title: Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of the teacher's role in sexuality education in public schools in Nigeria.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge, attitude, and perception of teachers of their role in the sexuality education of secondary school students with a viewto suggesting strategies for improvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Information was collected from 305 secondary school teachers selected by multi-stage random sampling method from Osun state, Nigeria using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median age of respondents was 36 +/- 8.18 years. Male/female ratio was 1:1.2. Knowledge about key reproductive issues was poor and inadequate. Knowledge of more than one contraceptive method was low (39.0%), Condom was the most frequently mentioned (59.3%). The teachers exhibited poor perception of their role in sexuality education of their students. 52.8% placed the sole responsibility for sexuality education on parents and only 20.7% found that it should start before age 10 years. Mean menarcheal age was 13.1 +/- 1.7 y. A statistically significant association was found between respondents' gender and knowledge of menarcheal age (p = .03); and between class taught and knowledge of menarcheal age (p = .003). 86.90% had positive attitude towards inclusion of sexuality education in the school curriculum; however, 43.6% felt that contraceptive methods should not be part of the course content.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An urgent need exists for education and re-orientation of teachers through seminars and workshops, in-service training education program to equip them properly for the task. Policy makers need to formulate a definite, explicit, and workable sexuality education policy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, PMB 4400, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. estoaskol@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Esther O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Asekun-Olarinmoye
authors.forename: Olufunmilayo I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Fawole
authors.forename: Magbagbeola D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Dairo
authors.forename: Oluwatoyin A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Amusan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003267:Contraception; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008572:Menarche; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D024382:Professional Role; D012574:Schools / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012736:Sex Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors