Journal of Education and Practice ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper ISSN 2222-2!!" (#nline $ol.%& No.

25& 2'13

www.iiste.org

Strategies for Enhancing Healthy Sexual Behaviour among Secondary School Adolescents in Nsukka Education Zone of Enugu State Nigeria
)ssociate. Prof. Joac*i+ ,. #+e-e. & /illicient N. E0wue+e& 1estus ). 2gwu 3epart+ent of Educational 1oundations& 2ni4ersit5 of Nigeria& Nsu00a .E+ail6 -oac*i+o+e-e75a*oo.co.u0 Abstract 8*e stud5 in4estigated strategies for en*ancing *ealt* se9ual :e*a4iour a+ong secondar5 sc*ool adolescents in Nsu00a Education ;one of Enugu State. 8wo researc* <uestions and a *5pot*esis guided t*e stud5. 8*e su:-ects of t*e stud5 was 1=' secondar5 sc*ool adolescent students. 8*e instru+ent for data collection was <uestionnaire. /ean score and t-test statistics were used for data anal5sis. >esults s*ow t*at adolescents *ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours would :e en*anced t*roug* e+ulating *ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours of parents& not watc*ing pornograp*ic fil+s a+ong ot*ers. 8*e result of t*e stud5 also i+plicated factors suc* as increase in t*e rate of a:ortions a+ong adolescent girls& increase in t*e spread of se9ual trans+itted diseases a+ong ot*ers as conse<uences of adolescents? un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours. 8*e i+plications of t*e findings were *ig*lig*ted and reco++endations e<uall5 +ade. Keywords Strategies& *ealt*5& se9ual :e*a4ior& adolescents !" #ntroduction In t*e da5s of our forefat*ers? +oral standard is a 4irtue w*ic* e4er5:od5 <uest for. 8oda5& t*e +oral legac5 of our forefat*ers *as :een eroded :5 western culture. Ja+es (2''% & regretted t*at w*at we used to 0now a:out 4irtue& +oralit5 and respect is fast fading awa5 a+ong 5out* (adolescents in t*e societ5. )dolescents are 5oung people w*5 are de4eloping fro+ c*ild*ood into adult*ood& usuall5 :etween t*e ages of 13 and 1!. )dolescent as noted :5 3ale (2'1' is a 5oungster& 5oung person& a teenager. )dolescence on its own is a period and a ti+e in one?s life ti+e w*en *e or s*e de4elops fro+ a c*ild into an adult. )dolescence periods is usuall5 :etween t*e ages of 1( and 1!& *owe4er t*e age range +a5 4ar5 fro+ place to place. @ole+an (2''5 is of t*e 4iew t*at countries& cultures and tradition want w*at is :est for t*eir 5oung generation and adolescence +a5 :e 4iewed differentl5 fro+ one co++unit5 or culture to t*e ne9t. 8*e period of adolescent is e9citing and :ewilding. It :rings lots of de4elop+ental c*anges and pro:le+s. /an5 parents see+ to :e unaware of t*eir adolescents? e+otional& p*5sical and social needs as to appreciate t*e c*allenge and ad-ust+ents t*e5 undergo. It is a period of stress and stor+. 