Undergraduates’ History of Sexual Abuse, Parenting Style and Sexual Risk Behaviour in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour among undergraduate students in southwestern Nigeria. Also investigated the association between perceived parenting styles of undergraduate students and risky sexual behaviour as well as their sexual abuse history with the aim of understanding how to resolve the problem associated with it. The study adopted descriptive survey with a sample of 2,300 undergraduate students selected from six universities in south-western Nigeria. ‘Questionnaire on Sexual Abuse and Risky Sexual Behaviour’ (QSARSB) and ‘Perceived Parenting Authority Questionnaire’ (PPAQ), were used to collect data for the study. Results of the study indicated the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour among undergraduate students (60.9%), and that sexual abuse had significant relationship with risky sexual behaviour (X2=409.9 <0.05).Also there was a significant relationship between parenting styles and risky sexual behaviour (X2=413, 27 <0.05). However, family type had no significant influence on risky sexual practices (X2=3.62 >0.05, X2= 3.47 >0.05). It was concluded that university undergraduate students in southwestern Nigeria in engaged in risky sexual behaviour which was a function of factors like poor parenting styles and history of sexual abuse. These factors are necessary for consideration in providing intervention programme for resolving this problem.