title: Sexual behaviours and contraceptive use among female secondary school adolescents in a rural town in RiverS state, South-south Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  According to World Health Organization (WHO), adolescents are persons aged 10-19 years. They comprise nearly half of the world's population of about 7 billion and 85% of them live in developing countries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to assess the sexual behaviours, practices and contraceptive use among secondary school adolescents in Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive study of 300 in-school adolescents in a rural community in Rivers State, South-South Nigeria, selected using multi-stage random sampling technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a high awareness of contraception among respondents, 235 (78.3%), with condom, 207 (88.1%), having the highest awareness. About forty-five percent of respondents, (134), in this survey have had their first sexual debut and 84.3% of this number was sexually active in the last six months preceding this survey. The mean, median and the modal age of first sexual debut were; 12.0 + 2.8, 12.6, and 12.4 years respectively with the youngest age of initiation of sexual activity being 5 years. About two-thirds of those sexually active have multiple sexual partners. Contraceptive use was statistically higher among the sexually active respondents, (74.3%), than the sample study population, (30.3%), (Χ2 = 65.08, p = 0.000). Condom use at their last sexual debut, (58.2%), was significantly higher than use in their first sexual debut (31.3%), (Χ2 = 16.17, p = 0.000). The most commonly used contraceptive method was condom, (81.7%). CoNCLUSION: High risk sexual behaviour and increased sexual activity was prevalent in this age group. Efforts to promote sexuality education and contraceptive awareness should be intensified.
authors: C B
authors: CB
authors: Duru
authors: C C
authors: CC
authors: Nnebue
authors: K A
authors: KA
authors: Uwakwe
authors: A C N
authors: AC
authors: Obi-Okaro
authors: K C
authors: KC
authors: Diwe
authors: H N
authors: HN
authors: Chineke
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Abejega
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D012424:Rural Population; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students