Sexual Risk Behaviour Among In-School Adolescents in Public Secondary Schools in a Southwestern City in Nigeria

Purpose: Several studies have documented the high sexual activities and risky sexual behaviours among adolescents in most parts of the world thus putting them at high risk of contacting the HIV infection and other complications. This study aimed to determine sexual risk factors among adolescents in secondary schools in urban areas of Osogbo in South western Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was done among 521 public secondary school students in Osogbo, Southwestern Nigeria, using multistage sampling technique and semi-structured administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software package version 15. Results: Appreciable number (31.5%) of the respondents have had sexual intercourse (the mean age of sexual debut being 15.2+1 yr). Some of them (14.6%) had had more than one sexual partners, 17 (3.3%) had visited commercial sex workers before, 33 (6.3%) had been raped previously while 25 (4.8%) had been treated for STIs symptoms in the past. Most respondents were aware of common modes of transmission of the HIV virus. Less than half (32.8%) of the respondents were prepared to be screened for HIV infection. Conclusion: Many adolescents studied were sexually active, and taking a lot of risky sexual behaviours that could facilitate transmission of HIV. Advocacy programme that will make adequate information about sexual health available to the adolescents needs to be intensified.