8*e ina:ilit5 of :ot* t*e adolescents and significant adults to *andle t*ese stor+s lead t*e+ to eit*er *ealt*5 or un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours. I:e (2''' opined t*at sudden c*anges adolescents e9perience could lead to ris05 se9ual :e*a4iours if not well guided :5 t*e adults. Se9ual :e*a4iours refers to all se9ual actions and responses related to pleasure see0ing. ):a* and Ec*odu (2''% refers to it as one?s a:ilit5 to e9perience or e9press se9ual feelings. )ccording to E5o (2''% se9ual :e*a4iour refers to t*e total action of indi4iduals in *andling t*eir se9ual i+pulses& t*at is t*e notion of e9pressing it as a +ale or fe+ale and *ow to li4e wit* it. Se9ual :e*a4iour could :e *ealt*5 or un*ealt*5. 2n*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4ior is an5 se9ual acti4it5 t*at increases t*e ris0 of unwanted pregnanc5& contracting Au+an I++une-3eficienc5 4irus (AI$ or ot*er se9uall5 trans+itted infections (S8Is . Aig*lig*tening on t*e pre4alence of teenage pregnanc5 as ris05 se9ual :e*a4iour& )0in5e+i& (2''7 sa5s t*at Bt*e pre4alence of teenage pregnanc5 in an5 gi4en societ5 leads to *ig* le4el illiterac5C. 2n*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iour also includes earl5 se9ual de:ut& unprotected se9ual acti4it5& inconsistent use of condo+s& *ig* ris0 partners or in-ection& drug users& se9 wit* a person w*o *as +ultiple se9 partners& sur4i4al se9& ot*erwise regarded as se9 in e9c*ange for +one5& drugs& food or s*elter. 8*e conse<uence of un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iour is t*at it increases t*e li0eli*ood of contracting se9uall5 trans+itted infections. 8*e ris0 of unplanned pregnanc5 also increases wit* fre<uenc5 of non protected se9ual intercourse and in so+e cases e4en deat*. )n5 se9ual :e*a4iour t*at is planned& done wit* caution and respect li0e one acted out :etween life partners for instance could :e regarded as a *ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iour. Disdo+ (2''= presented t*at *ig* sc*ool adolescents aged :etween 12 and 1= are alread5 in se9ual relations*ip in t*eir effort to e9press se9ual feelings. 8*is is an un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iour *owe4er Essien presented also t*at t*ere was e9tensi4e se9ual awareness a+ong adolescent and t*at t*ere was no difference :etween ur:an and rural adolescents. Stressing furt*er& Disdo+ suggested so+e +easures of en*ancing *ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iour a+ong secondar5 sc*ool adolescents suc* as passing rele4ant infor+ation on se9ual issues during +orning asse+:l5& (1

