European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SEX EDUCATION AMONG STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA SECONDARY SCHOOL, ENUGU CAMPUS, NIGERIA

Okafor Oluchi Kizito, *Ani Celestine Okafor, Onah Emmanuel Sunday, Ugwu Valentine Ifebuchechukwu, Chime Pascal Uwadiegwu, Agbor Joseph Ikenna, Uzoigwe Soky Okaibe, Nwankwo Victor Ugochukwu, Ejim Nnamdi Ferdinand

ABSTRACT

Sex health is an essential part of adolescent development. Sex education is important to provide information on
body development. Sexually transmitted diseases and its prevention. This study aimed at determining the
knowledge, attitude and significance of sex education among secondary school students in University of Nigeria
secondary school Enugu campus, Nigeria: This study was a cross sectional study which involved a total of 368
students of University of Nigeria secondary school Enugu campus that were issued a questionnaire between the
age bracket 20-22 the largest percentage of respondents, 58.2% (214) are those within the age of 13-15 years.
Majority were males and these constituted about 240 (67.9%). The classes had equal sizes of 184(50%) each.
Majority, 363 (98.6%) were Igbo's and about 365 (99.2%) were Christians. Majority of respondents, 261(70.9%)
had knowledge of sex education. Most of the respondents 163 (30.7%) agreed their source was from school. The
rest 69.3% heard from other sources. On sex education, majority 24(145%) said it was all about teaching various
topics on sex education. Many participants, 220 (59.8%) did not know the types of sex education. Only 148
(40.2%) agreed to knowing the types. On the types, majority 76(20.7%) agreed to comprehensive sex education
types. Majority of participants, 235 had not attended sex education program in the past. Out of those who had
attended, 64.7% had done so only once. Majority 267 (72.6%) agreed that sex education was not given much
attention in secondary school. 329 (89.4%) agreed that sex education helps sexual behavior and decision making
among adolescents. Majority, 295 (80.2%) agreed that it should be added to school curriculum. On parental role,
193(52.4%) agreed parents should be involved in sex education. Only 70 (19%) agreed sex education is not a
waste of time. Majority, 300(81.5%) agreed that sex education can prevent unwanted pregnancy. 254 (69%)
agreed that they feel comfortable discussing sex education with their parents and siblings. 304(82.6%) agreed it is
an important aspect of one's life. Majority, 273 (74.2%) however agreed that it can lead to promiscuity in
secondary school. 192 (53.2%) said sex education should not only be taught by parents. 222 (60.3%) agreed it can
lead to sexual debut in early life. Majority, 223 (60.9%) says Nigerian educational system is not ready for sex
education. 302(82.1%) said sex education is an important subject matter. Majority, 264(71.7) said they are
comfortable being taught sex education in class. Generally, the level of knowledge among respondents was poor
as only 140(38%) had good knowledge. On attitude and significance, 341 (92.7%) showed good attitude and
significance. There is good attitude, but poor knowledge of sex education among secondary school students in
University of Nigeria secondary school Enugu campus. Sex education is important especially to developing
adolescents, so we recommend that families should teach their children sex education. Schools and other
institutions of higher learning should focus on sex education and create more programs to further increase the level
of sex education knowledge and government should create sex education friendly programs to educate
adolescents.

Keywords: Secondary School, Students, Sex Education, Knowledge, Attitude And Significance.