Scientific Research and Essays Vol. 2 (1), 023-028, January 2007          
ISSN 1992-2248 © 2007 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The negative impacts of adolescent sexuality problems among secondary school students in Oworonshoki Lagos

L. A. J. Shittu¹^,4*, M. P. Zachariah², G. Ajayi³, J. A. Oguntola¹, M. C. Izegbu⁵ and O. A. Ashiru¹^,4

¹Department of Anatomy, Lagos State University, College of medicine (Lasucom), P.M.B 21266 Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria.

²Department of Psychiatry, Lasucom, P.M.B 21266 Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria.

³Department of Biochemistry, Lasucom, P.M.B 21266 Ikeja Lagos, Nigera.  ⁴ Medical Assisted Reproductive centre (MART), Maryland, Lagos, Nigeria.

⁵Department of Morbid Anatomy, Lasucom, P.M.B 21266 Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:drlukemanjoseph@yahoo.com.

Accepted 19 December, 2006

This study was conducted to focus on the negative health outcomes related to sexual behaviour in adolescents and young adults attending public school in the Oworonshoki region of Lagos, Nigeria, Africa. Since, there is a relative dearth of knowledge on adolescents who face unique and challenging economics, health and education problems in our society. Data on the socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence and knowledge towards STD including HIV/AIDS, prevalence of sexual abuse practice/sexual behaviour, family planning awareness and acceptance including abortion practice were sorted out using self structured questionnaires and administered to 60% of student’s population using a stratified random sampling technique. 55.8% lived with both parents. While, 50.3% of the mothers had basic secondary school qualifications, 72.4% of them are traders. 61.5% had sex education were from misinformed friends/peers while 51% had no basic knowledge about sexual behavioral practice and attitude towards STDs/AIDS (HIV). STD has a prevalence of 34 and 41% of boys used condoms for preventing STI/HIV transmission and unwanted pregnancies. One out of every five sexually active teenagers has experienced forced sex, especially among the circumcised girls who were more sexually active than the uncircumcised girls. 60% of girls between ages of 12 and 18 years had more than one unsafe abortion with severe vaginal bleeding (haemorrhage) as the chief complication. However, 65% of the girls did abortion for fear of leaving school and financial hardship as the reasons.

Key words: Adolescent, sexuality, attitude, knowledge, Lagos, legislation.