ABSTRACT
This study was designed to determine the socio-demographic
correlates of perceived sexual behaviours of adolescents in Imo State. The
statement of problem is the increase in risky sexual behaviours of adolescents
and inherent dangers of unplanned pregnancy, dropping out of school, unsafe
abortion and sexually transmitted infections/HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, no
empirical data was identified in Imo State hence the motivation to determine
the socio-demographic variables that influence the level of sexual behaviours
of adolescents in Imo State. The study was guided by 11 purposes, 11 research
questions and 11 hypotheses. A cross sectional survey research design was used
for the study. Sample size was 3360 (2.2%) adolescents drawn from a population
of 153586 adolescents. A structured, validated and reliable questionnaire (r =
0.77) was used as the instrument for data collection. Data analysis was done
using mean for research questions, ANOVA and Z-test statistics were used to
test the hypotheses. The result showed that in Imo State Secondary Schools, the
sexual behaviours of the older adolescents ( x = 2.60) were
significantly higher than those of the younger adolescents ( x = 1.41),
P < 0.05. The males had higher levels of sexual behaviours (x =1.53) than the
females (x = 1.44), P < 0.05. There were significant differences among
adolescents in classes JSS1 to SS3 in terms of their levels of sexual
behaviours with SS3 ranking highest followed by SS2 and SS1. The rural adolescents’
level of sexual behaviour ( x = 1.51) was higher than that of the urban
adolescents (x = 1.43). Furthermore, there were no significant differences
among adolescents of different family sizes in terms of their levels of sexual
behaviours, P > 0.05. There were significant differences among adolescents of
different family structures, financial strengths, and religious beliefs, P <
0.05. Furthermore, there were significant differences among adolescents with
various ages at first sexual intercourse in terms of their levels of sexual
behaviours. Finally, there was a significant difference in the levels of sexual
behaviours of the adolescents who used alcohol (x =2.60) and those
who did not use alcohol (x =1.78) as well as adolescents who used illegal drugs
( x = 1.68) and those who did not use illegal drugs (x = 1.50). Based on the
above findings, conclusions were drawn and recommendations made.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background
of the Study
Sexual
behaviour is a form of physical intimacy that may be directed to reproduction
(one possible goal of sexual intercourse), spiritual transcendence, and/or the
enjoyment of any activity involving sexual gratification (Wikipedia, 2005).
Behaviour refers to the actions or reactions of an object or organism usually
in relation to the environment (Wikipaedia, 2006). It was further noted that
behaviour can be conscious or unconscious, overt or covert, and voluntary or
involuntary. Human behaviour is the most basic human action and can be common,
unusual, acceptable and unacceptable.
Health South
Australia (2009) stated various types of sexual behaviour as follows,
abstinence, masturbation, coitus, anal sex, oral sex, prostitution,
transvestism (use of clothing of opposite sex for sexual gratification) and
transsexualism (a disorder of gender identity in which the individual wishes to
be or feels that he or she is a member of the opposite sex). This study will
concentrate on sexual behaviours that could result to sexually transmitted
infections.
The term
adolescence comes from the Latin verb adolescere, which means “to grow up” or
“to grow to maturity. It means somewhat more than the physiological development
implied by the original Latin verb (Dusek, 1977). Adolescence
is the bridge between childhood and adulthood. Dusek further noted that it is
the transition from childhood to adulthood, the stage in which the individual
is required to adapt and adjust childhood behaviours to the adult forms that
are considered acceptable in his or her culture.
Decey and
Kenny (1994) in their explanation of adolescents are of the view that
adolescents’ fall within the age range of 10 to 19 years. World Health
Organization (WHO) (2003) defined adolescence both in terms of age (spanning
the ages of 10 to 19 years) and in terms of phase of life by special
attributes. These attributes include rapid physical growth and development,
physiological, social and psychological maturity, but not all at the same time.
According to WHO (2003), there is Sexual maturity and the onset of sexual activity,
experimentation, development of adult mental process and adult identity as well
as transition from total socio-economic dependence to relative independence.
WHO/United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)/United Nations
Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (1989) are of the view that adolescence is the period
between childhood and adulthood and includes those between 10 and 19 years.
