Sex Information Sources and Sexuality Practices Among Secondary School Female Students

CHAPTER ONE

The Purpose of the Study 

The purpose of this study was to find out which source of sexual information influences secondary school students’ sexual behavior in Ibadan metropolis, in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Research Objectives

In carrying out this study, six specific objectives were formulated and they sought;

1. to determine how sexual information obtained through secondary school curriculum influences secondary school students’ sexual behavior,
2. to establish how sexual information received through the family setting influences secondary school students’ sexual behavior,
3. to determine how sexual information received through religious institutions influences secondary school students’ sexual behavior,
4. to establish how sexual information obtained through the peer group influences secondary school students’ sexual behavior,
5. to determine how sexual information accessed through the mass media influences secondary school students’ sexual behavior,
6. to establish how students’ personal characteristics influence their sexual behavior.

CHAPTER TWO 

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Introduction

This chapter deals with literature related to studies on sources of information on sexuality and how that information influences sexual behavior among the youth and in particular secondary school students. The literature reviewed is presented in six thematic subtopics, based on the variables of this study. These are the school, the family, religious institution, the media and the peer groups, as sources that interact as agents of socialization with every growing human child in all social aspects including sexuality. The literature on personal characteristics and their influence on sexual behavior have also been reviewed. Further, the Ecological Systems Theory by Urie Bronfenbrenner (2019) was also reviewed and consequently used in interpretation of findings.

An Overview of the Influence of secondary School Curriculum Sexual Information on Secondary School Student’s Sexual Behavior.

Education Committee of the United States (2011) defines education on sexuality as a lifelong process of building a strong foundation for sexual health through acquiring information and forming attitudes, beliefs and values about identity, relationships, and intimacy. In this study, sexual-related information refers to information that pertains to reproductive health. Sexual-related information can be passed through formal or informal sex education programs through various social agents. Thus, sex education refers to the deliberate process of transmitting information on sex and sexual relationships while sexuality is the broad social perspectives of sex, such as sexual mores, and feelings. The knowledge so acquired should enhance the quality of relationships of an individual and their ability to make informed decisions over their sexual behavior.

Any sex education curriculum should aim to reduce the risks of potentially negative outcomes from sexual behavior, and contribute to young people’s positive experience of their sexuality. School based sex education can be an important and effective way of enhancing young people’s knowledge, attitudes and behavior. According to Forrest (2015), effective school programs should include a number of elements such as: a focus on reducing specific risky behavior; a basis of theories which explain what influences people’s sexual choices and behavior; providing accurate information about the risks associated with sexual activity; about contraception and birth control, and about methods of avoiding or deferring intercourse; dealing with peer and other social pressures on young people; and providing opportunities to practice communication, negotiation and assertion skills.

Forrest (2015) further asserts that effective school programs also use a variety of approaches to teaching and learning that involve and engage young people and help to personalize or relate to that information; use approaches to teaching and learning which are appropriate to young people’s age, experience and cultural background; is provided by people who believe in what they are saying and have access to support in the form of training or consultation with other sex educators. Similarly, Oduor (2016) recommends the use of social learning theories as a foundation for program development focusing on recognition of social influences, changing individual values, changing group norms and building social skills.

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CHAPTER THREE 

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Introduction 

This chapter contains research methodology used in this study. This comprises of study design, target population, sample and sampling procedure, research instruments, pilot study, data collection procedure and data analysis techniques.

• Study Design.

The study used survey method of research. A survey research design is a technique in which detailed information concerning a social phenomenon is gathered by posing questions to respondents. A survey research is generally used as a method in studies which have individuals as units of analysis of a phenomenon. The outcome of such investigations makes it possible to find explanations of the phenomenon in question. A survey is particularly useful in measuring people’s attitudes and orientations in a large population. The research used both quantitative and qualitative data. Descriptive survey was used to measure, classify, analyze, compare and interpret data. Regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses formulated for the study. The hypotheses were tested using 5 percent (0.05) level of significance. The locale of the study was Thika Metropolis, Ibadan, Nigeria.

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION

Introduction

This chapter presents the research findings on basis of bio data, research objectives and corresponding research hypothesis. Data was collected by means of both self administration of questionnaires and face to face interviews. Questionnaires were administered to randomly selected students from public and private secondary schools. Interviews were held with head teachers and teacher counsellors from the schools where students participated as respondents. Statistical analysis of the data is presented and interpreted to show the relationship between the variables studied and their influence on sexuality practices among secondary school students in Ibadan Metropolis. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. In addition, hypotheses were tested using regression analysis at 0.05 or 5% level of significance.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

Introduction

This chapter has presented summary of the major findings and the conclusions of the study. In addition the chapter has outlined pertinent recommendations on the basis of the findings.

Summary of the study

The purpose of this study was to investigate how sexual information from various sources influences secondary school students’ sexual behavior. Six specific study objectives were formulated to guide data collection and analysis. The objectives were: to determine extent to which sexual information obtained through the school curriculum influence secondary school students’ sexual behavior; establish how sexual information received through the family setting influence secondary school students’ sexual behavior; determine the extent to which sexual information received through religious teachings influence secondary school students’ sexual behavior; establish how sexual information obtained through the peer group influence secondary school students’ sexual behavior; to what extent sexual information accessed through mass media influence secondary school students’ sexual behavior and how personal characteristics influence secondary school students’ sexual behavior.

