Adolescent sexuality education: An appraisal of some scalable interventions for the Nigerian context

Abstract

Most issues around sexual intercourse are highly sensitive topics in Nigeria. Despite the disturbingly high adolescent HIV prevalence and teenage pregnancy rate in Nigeria, sexuality education is near-absent. Sexuality education is the life-long process of acquiring information and forming beliefs, attitudes and values about identity, relationship and intimacy. It addresses the socio-cultural, biological, psychological and spiritual components of sexuality and includes sexual development, reproductive health, interpersonal relationship, body image and gender roles. This article explores the different strategies of implementing adolescent sexuality education and appraises the opportunities and constraints for their introduction and scale up within the Nigerian context.

Key words: Adolescent sexuality education, strategies, Nigeria.