According to
Wikipedia (2005), correlate is a causal, complementary, parallel, or reciprocal
relationship, especially a structural, functional or quality correspondence
between two comparable entities; for example, a
correlation between drug abuse and crime. Wikipedia further noted that it is
used to predict the value of one variable given the value of the other.
Houghton (2007) stated that correlate is to put or bring into causal,
complementary, parallel or reciprocal relation and further noted that in brief,
it is to put in or have some relation or connection. Furthermore, correlate was
defined as causal, complementary, parallel, or reciprocal relationship and was
explained as being connected either logically or causally or by shared
characteristics or either of two interrelated things, especially if one implies
the other (Houghton, 1995; Webster, 2009 & Martin, 2009).
Flay (2002)
stated that all behaviours, not just problem behaviours, are related to each
other. They are correlated and they also cause each other. Brian, Flay, Dphil,
FSBM, and FAAHB (2002) pointed out that the linkages between alcohol or drug
use and both violence and sexual behaviour among adolescents were clear. The
authors further noted that about a third of the youth that committed serious
crimes consumed alcohol just before the offense. The authors further pointed
out that more than 70 per cent of teen suicides involved frequent use of
alcohol or drugs and nearly 40 per cent of drowning involved the use of
alcohol. Studies have shown that alcohol and drug use were the best predictors
of early sexual activity and were associated with more unplanned pregnancies,
more sexually transmitted diseases, more HIV infections, and greater school
dropout than any other factor (Code, 1992; HHS Youth & Alcohol, 1992; Reis
& Roth, 1993; Eron, Gentry & Schlegel, 1994; Levine & Rosich, 1996;
Healthy Youth, 2000; & Poulin & Graham, 2001).
Sharma
(2003) reported that adolescents practice a wide variety of sexual behaviours.
The commonest of them is masturbation. Mutual masturbation among same sex
adolescents is also common. Other forms of sexual behaviour include necking and
petting, which are physical contacts in an attempt to produce erotic arousals
without sexual intercourse. Sometimes petting and necking can also lead to
orgasm. Heterosexual intercourse, lesbianism and homosexual relations are some
other forms of sexual behaviour practiced by some adolescents (Sharma, 2003).
Sharma further noted that among the sexually active adolescents one may observe
that many have single partners; others have multiple partners at a time. Many
adolescents, according to Sharma, entered into a sporadic sexual activity and
then kept away from sex while others indulged in sexual activities regularly.
Sharma (2003) further stated that one can rightly say that information about
safer-sex practice and its usage is far below optimum levels among sexually
active adolescents.
Obiajuru
(2000) observed that some adolescents were exposed to sexual risk behaviours
like having casual sex with unknown partners, having multiple sex partners,
anal sex, oral sex, non compliance to the use of condom during sexual
intercourse, homosexuality and lesbianism. Among all these also are the
watching of pornographic films, collecting money in exchange for sex and having
group sex. Doedens (2000); FMOH (2001); Garofalo, Cameron, Wolf, kessel, and
Durant (1998) & Sharma (2003) noted that there is alarming increase of
exposure to risky sexual behaviours among the adolescents not considering the
consequences like pregnancy, abortion, STIs including HIV/AIDS.
Infections
transmitted from one person to another through sexual intercourse are referred
to as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Sexually transmitted infections
constitute a serious and sometimes deadly group of infectious diseases
especially Human Immune Virus /Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
In an
uninformed or a deviant in sexual behaviour, there are two undesirable
consequences such as disease and/or pregnancy (Hanlon & Pickett, 1979). The
authors further reported that the present epidemic of STIs among adolescents is
of serious dimensions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2002) stated
that the number of conception in unmarried female adolescents is unknown. It is
estimated that each year approximately 10 per cent of all adolescent girls
become pregnant, the majority out of wedlock. The Center for Disease Control
and Prevention further reported more than 300,000 teenage abortions in 1976 and
about 600,000 pregnancies that were
carried to term in the United States of America.
