RISKY SEXUAL AND HEALTH BEHAVIOURS AND IMPACT ON PSYCHO-SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF ADOLESCENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Authors

  • Nkechi Uzochukwu Okeke PhD, Department of Educational Foundations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
  • Elizabeth Ifeoma Anierobi Department of Educational Foundations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
  • Ursula Ifeoma Oparaugo Department of Educational Foundations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v8i9.3888

Keywords:

risky sexual, health behaviours, adolescents, tertiary institutions, psycho-social development

Abstract

Adolescents due to the experimentation and exploration drive that characterize the period often engage in risky sexual and health behaviours being ignorant of the consequences on their health and psychological well-being. The study adopted ex-post-facto research design to find out risky sexual and health behaviours and impact on psycho-social development of adolescents in tertiary institutions in Enugu state. Four research questions guided the study. A total of 300 students in 300 and 400 levels in three selected higher institutions in Enugu state formed the sample of the study. Data were collected through questionnaire of 40 items to elicit information on the impact of risky sexual and health behaviours on psycho-social development of adolescents. The instrument was validated by experts in education. Reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha and an alpha coefficient of 0.78 was obtained. Research questions were answered using frequencies, percentages and mean. Result revealed the prevalence of risky sexual and health behaviours among adolescents in tertiary institutions in Enugu state. It also revealed that risky sexual and health behaviours are associated with frustration, low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, sense of regret, abandonment by parents/siblings and loss of self-respect among others. The researchers recommend family interventions (good parental training and monitoring), counseling and rehabilitation services, emotional regulation skills and self-management skills training.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Nkechi Uzochukwu Okeke, PhD, Department of Educational Foundations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
    Dr. Nkechi Uzochukwu Okeke is a Lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. She is a scholar in Educational Psychology. A prolific writer with area of interest in Psychology of Learning and Adolescence Psychology. Dr. Nkechi has published with many local and international journals.
  • Elizabeth Ifeoma Anierobi, Department of Educational Foundations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
    Elizabeth Ifeoma Anierobi is a Lecturer in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. She is an educational psychologist and a prolific writer with interest in learning, adolescents' behaviour and special needs education. She has authored and co-authored many articles in both national and international journals.
  • Ursula Ifeoma Oparaugo, Department of Educational Foundations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
    Oparaugo Ursula Ifeoma is a Lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. She holds a Master degree in Educational Psychology and currently a PhD scholar in the above department.

References

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Published

2021-08-08

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 9 (2021)

Section

Articles

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