Adolescent sexuality education, sexual debut, and associated factors in Nigerian public secondary schools
Abstract Adolescents in Nigeria face significant sexual and reproductive health risks, yet the effectiveness of existing sexuality education programs remains uncertain. Addressing these gaps is critical to improving adolescent health outcomes. This study assessed sexuality education, sexual debut, a...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06360-8 |
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| author | Tope Michael Ipinnimo Olalekan Oladipupo Rosiji Olumide Temitope Asake Oluwafunmilayo Oluwadamilola Ibikunle Motunrayo Temidayo Ipinnimo Toluwalope Motunrayo Asake |
| author_facet | Tope Michael Ipinnimo Olalekan Oladipupo Rosiji Olumide Temitope Asake Oluwafunmilayo Oluwadamilola Ibikunle Motunrayo Temidayo Ipinnimo Toluwalope Motunrayo Asake |
| author_sort | Tope Michael Ipinnimo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Adolescents in Nigeria face significant sexual and reproductive health risks, yet the effectiveness of existing sexuality education programs remains uncertain. Addressing these gaps is critical to improving adolescent health outcomes. This study assessed sexuality education, sexual debut, and associated factors among public secondary school adolescents in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 380 adolescents selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using a validated semi-structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic variables, sexuality education (assessed with 13 questions exploring past sex-related discussions, sexually transmitted infection, contraceptive, and puberty), as well as engagement in sexual intercourse. Pearson chi-square and binary logistic regression were used to identify the predictors of engagement in sexual intercourse. Approximately 36.8% (n = 140) of respondents had a good level of sexuality education. Less than one-third, 27.1% (n = 103) had ever discussed sex-related matters with their parents or guardian. About 22.1% (n = 84) had engaged in sexual intercourse, with 41.7% (n = 35) having their sexual debut before the age of 15. Predictors of engagement in sexual intercourse included being ≥ 18 years old (AOR 12.881, 95% CI 3.615–45.892), male gender (AOR 2.573, 95% CI 1.353–4.892), senior secondary school enrollment (AOR 4.201, 95% CI 1.654–10.671), polygamous family background (AOR 2.508, 95% CI 1.007–6.316), having four or more siblings (AOR 3.778, 95% CI 2.043–6.986), and higher level of sexuality education (AOR 1.829, 95% CI 1.006–6.986). A huge proportion of adolescents who engage in sexual intercourse begin early; therefore, it is crucial to target interventions to address their needs at this stage. The limited parental involvement in sexuality education must be addressed to provide adolescents with safe, accurate, and socio-culturally sensitive comprehensive sexuality education. We suggest increasing advocacy to encourage parents and guardians to openly educate their children about sexuality. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-41c67bbf11c54395bb132d1cb4e5a7aa |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-41c67bbf11c54395bb132d1cb4e5a7aa2025-08-20T03:03:32ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511910.1038/s41598-025-06360-8Adolescent sexuality education, sexual debut, and associated factors in Nigerian public secondary schoolsTope Michael Ipinnimo0Olalekan Oladipupo Rosiji1Olumide Temitope Asake2Oluwafunmilayo Oluwadamilola Ibikunle3Motunrayo Temidayo Ipinnimo4Toluwalope Motunrayo Asake5Department of Community Medicine, Federal Teaching HospitalDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching HospitalDepartment of Community Medicine, Federal Teaching HospitalMalaria ConsortiumNHIA Department, Ekiti State University Teaching HospitalDepartment of Acute Medicine, Manchester Royal InfirmaryAbstract Adolescents in Nigeria face significant sexual and reproductive health risks, yet the effectiveness of existing sexuality education programs remains uncertain. Addressing these gaps is critical to improving adolescent health outcomes. This study assessed sexuality education, sexual debut, and associated factors among public secondary school adolescents in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 380 adolescents selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using a validated semi-structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic variables, sexuality education (assessed with 13 questions exploring past sex-related discussions, sexually transmitted infection, contraceptive, and puberty), as well as engagement in sexual intercourse. Pearson chi-square and binary logistic regression were used to identify the predictors of engagement in sexual intercourse. Approximately 36.8% (n = 140) of respondents had a good level of sexuality education. Less than one-third, 27.1% (n = 103) had ever discussed sex-related matters with their parents or guardian. About 22.1% (n = 84) had engaged in sexual intercourse, with 41.7% (n = 35) having their sexual debut before the age of 15. Predictors of engagement in sexual intercourse included being ≥ 18 years old (AOR 12.881, 95% CI 3.615–45.892), male gender (AOR 2.573, 95% CI 1.353–4.892), senior secondary school enrollment (AOR 4.201, 95% CI 1.654–10.671), polygamous family background (AOR 2.508, 95% CI 1.007–6.316), having four or more siblings (AOR 3.778, 95% CI 2.043–6.986), and higher level of sexuality education (AOR 1.829, 95% CI 1.006–6.986). A huge proportion of adolescents who engage in sexual intercourse begin early; therefore, it is crucial to target interventions to address their needs at this stage. The limited parental involvement in sexuality education must be addressed to provide adolescents with safe, accurate, and socio-culturally sensitive comprehensive sexuality education. We suggest increasing advocacy to encourage parents and guardians to openly educate their children about sexuality.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06360-8AdolescentNigeriaPublic secondary schoolSexual debutSexual intercourseSexuality education |
| spellingShingle | Tope Michael Ipinnimo Olalekan Oladipupo Rosiji Olumide Temitope Asake Oluwafunmilayo Oluwadamilola Ibikunle Motunrayo Temidayo Ipinnimo Toluwalope Motunrayo Asake Adolescent sexuality education, sexual debut, and associated factors in Nigerian public secondary schools Scientific Reports Adolescent Nigeria Public secondary school Sexual debut Sexual intercourse Sexuality education |
| title | Adolescent sexuality education, sexual debut, and associated factors in Nigerian public secondary schools |
| title_full | Adolescent sexuality education, sexual debut, and associated factors in Nigerian public secondary schools |
| title_fullStr | Adolescent sexuality education, sexual debut, and associated factors in Nigerian public secondary schools |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adolescent sexuality education, sexual debut, and associated factors in Nigerian public secondary schools |
| title_short | Adolescent sexuality education, sexual debut, and associated factors in Nigerian public secondary schools |
| title_sort | adolescent sexuality education sexual debut and associated factors in nigerian public secondary schools |
| topic | Adolescent Nigeria Public secondary school Sexual debut Sexual intercourse Sexuality education |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06360-8 |
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