Perceived implications and associated risks of non-sexual abstinence among in-school adolescents in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The main objective of this st udy was to determine the perceived implications and associated risks of non-sexual abstinence among secondary  school students in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional survey design. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 348 respondents from the study population. A 58- item validated instrument with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.74 was used to collect data. Data collected, were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and Spearman’s non-parametric correlation fixed at 0.05 significant level. Majority (57.2%) of the respondents were between the ages of 14-16. More than half (76.4%) of the respondents were female.52% of the respondents’ were in SSS 3 class. Most (60.1%) of the respondents were Christians. More than half (61.2%) of the respondents were Yoruba, about 61.5% of the respondents’  live with both parents while 57.2% of the respondents had not more than three siblings. The respondents had a good knowledge of non-sexual abstinence with a mean score of 7.72±1.32 and a poor perception with a mean score of 10.61±2.76. The respondents had environmental influence of peer pressure and mass media with a mean score of 14.12±4.13 and 25.39±4.99. The respondents reported the following as the implications and associated risks of non-sexual abstinence; Unintended pregnancy 58%, abortion 55.7%, death due to abortion 50.9%, STI,s like HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, genital warts, etc 61.8%, expulsion from school 62.1%, sex addiction 59.5%, low selfesteem 37.9%, alcohol and drug dependent 39.9%, addiction to pornography 39.7%. Furthermore, respondents’ gender had a significant relationship with the implications and associated risks of non-sexual abstinence (Gender (rs = 0.10; p< 0.05). peer pressure had a significant relationship with non-sexual abstinence (Peerpressure (R= 0.67; p<00.05). Peer group influence and social media influence have greater influence on adolescent in the way they perceive the implications and associated risks of non-sexual abstinence. Therefore, it is recommended that educational trainings should be conducted for peer educators to give accurate  information to their peers about associated risks of non-sexual sexual abstinence.

Key Words: sexual abstinence, unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, in-school adolescents and peer pressure.