Determinants of risky sexual behaviours among secondary school students in Delta State Nigeria

Abstract

In the last three decades, it has been observed that there has been a substantial increase in the proportion of adolescents who engaged in sexual activity while at school. Using the survey design, this study investigated the perceived effect of emotional intelligence, self-esteem, religiosity and media on risky sexual behaviour of 300 secondary school students from 10 secondary schools within Asaba metropolis. Five instruments were administered to the participants selected for the study. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The result indicated that the relationships among risky sexual behaviour and the independent variables were significant; however, the relationships between risky sexual behaviour and emotional intelligence/religiosity were negatively significant. About 43% of the variation of risky sexual behaviour among adolescents was accounted for by the independent variables, the most potent being religiosity. It was, however, recommended that incorporating emotional intelligence and self-esteem training into the school curriculum of students' religious activities should be encouraged as well to enhance moral development of adolescents. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.