and economic power (O'Sullivan et al, 2006;Udigwe, 2014): 'These factors will in turn lead to transactional sex in search of income, transgenerational sex or pursuit of multiple sexual partners' (Udigwe et al, 2014, p. 988). Reporting on Nigeria, Udigwe et al (2014) found that poor women were more likely to engage in transactional sex relative to those from better-off households.…”