Slap, Lot,
Huang, Daniyam, Zink, and Succop (2003) observed that family polygamy and lower
educational level of parents were associated with increased sexual activity
among adolescents. The proportions of students reporting sexual activity were
42.3 per cent in students from polygamous families and 27.5 per cent in
students from monogamous families (Slap et al., 2003). United Nations programme
on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (UNAIDS) and WHO (2000) reported that
Nigeria’s birth rate for adolescents is one of the highest in the world and the
prevalence among female adolescents in Nigeria of STIs including HIV, is
climbing rapidly.
Nigerian
Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) (1990) reported that the median age at
first sexual intercourse was 16.6years while about one third of the women had
their first sexual intercourse at the age of 15years. In an effort to reduce
its high maternal and infant mortality and higher rate of sexually transmitted
infections and dropout from school, Nigeria developed a National Reproductive
Health Policy in 2000 that focuses on preventing risky sexual behaviours during
adolescence.
The
programme, according to UNAIDS and WHO (2000), has been hampered by outdated
and incomplete information on the sexual knowledge, attitudes and
behaviours of the adolescents in Nigeria. The importance of clarifying needs
before intervening is highlighted by the recent evaluation of sex education
intervention in Nigeria and Ghana (Brieger, Delano, Lane, Oladepo &
Oyediran, 2001). The evaluation showed that the programme was effective for
young people in school but not for young people out of school because of
differences in sexual experience and knowledge. Sexual activity was less common
among female than male students, less common among female students attending
female only boarding schools than other schools, 7.7 per cent versus 24.3 per
cent and less common among students living in urban than in rural locations.
Allan Guttmacher Institute (2001) and Kirby (2001) reported that the sexual
health needs of young people in Nigeria are high, as evidenced by the
prevalence of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.
Temin, Okonofua, Omorodion, Renne, Coplan, Heggenhougen
et al. (1999) observed that students noted that having multiple
partners and engaging in unprotected sex with unknown partners were high risk
behaviours but did not acknowledge the potential health risks of sexual
intercourse with a regular known partner. Temin et al. further observed that
the adolescents’ perception of risk does not necessarily translate into safe
behaviour. Regardless about risks, students described attitudes that discourage safe sexual
behaviour and there was also low utilization of reproductive health services
(Temin et al., 1999).
From the
above background, it becomes obvious that some adolescents take for granted
their high-risk sexual behaviours in relation to high prevalence of STIs. The
trend and consequences of adolescents’ exposure to sexual risk behaviours have
raised crisis among the adolescents. Efforts being made to curb the sexual
revolution and these risky sexual behaviours seem to yield little positive
result. It is on the basis of the above that this research work has been
designed to find out the socio-demographic correlates of sexual behaviours of
the adolescents in Imo State.
Statement
of the Problem
The ideal sexual behaviour of
the adolescents should be sexual abstinence, safe sex practice, and avoidance
of illegal drugs and alcohol which influence sexual behaviours, but this
appears not to be the practice. There is rising incidence of exposure to sexual
risk behaviours by the adolescents within the age range of 10-19 years (Doedens
2000, Sharma 2003, Temin et al; 1999).
Watney
(1987) stated that adolescents’ sexual activities were clearly not and never
had been without risks. There are inherent dangers of unplanned pregnancy,
dropping out of school, unsafe abortion and sexually transmitted infections/HIV/AIDS
which are the major implications of sexual risk behaviours considering the
grave consequences (Hadey, 1997; Nicholl, Catchpole, Cliff, Hughes, Simms &
Thomas, 1999). In view of the fact that the number of cases of STIs/HIV/AIDS have
been on the increase all over the world due to increased sexual activities
among the adolescents (Getcell, Pippin & Varnes, 1991); and Nigerian
government is also interested in controlling STIs/HIV/AIDS among adolescents
through the control of their sexual behaviours, Nigeria hence formulated the
National Reproductive Health Policy and Strategies to achieve quality
reproductive and sexual health for all Nigerians (FMOH, 2001). Unfortunately,
despite all these ongoing efforts, some adolescents still practice risky sexual
behaviours as they in the last decade (1980-89) have developed a widely held
sense that they are entitled to have sex (Williams, 1989).
