Sexual behavior and pregnancy among Nigerian students.
The sexual behavior of 539 Nigerian female students comprising 387 adults and 152 teenagers was studied. The overall incidence of sexual activity among the students was 51.2%. The incidence of sexual intercourse was significantly higher among adult students (61.0%) compared with teenagers (26.3%) (p < 0.0005). There was no significant difference in the mean age at sexual debut for the adult students (18.7 +/- 3.2) compared with the teenage population (16.1 +/- 1.7). The frequency of sexual exposure was also not significantly different in the two groups (4.1 +/- 6.1 times per month for the adult students and 3.6 +/- 5.9 times per month for the teenage students). However, pregnancy occurred more often among the adult students (38.1%) than among the teenagers (15.0%) (p < 0.005). This article looks at the psychosocial implications of adolescent sexuality and the overall relevance of adequate reproductive health education in encouraging responsible attitudes regarding sexuality among teenagers.
Adinma
J I
JI
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Agbai
A O
AO
Okeke
A O
AO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012725:Sexual Behavior