Socio-demographic correlates of sexual behaviours iii: A cross sectional survey of adolescents in Imo state secondary schools

Nwoke E.A¹ and Okafor J.O²

¹Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

²Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra, State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author: E-mail: eunnynwoks@yahoo.com; Tel: (234) 8036775479

Accepted 28 November, 2012

Abstract

The study was designed to determine the socio- demographic correlates of sexual behaviours of adolescents in Imo State secondary schools, Nigeria. The objectives were to determine the influence of gender, environment and class levels on the sexual behaviours of the adolescents in Imo State secondary schools. A cross sectional survey design was used and sample size was 3360 (2.2%) adolescents. A structured, validated and reliable questionnaire (r = 0.79) and focus group discussion were used as the instruments for data collection. Data analysis was done using mean, z-test and ANOVA statistics. The result generally, showed that the average sexual behaviours of the adolescents were below the decision mean of 2.50 and as such the adolescents were said to be sexually inactive. In Imo State secondary schools, gender significantly influenced the sexual behaviours of the adolescents Z-cal 7.78, Z-tab 1.96, P<0.05. Environment significantly influenced their sexual behaviours Z-cal 5.92, Z-tab 1.96, P<0.05 and class level influenced the adolescents sexual behaviours significantly F-cal 3.00, F-tab 2.21 (P<0.05). The males and the rural adolescents (u 1.53 and u 1.50) respectively were more involved in sexual behaviours than the females and urban adolescents (u 1.42 and u 1.42) respectively. Of great worry is that uncontrolled adolescents sexual behaviour may expose them to sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies, illegal abortion and dropping out of school. Thus sex education should be intensified in these schools.

Keywords: Socio-Demographic, Correlates, Sexual, Behaviour, Adolescents, Secondary Schools.