There is
need therefore; to identify the socio-demographic correlates of perceived
sexual behaviours of the adolescents in order to formulate strategies to tackle
the problem from the root. However, data on socio-demographic variables
influencing the sexual behaviours of the adolescents exist in different parts
of the world and few are available in other geopolitical areas of Nigeria
(Temin et al., 1999; Anochie & Ikpeme, 2001; Ajuwon et al., 2001; Ibe &
Ikechebelu, 2002 & Ibe & Agu 2006 ). Unfortunately, no empirical data
has been identified in Imo state which has a different
socio-economic and cultural background with HIV/AIDS prevalence of 3.05 per
cent (Obiajuru & Ogbulie, 2007), hence the researcher was motivated to
identify the socio-demographic correlates of sexual behaviours of the
adolescents in Imo State. The problem of this study therefore, is the increase
in the risky sexual behaviours; birth rate; STIs/HIV/AIDS among the adolescents
and lack of empirical data on socio-demographic correlates of perceived sexual
behaviours of adolescents in Imo State.
Purpose
of the Study.
This
study was designed to determine the socio-demographic correlates of perceived
sexual behaviours of adolescents in Imo State secondary schools.
This
study was guided by the following specific purposes, namely, to determine the
levels of perceived
1.
sexual behaviours of the older and
younger adolescents in Imo State secondary schools.
2.
sexual behaviours of male and female
adolescents in Imo State secondary schools.
3.
sexual behaviours of adolescents in
classes JSSI to SS3 in Imo State secondary schools.
4.
sexual behaviours of the urban and
rural adolescents in Imo State secondary schools.
5.
sexual behaviours of adolescents
with different family sizes in Imo State secondary schools.
6.
sexual behaviours of adolescents
with different family structures in Imo State secondary schools.
7.
sexual behaviours of adolescents
with various ages at first sexual intercourse in Imo State secondary schools.
8.
sexual behaviours of adolescents
with different financial strengths in Imo State secondary schools.
9.
sexual behaviours of adolescents
with different religious belief in Imo State secondary schools.
10.
sexual behaviours of adolescents who
use alcohol and those who do not use alcohol in Imo State secondary schools.
11.
sexual behaviours of adolescents who
use illegal drugs and those who do not use illegal drugs in Imo State secondary
schools.
Significance
of the Study
The general benefit of this research is that the adolescents
and the general public would be aware of the socio-demographic variables that
influence their sexual behaviours as well as high risk sexual behaviours which
predispose them to contacting sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, unplanned
pregnancy, dropout from school, and unsafe abortion. Specifically, identifying
the level of sexual behaviours of older (15-19 years) and younger (10-14 years)
adolescents in Imo State secondary schools establishes the group that is more
vulnerable to risky sexual behaviour that requires emphasis during
intervention.
Identifying
the levels of sexual behaviour of male and female adolescents in Imo State
secondary schools shows the sex that is significantly involved that will become
a focus point during preventive and control measures. The levels of sexual
behaviour of Imo State secondary school adolescents in various classes JSS1-SS3
indicate those who are sexually active and inactive. This calls for more
attention towards those who are sexually active during intervention through sex
education and introduction to protective measures. The level of sexual
involvement of the urban and rural adolescents establishes the area that is
more involved which is informative in regards to sex education and other
strategies required to control unhealthy sexual behaviours.
Different
family sizes, family structures and financial strengths independently could
actively or inactively influence the sexual behaviours of the adolescents in
Imo State. The understanding of the levels of influence consequently
establishes those at risk that would become target for preventive and control
measures. Furthermore, any age at first sexual intercourse
that was more involved in sexual behaviour should be addressed during
intervention through sex education.
The
religious group or groups that are more involved in sexual behaviours would
require special attention by sex education providers as well as introduction to
protective measures. The study would establish the impact of the use of alcohol
and illegal drugs on sexual behaviours of adolescents in Imo State.
Furthermore, these would show the profile of those at grave risk that would
become the target for prevention and control programmes.
The
theoretical significance of the study is that the theoretical frame work for
understanding health behaviours including sexual behaviours promotes safe sex,
medical compliance and screening. The theory explains the perceived
susceptibility and severity of the sexual behaviours of the adolescents.
The health
workers, policy makers, international, governmental and Non-governmental
agencies operating in the state would be aware of the predictors of perceived
sexual behaviours of adolescents in the state that predispose them to unplanned
pregnancy, unsafe abortion, dropout from school and sexually transmitted infections;
and consequently, establish operational profile of persons at grave risk that
would become specific targets for prevention and control programmes. Also this
study could provide useful
information to other researchers who may wish to carry out more researches in
the area.
