Sexual Information Sources And Risky Sexual Behaviour Among Female Secondary School Adolescents In Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study adopted correlational survey design to establish the relationship between sexual information sources and risky sexual behaviour among female secondary school adolescents in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria.  It was guided by two research questions and two null hypotheses.  A sample of 395   female      students    in     public secondary    schools in the study area were selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. One instrument titled “sexual information sources and risky sexual behaviour (SISRSBQ) was developed   by the researcher   with the help of research experts and    used for data collection.  The reliability of the questionnaire, established using Cronbach Alpha which ranges from 80 to .87.   The hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at .05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that   formal education, social media sources of information   significantly relate   to risky sexual behaviour among female secondary school adolescents. it was concluded that the risky sexual behaviours of female students depend   their   formal education, social media sources of information. Based on the findings and conclusion of this study, it was recommended amongst others that schools should develop curricula that not only provide accurate sexual health information but also teach critical media literacy skills. This would help students discern credible sources from unreliable ones on social media platforms.