School-based survey of adolescents’ opinion on premarital sex in selected secondary schools in Yakurr local government area, Cross river state, Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose : The study examined adolescents’ opinion on premarital sex in selected secondary schools in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State. Method : A cross sectional descriptive survey design was used. The sample size was 313 senior secondary school students from four public secondary schools in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 313 students from 4 schools in Yakurr Local Government Area. Instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.79 using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient reliability method. For the data analysis chi square test analysis and independent t-test analysis were used to test the association and differences between variables at P < 0.05 significant level. Result : The result showed a non statistical association between adolescents’ age on opinion on pre-marital sex when the X 2 calculated of 1.3 was lesser than X 2 critical of 3.841 with 1 degree of freedom. The result also revealed that there was no significant difference between gender and opinion on pre marital sex with calculated t = .324, critical t = 1.96 df 311, P < 0.05. Conclusion/recommendation: The result showed a negative relationship between adolescents’ age and gender on opinion on premarital sex. Based on these findings, the study suggests intensive awareness programme on premarital sex to be carried out in schools for these adolescents that are at risk of exposure to pre marital sex. KEYWORDS : Adolescents, opinion, premarital sex.