Qualitative Analysis of Adolescents’ Sexual Behaviour in Ogun State, Nigeria: Implication for HIV/AIDS Policy

Abstract

Combating HIV/AIDS globally, especially among young people is of economic and public health priority, as such, special focus has been given to it in the Millennium Development Goals. This study was designed to analyze adolescents’ sexual behaviour among secondary school students in Sagamu-Remo, Ogun state, Nigeria. Using purposive selection, Remo Divisional High School (coded R1) and Remo Secondary School (coded R2) selected and 400 students were randomly selected from each school to participate in the study. Data collection was done using structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Mean age, for respondents’ in R1 and R2 groups respectively, were 15.22±1.78 and 15.54±1.46. Although about 80% of the respondents were not yet sexually experienced as at time of survey, however, 29% male and 11% female have had sex. About 14% (male) and 6% (female) did not use condom during last coitus. Most of the sexually active respondents had their first sexual experience at ages 14 (male) and 16 (female). The majority (93%) of the respondents have never been screened for HIV/AIDS despite their awareness of the existence of the virus. Further analysis showed none existence of coercion to sex among the respondents, however, low levels of confidence were reported for performing important sexual risk avoidance tasks particularly in the case of sexual abstinence (58% for R1 group and 63% for R2), ability to convince their partner with respect to condom usage (60% for R1 and 58% for R2) and refusing sexual demands from the opposite sex (47% for R1 and 53% for R2). The need to incorporate of HIV/AIDS education into the school curricular and co-curricular activities in the secondary school education policy is recommended.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Adolescents, Sexual behaviour, Nigeria.