Journal of Education and Practice ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper ISSN 2222-2!!" (#nline $ol.%& No.25& 2'13

www.iiste.org

discouraging t*e+ fro+ watc*ing pornograp*ic and :ad fil+s and pasting pictures on :ulletin :oard to s*ow t*e da+aging effect of un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iour. D*et*er t*ese will e<uall5 fit-in wit*in t*e area of t*e present stud5 need to :e e+piricall5 docu+ented 8oda5 in our societ5& +o4ies and tele4ision progra++es usuall5 lead t*e 5oung +inds of adolescents into e+otional state t*at e4entuall5 c*anges t*eir :e*a4iours into e9peri+enting w*at t*e5 *a4e watc*ed wit* little or no 0nowledge of t*e ris0 in4ol4ed. 2n*ealt*5 as it +a5& not +uc* researc* wor0s :as :een carried out to en*ance adolescents 0nowledge of *ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iour and t*eir concentration in pursuance of wort*w*ile goal is seriousl5 at ris0. 8*us t*e <uestions& w*at are t*e conse<uences of un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours and w*at are wa5s of en*ancing *ealt* se9ual :e*a4iours a+ong adolescentsE Pre+ised on t*is& t*e present stud5 is faced wit* t*e pro:le+ of ascertaining t*e strategies for en*ancing *ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours a+ong secondar5 sc*ool adolescents in Nsu00a Education ;one of Enugu State. $" %esearch &uestions 8*is stud5 is guided :5 two researc* <uestions6 1. D*at are t*e conse<uences of adolescents? un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4ioursE 2. D*at are t*e strategies for en*ancing *ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours a+ong adolescentsE '" Hy(otheses ) *5pot*esis guided t*is stud5. 8*ere is no significant difference :etween t*e +ean responses of ur:an and rural adolescents on conse<uences of un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iour. )" *ethod 3escripti4e sur4e5 design was e+plo5ed for t*e stud5. 8*e stud5 was conducted in Nsu00a education Fone of Enugu State. 8*e population of t*e stud5 co+prised of 5&2'' students& +ade up of all t*e senior secondar5 sc*ool students in SS II and III (PPS/G& Nsu00a education Fone& 2'13 . Stratified rando+ sa+pling was used to select two sc*ools fro+ t*e t*ree local go4ern+ent areas t*at +ade up t*e education Fone. 1ro+ t*ese two sc*ools& 1=' students e+erged as respondents t*roug* t*e use of si+ple rando+ sa+pling tec*ni<ue. Instru+ent used for data collection was a <uestionnaire called 2n*ealt*5 Se9ual Ge*a4iour Huestionnaire. It *as two sections wit* section ) w*ic* soug*t for personal data infor+ation of t*e participants& w*ile section G w*ic* contained 12 ite+s and :uilt on a Ii0ert t5pe scale +easure of fi4e point rating responses. 8*is section soug*t for infor+ation on t*e conse<uences of adolescents un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours and strategies for en*ancing *ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours a+ong adolescents in Nsu00a education Fone. It *as two clusters and t*e face 4alidit5 was deter+ined :5 gi4ing draft copies to t*ree e9perts in facult5 of education& 2ni4ersit5 of Nigeria& Nsu00a. #ne e9pert eac* fro+ +easure+ent and e4aluation guidance and counseling and educational ps5c*olog5 respecti4el5. 8*e relia:ilit5 of t*e instru+ent was deter+ined in a preli+inar5 trial-testing a+ong 3' SS II and SS III students in #:ollo-)for Education ;one using Juder->ic*ardson 21 relia:ilit5 co-efficient. 8*e Juder->ic*ardson 21 was co+puted :ased on cluster ) and G. 8*e a4erage relia:ilit5 co-efficient of t*e internal consistenc5 was '.7(. ,opies of t*e instru+ent were self-ad+inistered using t*ree researc* assistants. /ean score was used to anal5Fe t*e researc* <uestions w*ile t*e onl5 *5pot*esis t*at guided t*e stud5 was anal5Fed using t-test statistics. +" %esults *ean %es(onses on the ,onse-uences of Adolescents. /nhealthy Sexual Behaviours" 1ro+ ta:le 1& t*e +a-or conse<uence of adolescents? un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours is unwanted pregnancies a+ong adolescents. 8*is is :ecause it *as t*e *ig*est +ean (" score of 3.7!. )lso ot*er ite+s as s*own on t*e ta:le suc* as increase in spread of se9uall5 trans+itted disease& increase in deat* rates& and increase in rate of a:ortion a+ong fe+ale adolescents are all conse<uences of un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iour. *ean %es(onses on the Strategies for Enhancing Healthy Sexual Behaviours among Adolescents. Infor+ation fro+ ta:le 2 s*ows t*at all t*e ite+s *a4e a grand +ean (" score of 3.17& w*ic* is a:o4e t*e acceptance cut-off point of 2.5'. ,onclusion drawn is t*at adolescents? *ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours would :e en*anced t*roug* passing rele4ant infor+ation on se9ual issues during +orning asse+:l5& e+ulating *ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours of parents& not watc*ing pornograp*ic and :ad fil+s& a+ong ot*ers. 0he t1test Statistical Analysis for the Significant 2ifferences between the *ean %atings of /rban and %ural Adolescents on conse-uences of /nhealthy Sexual Behaviours" 3ata on ta:le 3 s*ows t*e +ean for ur:an as 2.!2 and t*at of rural as 2.=!. 8*e data were furt*er su:-ected to ttest anal5sis in order to ascertain w*et*er t*ere was an5 significant difference :etween t*e ratings of t*e two groups. 8*e result s*ows t*at significant difference was not found :etween t*eir rating as it concerns t*e