Scope
of the Study
The main
purpose of this study was to determine the socio-demographic correlates of
perceived sexual behaviours of adolescents in Imo State secondary schools. The
population of the study was limited to government owned secondary school
adolescents within the age range of 10 to 19 years in Imo State. The secondary
schools have a population of 153,586 adolescents.
The
dependent variables of the study are the sexual behaviours of the adolescents’
defined in terms of multiple and casual sex partners, frequency of Sexual
intercourse, non use of condoms, masturbation, heterosexual and homosexual
relationships, lesbianism, prostitution, anal sex, oral sex and safe sex
practice e.g. abstinence, single sex partner and use of condom.
The
independent variables of the study are the socio-demographic values which are
gender, location, age, level of education (class level), family size, family
structure e.g. polygamy, monogamy and single parenthood, financial strength,
use of alcohol, use of illegal drugs, religion, and various ages at first
sexual intercourse.
Research
Questions
The main research question for
this study reads thus: What are the variables that influence the levels of
sexual behaviours of the adolescents in Imo State?
Specifically
the following research questions guided the study:
1.
What are the levels of perceived
sexual behaviours of older and younger adolescents in Imo State secondary
schools?
2.
What are the levels of perceived
sexual behaviours of male and female adolescents in Imo State secondary
schools?
3.
What are the levels of perceived
sexual behaviours of adolescents in classes JSS1 to SS3 in Imo State secondary
schools?
4.
What are the levels of perceived
sexual behaviours of urban and rural adolescents in Imo State secondary
schools?
5.
What are the levels of perceived
sexual behaviours of adolescents of different family sizes in Imo State
secondary schools?
6.
What are the levels of sexual
behaviours of adolescents of different family structures in Imo State secondary
schools?
7.
What are the levels of perceived
sexual behaviours of adolescents with various ages at first sexual intercourse
in Imo State secondary schools?
8.
What are the levels of perceived sexual
behaviours of adolescents with different financial strengths in Imo State
secondary schools?
9.
What are the levels of perceived
sexual behaviours of adolescents of different religious beliefs in Imo State
secondary schools?
10.
What are the levels of perceived
sexual behaviours of adolescents who use alcohol and those who do not use
alcohol in Imo State secondary schools?
11.
What are the levels of perceived
sexual behaviours of adolescents who use illegal drugs and those who do not use
illegal drugs in Imo State secondary schools?
Hypotheses
The
following hypotheses were formulated and would be tested at an alpha level of
0.05 significance.
1.
There is no significant difference
in the levels of perceived sexual behaviours of older and younger adolescents
in Imo State secondary schools.
2.
There is no significant difference
in the levels of perceived sexual behaviours of male and female adolescents in
Imo State secondary schools.
3.
There are no significant differences
among adolescents in classes JSS1 to SS3 in Imo State secondary schools in
terms of their perceived levels of sexual behaviours.
4.
There is no significant difference
in the levels of perceived sexual behaviours of urban and rural adolescents in
Imo State secondary schools.
5.
There are no significant differences
among adolescents of different family sizes in Imo State secondary schools in
terms of their perceived levels of sexual behaviours.
6.
There are no significant differences
among adolescents of different family structures in Imo State secondary schools
in terms of their perceived levels of sexual behaviours.
7.
There are no significant differences
among adolescents with different ages at first sexual intercourse in Imo State
secondary schools in terms of their perceived levels of sexual behaviours.
8.
There are no significant differences
among adolescents with different financial strengths in Imo State secondary
schools in terms of their perceived levels of sexual behaviours.
9.
There are no significant differences
among adolescents of different religious beliefs in Imo State secondary schools
in terms of their perceived levels of sexual behaviours.
10.
There is no significant difference
in the levels of perceived sexual behaviours of the adolescents in Imo State
secondary schools who use alcohol and those who do not use alcohol.
11.
There is no significant difference
in the levels of perceived sexual behaviours of the adolescents in Imo State
secondary schools who use illegal drugs and those who do not use illegal drugs.
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