The study design survey method using descriptive survey. The study was conducted among students and teachers, specifically secondary school students in their final year of secondary education, head teachers and teacher counselors from the same secondary schools as student respondents.

5.11 Study Conclusion

 

On the basis of the findings, the following conclusions have been advanced;

1. The final conclusion is that there lacks any one reliable source of sexual information that adolescents and in particular, secondary school students can rely
2. The number one factor influencing students’ sexual behavior is media, followed by peer group in position two and school curriculum as number  Family sources are fourth and religious institutions holding the last position. The implication of these findings is that, if we want to create interventions to correct youth sexual behavior, we should create interventions on media and peer group as that would create positive values and behavior. Such interventions may be implemented through the school curriculum for them to be carried out professionally to avoid repercussions of unprofessional conduct in handling such a sensitive topic. Unfortunately, challenges in doing this has been the perennial opposition by religious leaders and some parents, yet many study findings are proof of the importance. Instead, the youth are left to learn from foreign movies, internet and other forms of mass media to the detriment of their education.
3. The school curriculum does not offer adequate information on sexual matters. Education is a process of transmitting information, knowledge and skills that enables the learner to fit in the society and become a productive member of that society. Cases of negative consequences of sexual behavior continue to ravage students leading to unwanted pregnancies, abortions, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS/infections and school dropouts, due to lack of proper information on sexual matters. Students and teachers support provision of sex education in schools and majority of students prefer teacher counselors as the best in handling the subject. The responses led to the conclusion that if more sexual related information was to be channeled through the school curriculum, there might be some degree of sexual behavior change among students
4. The findings in this study show that family sources and especially parents are very poor providers of sexual information to their adolescent  The parents being the primary teachers of sexual information appear to have lost the battle due to the breakdown of traditional structures and social changes in modern living conditions. The study concludes that parents need to liaise with the teachers as the alternative sources of sexual information for their children. The study showed that students value the input of their parents on sexual information and older members of the family. These findings should therefore conclude the debate between parents, teachers and the government on whether to introduce sex education in the curriculum. The debate should now be how soon the education can be provided.
5. Religious institutions, just like the parents appear to have abandoned a section of their flock by failing to address the need for sexual knowledge among the  The religious leaders are portrayed as not playing any significant role among the youth on sexuality issues. It was also evident is that the school programs that were recommended by religious bodies such as Family Life Education and Life Skills Education fall short of providing adequate sexual information leaving the youth to search for the rest from unreliable sources. The findings of this study have also led to the conclusion that although most students indicated they are members of different religious faith, their religious institutions do not provide them with sexual information.
6. Analysis of influence of sexual information received through the peer group revealed a strong level of significance. Considering that the knowledge they share comes from sources that are not intent on promoting morals, what they share is of little moral value and no wonder their expected sexual behavior is wanting. Over-reliance on peers for information about sexual matters exposes students to misleading  Consequently, most of sexually active students are at the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies among girls which can result to school dropout or health complications as young girls attempt to abort. Analysis of data on the agent that the students prefer to teach the subject on sexuality and its management reveals that a significant percentage of students would like peer counselors to handle the subject. This leads to the conclusion that success of a sex education program must involve peer counselors.
7. The media has come out as the most influential source of sexual Communication and Technological development has opened access to universal sexual habits unknown to older generations especially parents. The young are accessing more than what they deserve and need guidance on what to consume and what to discard. As a result of media popularity as a source of sexual information, this study concludes that using the same as a tool to teach the correct sexual knowledge would attract the attention of the youth.
8. Students’ gender and age has indicated a strong relationship to sexual activity. It is important that the community modifies their stereotyping of gender in matters of  Socializing one gender to be sexually active is manly and the other gender is socialized to abstain is like shooting ourselves in the leg. Society needs to modify their attitudes towards sexuality and eliminate double standards in the expectations of responsible behavior.

Recommendations from the study 

On the basis of the findings and conclusions of the study, a number of recommendations have been made. These recommendations are:

1. The education system should include a comprehensive sex education curriculum throughout the school cycle appropriate to the age of the learner at each
2. Teachers should be trained to handle the subject while still in college in order to make them confident when tackling the topic. The study recommends introduction of sex education in Teacher Training Institutions as an optional stand-alone teaching subject that teachers can specialize
3. Parents should be sensitized about the whole question of adolescent sexuality so that they get more involved in supporting what students learn about the same to complement what teachers are doing
4. The religious leaders should engage in familiarizing themselves with modern sexuality trends grounded on research, so that they play a more active role in educating the adolescents on sexual
5. Since adolescents find it easy to gather information from their peers, the study recommends that peer counselors be trained and provided with the right content on sexuality. This would enable them to provide the right information whenever it is required by the other
6. The study recommends the use of media in disseminating sexual information in order to make it attractive and acceptable. As technology is used in simulation of natural activities like the earthquakes and volcanic actions, the same can be used to communicate realities of irresponsible use of sex as well as the negative
7. Finally, the study recommends that more studies should be carried out in other parts of the country in order to compare the  This would serve as a way of assessing the needs of students in different parts of the country when formulating solutions to sexual-related issues.

REFERENCES

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