Promoting Healthier Living among Adolescent Girls in Nigeria

Abstract

Issues of sexual and reproductive health have remained central to the lives of human beings, specifically as they relate to adolescent girls. The increasing incidences of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortion and the ravaging effects of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS have made it imperative for a strategy or approach that will address the root of these problems. The national school curriculum on sexuality, family life and HIV/AIDS education is an approach aimed at addressing these problems. In 2005 the Cross River State Government of Nigeria adopted the policy and implemented the programme whereby teachers were selected and trained across the three directorates of the state and further empowered with sexuality education materials. Students in Junior Secondary Schools, (JSS I & II classes) were selected across the three directorates of Cross River State (Southern, Central and Northern) to start the programme. The focus of this study, therefore, was to examine the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of both student and teachers participating and those not participating in the sexuality education programme. A questionnaire was developed and administered to both students and teachers. 1230 students and 56 teachers participated in the study. Using a number of statistical methods of analysis (group frequency distribution, independent t – test and simple percentages) the finding revealed interesting outcomes, with specific implications for programme implementation and success in Cross River State. In it we have arguedthat sexuality education is the “de – approach” and if properly implemented would deal with deal the roots of problems associated with reproductive health and rights of adolescents in the society.