Influence of Sex Education on the Sexual Behaviour of Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of sex education on the sexual behaviour of adolescents in Senior and Junior High Schools in the New Juaben Municipality. A cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study are adolescents in Junior and Senior High Schools in New Juaben Municipality. A random sampling technique was used to select two-hundred and fifty (250) respondents from two Junior High Schools and two Senior High Schools in New Juaben Municipality. The main instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. Both inferential and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The study indicated that sex education (in terms of HIV/AIDS education) has had a significant influence (impact) on sexual behaviours. The positive sexual behaviours of adolescent in Junior and Senior High Schools is evident in their attitude toward premarital sex. The study also revealed that adolescents exhibited a positive attitude toward premarital sex and abstaining from sex that will make them sick or look odd in society, neither would it give them problems during intercourse when they finally marry. It is recommended that Parents should ensure that their children receive more sex education to offset the negative influences of the media. It is also recommended that Government may also consider replicating the popular nationwide Science and Mathematics quiz in the area of adolescent sexual behaviour and reproductive health in SHS and JHS to increase the awareness of students about appropriate adolescents’ sexual behaviours and reproductive health issues.