Demographic factors and online sexual behaviours of tertiary institution students in Osun State, nigeria: counselling implications

Abstract

The study examined the dimension of online sexual behaviour of tertiary institution students in Osun State, Nigeria. It also investigated the predictive contribution of demographic factors on online sexual behaviour of students. Descriptive correlational design was adopted for the study. The population for the study consisted of all tertiary institution students in Osun State. A sample of 1600 students was selected to participate in the study. Online Sexual Behaviour Scale (OSBS) was the instrument designed and used to collect data for the study. Frequency counts was used to answer the research question while linear regression analysis used to test the research hypothesis. The findings showed that 34.1% of students sampled have experienced partnered-arousal with another person while 48.5% of them have experienced nonarousal. Only 17.4% of them have had experience of solitary arousal with another person. The result also showed that place of residence was the strongest predictor of online sexual behaviour among students (B = 12.164; t = 10.091; p < 0.05). This study concluded that demographic factors were predictive factors of online sexual behavior among tertiary institution students. Thus, appropriate counselling implications were made, and it was recommended that counselling psychologists and sex educators should develop a comprehensive programme that will specifically promote safe online sexual practices among students.