Assessment of Sexual Behaviour and Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Secondary School Students in Ekiadolor, Edo State

BACKGROUND: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is an important aspect of health and a fundamental human right which includes sexuality education, family planning, safe motherhood,post‑abortion care, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS. The aim of this study was to assess the sexual behaviour and utilisation of SRH services (SRHSs) among in‑school adolescents in Ekiadolor, Edo state.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross‑sectional study conducted among in‑school adolescents in Ekiadolor. The respondents were then selected using a multistage sampling technique. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain data for the study. Data were coded and entered into IBM SPSS version 22.0 for analysis and P < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS: A higher proportion of the respondents were male and 58.2% were of early adolescent age group (10–14 years), with a mean age of 14.29 ± 1.72 years. Only 6 (5%) of the respondents had good knowledge. Forty‑seven (11.7%) respondents were sexually active and 36 (76.6%) of these engaged in safe sexual behaviour. Seven (1.7%) respondents visited hospital for SRHS and the major services utilised were counselling, HIV testing and acquisition of contraceptive pill. Eighteen (38.3%) of those sexually active had utilised condom during sex.

CONCLUSION: There was a poor knowledge of contraception and low level of utilisation of SRHSs mong the secondary school students. However, a higher proportion of the sexually active respondents engaged in safe sexual behaviour.