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.
Keywords:
Adolescents, Sexually transmitted infections, Risky
sexual behaviours, HIV/AIDs.