(2

Journal of Education and Practice ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper ISSN 2222-2!!" (#nline $ol.%& No.25& 2'13

www.iiste.org

adolescents in ur:an and rural areas as regards conse<uences of un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours. 8*is conclusion was drawn :ased on t*e result w*ere t*e t- calculated (1.52 did not e9ceed t-critical (1.=5 & t*ere:5 leading to t*e acceptance of t*e null *5pot*esis. 3" 2iscussion 8*e stud5 was guided :5 two researc* <uestions and a *5pot*esis& w*ic* focused on t*e conse<uences of un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours a+ong adolescents& strategies for en*ancing *ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours a+ong adolescents and differences in ur:an and rural adolescents on w*at constitutes un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours a+ong adolescents. 1indings fro+ t*e stud5 s*owed t*at so+e conse<uences t*at could result fro+ t*e adolescents un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours include unwanted pregnancies& increase in t*e rate of a:ortion a+ong fe+ale adolescents& increase in t*e spread of se9ual trans+itted diseases (S83s a+ong. 8*is infers t*at rec0less se9ual acts or :e*a4iours a+ong secondar5 sc*ool adolescents in Nsu00a Education ;one of Enugu State is dangerous. 8*e finding is in line wit* I:e (2''' w*o noted t*at %'-75K of adolescents w*o engage in un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iour are +ore li0el5 to get unwanted pregnancies. 8*e result of t*e stud5 also indicated t*at t*e strategies for en*ancing *ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours a+ong adolescents include passing rele4ant infor+ation on se9ual issues during +orning asse+:l5& e+ulating *ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours of t*eir parents& including se9 education in t*e sc*ool curriculu+ a+ong ot*ers. 8*ese strategies were accepted :5 t*e respondents in effort to address un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours a+ong adolescents. #0e0e (2''= state t*at counselors *a4e t*e c*allenge of passing 4alid infor+ation to t*e adolescents concerning se9ual +atters as t*ese rele4ant infor+ation are capa:le of replacing adolescents +isconceptions a:out se9. 1inall5 t*e result s*owed t*at significant difference was not found :etween t*eir +ean ratings as concerns rural and ur:an adolescent secondar5 sc*ool students in Nsu00a Education ;one on conse<uences of un*ealt*5 :e*a4ior. 4" ,onclusion and %ecommendations" It is i+portant to note t*at *ow adolescents ad-ust to se9ual :e*a4iours is i+portant for t*eir future. It is e<uall5 i+portant t*at parents& counsellors& teac*ers and care-gi4ers adopt open discussions and education on se9ual and reproducti4e issues +ostl5 for our adolescents. 8*e i+plication of t*e findings of t*is stud5 is t*at parents and all t*ose in4ol4ed in education enterprise s*ould e+:race t*e findings and i+part appropriate se9 infor+ation to t*e adolescents in order to discourage t*eir wrong conceptions a:out se9ual +atters w*ic* t*e5 got fro+ t*eir constant interaction wit* peers. 8*is i+plies t*at parents& teac*ers& care-gi4ers and counselors e4en social wor0ers *a4e lots of roles to pla5 so as to en*ance desira:le se9ual :e*a4iours a+ong adolescents especiall5 in Nsu00a education ;one. E<uall5& t*ere was no significant difference in +ean rating of rural and ur:an adolescent students wit* regards to conse<uences of un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iour. 8*is was indicated :5 t*e result of t*e *5pot*esis t*at guided t*e stud5. 8*e present stud5 was li+ited :5 ina:ilit5 of t*e participants to coorperate at t*e initial state. It was onl5 wit* +uc* pressure and con4iction t*at t*e5 responded to t*e <uestionnaire. 1urt*er+ore t*e result could *a4e :een :etter different if +uc* awareness on se9ual issues were created a+ong t*e adolescents :efore t*e stud5 was carried out. 8*e researc*ers t*en suggest suc* area for furt*er researc*. 1inall5& in accordance wit* t*e result of t*e stud5 it is reco++ended t*at +edia *ouse progra++e :e reorganiFed in a +anner t*at e+:races educati4e and +oral progra++e for adolescents to learn *ealt*5 wa5s of li4ing. It is also reco++ended t*at a well-articulated curriculu+ for secondar5 sc*ool education :e +ade to focus on se9ual feelings& se9ual ter+s& se9ual de4iations& se9uall5 trans+itted infections and t*eir da+aging effects. %E5E%EN,ES ):a*& J.#. and Ec*odo& ,.#. (2''% Patterns of se9ual :e*a4iour and use of condo+ a+ong students of college of education #su& GenueStateUnpublished B.Ed Thesis, 1acult5 of Education& 2ni4ersit5 of Nigeria& Nsu00a. )0in5e+i& >. (2''7 . >esearc* +et*odolog5 on :ased 4iolence and discri+ination pre4alence in )-ero+iIfelodune council area. 8*e nation on Sunda5 (Septe+:er& 2 P 3!. 3ale& ,. (2'1' . Sexual behaviour Das*ington State 3epart+ent of Aealt*. E5o& /. (2''% . Virginity6 8*e pride of Do+an*ood. Jano$idan3a:ino Pu:lis*ers. Ja+es (2''% . Echoes of the Youth. ) /aiden Pu:lication of ;one Si9-Lout* /agaFine St. )nt*on5?s ,at*olic ,*urc* 2ro+i Edo State. #0e0e& /.N. (2''= . ) stud5 of se9ual problems of in school adolescents in !"erri urban of #mo state unpublished $.EdThesis2ni4ersit5 of Nigeria& Nsu00a. Disdo+& ,./. (2''= . 8*e effect of c*ildren on parents. 2nd ed. Ging*a+ton N. L6 Aawort* Press.

