Dynamics of Sex Education and Trending Sexual Behaviours among Secondary Students in Delta State, Nigeria

The study examined the dynamics of sex education and trending sexual behaviours among secondary school students in Delta State, Nigeria. This was prompted by the conservative nature of the Nigerian society on sexual issues and the emerging sexual behaviours and practices such as LGBTQ oriented sexual activities and the need to guide students properly on sexual behaviours and sexualities. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised all students in public secondary schools in Delta State. A sample size of 600 junior secondary school students was selected from 12 public secondary schools in Delta State. The multistage sampling techniques of cluster, quota, purposive, and random sampling techniques were used for the selection of the respondents. The three Senatorial Districts in the State constituted three clusters and from each of the clusters, four schools were selected; one school from a local government area selected through the random sampling technique. The respondents (actual sample) were selected through random sampling technique. The instruments for data collection were a 37-item structured questionnaire of a four-point rating scale titled: “The Dynamics of Sex Education and Trending Behavioural Practices among Secondary Schools Students Questionnaire (DSETBPASSQ), and a 24-item structured Focus Interview Guide titled: Sex Education and Trending Behavioural Practices among Secondary Schools Students Interview Guide (SETBPASSIG). The instruments were validated by two experts while the reliability was established through a trial test by which an index value of.84 was attained. 600 copies of the instrument were administered to the respondents by the researchers with the help of three guided research assistants. The on-the-spot collection method was used to enhance the return rate while 578(96%) copies were retrieved. Descriptive statistics of mean scores and standard deviation were used for data analysis. Findings from the study revealed among others that students have some levels of awareness and knowledge of the dynamics of sexual behaviours but are not adequately taught sex education in schools as students (males and females) do not have adequate awareness/knowledge about sex education as they lack courage and knowledge in taking decisions on consent and personal boundaries, making informed decision about sexual behaviour, and become aware of the risks of unprotected sex. The study recommended among others that the Federal and the Delta State Ministry of Education should ensure the incorporation of comprehensive sex education (CSE) in school curricula to integrate age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and research-based sex education into the secondary school curriculum in order to address contemporary sexual behaviours, including LGBTQ topics, while promoting responsible decision-making. It also recommends that a comparative studies of public and private secondary schools should be conducted to determine the level of knowledge/awareness of sex education and sexual behviour and practices among students in Delta State.