Assessment of Sexual Knowledge, Perception and Practices among Secondary School Adolescents in Rural Community, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is characterized by experimentation into sexual activities. When adolescents leave home to reside in boarding secondary schools, peer pressure can result in voluntary and involuntary sexual activity even when they don't know about its immediate and long term health practices of adolescents in boarding secondary schools in a rural community, in Plateau State. effects. This survey aimed at assessing background sexuality knowledge, perception and

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1019 secondary school students sampled using proportionate sampling technique from three rural schools in Plateau State. Data obtained from them using self-administered questionnaires, were analyzed using EPI INFO version 3.5.3 and STATA 13. Chi square test and Multiple Logistic Regression were the statistical tests used and the p-value was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Majority of the students (57.7%) had good sexuality knowledge although 89.1% of them felt confident to refuse a sexual advance. There was a significant relationship between their sex and level of confidence. A high proportion of respondents (40.5%) were sexually active and there was an association between their sex and age of onset, and whether first sexual act was voluntary or not. The odds of an adolescent being sexually active are six times as likely if aged between 19-21years; and seven times as likely, if lacking self-confidence.

Conclusion: A high proportion of the students had good sexuality knowledge and was sexually active. There is need for proper sexuality education and life skills trainings from reliable sources for school-aged adolescents.