(3

Journal of Education and Practice ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper ISSN 2222-2!!" (#nline $ol.%& No.25& 2'13

www.iiste.org

Joac*i+ .,. #+e-e G.E.3& /.E.3 and P*.3. (Nigeria )ssociate Professor of @uidance and ,ounseling 2ni4ersit5 of Nigeria& Nsu00a. Joac*i+ teac*es undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Educational @uidance and ,ounseling& Super4ises :ot* undergraduate and postgraduate t*eses in t*e 3epart+ent of Education 1oundations& 2ni4ersit5 of Nigeria& Nsu00a. Joac*i+ organiFes wor0s*op& se+inars and conferences& and articulates researc* proposals t*at *a4e funding pro-ects& functions as a professional in education in planning& producing and or i+ple+enting educational researc* pro-ects& e4aluation and :oo0 de4elop+ent initiati4es. Joac*i+?s researc* interest spans a wide range of Education& social and En4iron+ental issues in t*e areas of Education and 3e4elop+ent& Au+an Se9ualit5& ,ounseling& @enders& ,ultural Issues& 1a+il5 and )dolescence. Joac*i+?s Educational :ac0ground is t*is6 2ni4ersit5 of Nigeria& Nsu00a-G.E.3 @uidance and ,ounseling 1((2. 2ni4ersit5 of Nigeria& Nsu00a-/.E.3 @uidance and ,ounseling 1((= 2ni4ersit5 of Nigeria& Nsu00a-P*3 @uidance and ,ounseling 2''' Petronillaand /illicientare postgraduate students in t*e depart+ent of Educational 1oundations& 1acult5 of Education 2ni4ersit5 of Nigeria& Nsu00a. 8*eir researc* interest is in t*e area of adolescence de4elop+ent. 0ables 0able ! *ean %es(onses on the ,onse-uences of Adolescents. /nhealthy Sexual Behaviours" SMN Ite+s 3escription /ean (" unwanted pregnancies a+ong adolescents ! '"46 Societ5 disassociation wit* indi4iduals t*at engage in un*ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours $ $"') 3e4elop+ent of low self-estee+ in adolescents ' $"64 Increasing t*e spread of se9uall5 trans+itted diseases (S83s ) '"47 increasing deat* rates a+ong adolescents + '"!4 increasing t*e rate of a:ortions a+ong fe+ale adolescents 3 '"3$ 0otal !8")6 @rand /ean '"$+

0able $ SMN ! $ ' ) + 3

*ean %es(onses on the Strategies for Enhancing Healthy Sexual Behaviours among Adolescents. Ite+s 3escription /ean " Passing rele4ant infor+ation on se9ual issues during +orning asse+:l5 '"!8 )dolescents e+ulating *ealt*5 se9ual :e*a4iours of t*eir parents '"76 Stopping adolescents fro+ watc*ing pornograp*ic and :ad fil+s '")$ Pasting p*otograp*s on :ulletin :oard t*at s*ow t*e da+aging effects of un*ealt*5 '"73 se9ual :e*a4iours )4oiding :ad co++ents li0e B5ou prostituteC on adolescents :5 parents and teac*ers $"8) Including se9 education in sc*ool curriculu+ '"'7 8otal !6"88 9rand mean '"!4

0able ' 0he t1test Statistical Analysis for the Significant 2ifferences between the *ean %atings of /rban and %ural Adolescents on conse-uences of /nhealthy Sexual Behaviours" @roup " S3 No df t-cal t-crit Ie4el 3ecision 2r:an 2.!2 1.12(1 1%1 2(! 152 1.=5 '.'5 )ccepted >ural 2.=! 1.1531 15(

(%

This academic article was published by The International Institute for Science, Technology and Education (IISTE). The IISTE is a pioneer in the Open Access Publishing service based in the U.S. and Europe. The aim of the institute is Accelerating Global Knowledge Sharing. More information about the publisher can be found in the IISTEs homepage: http://www.iiste.org CALL FOR JOURNAL PAPERS The IISTE is currently hosting more than 30 peer-reviewed academic journals and collaborating with academic institutions around the world. Theres no deadline for submission. Prospective authors of IISTE journals can find the submission instruction on the following page: http://www.iiste.org/journals/ The IISTE editorial team promises to the review and publish all the qualified submissions in a fast manner. All the journals articles are available online to the readers all over the world without financial, legal, or technical barriers other than those inseparable from gaining access to the internet itself. Printed version of the journals is also available upon request of readers and authors. MORE RESOURCES Book publication information: http://www.iiste.org/book/ Recent conferences: http://www.iiste.org/conference/ IISTE Knowledge Sharing Partners EBSCO, Index Copernicus, Ulrich's Periodicals Directory, JournalTOCS, PKP Open Archives Harvester, Bielefeld Academic Search Engine, Elektronische Zeitschriftenbibliothek EZB, Open J-Gate, OCLC WorldCat, Universe Digtial Library , NewJour, Google Scholar