PERCEPTION OF PRE-MARITAL SEX AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN AKUNGBA, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study examined the perception of adolescents towards premarital sex among secondary school children in Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. The study applied descriptive survey research design. Data were generated using structured questionnaire administered to 147 respondents from two secondary schools in Akungba-Akoko. Fifteen In-depth Interview (IDI) sessions were conducted. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data were content analysed. The findings showed that 21% of the respondents perceived that adolescents should be involved in premarital sex while 79% did not agree. Also, 23% of the respondents believe in premarital sex, 77% did not believe. The test of hypotheses revealed that there was a statistically significant relationship between source of sexual information and perception (p>0.05). Additionally, there was a statistically significant relationship (p<0.05) between adolescents’ perception and belief about premarital sex. The challenge of age-specific sexual information for children and adequate sources of sexual information for adolescents persist in the society. Indeed, there is a dire need for efforts geared towards sustainable development goals, particularly as regards the sexual and reproductive health needs of young people, to target repositioning parents and teachers towards early and friendly sexual health communication.