Citation

Ebong RD. J. R. Soc. Health 1994; 114(3): 137-139.

Affiliation

Department of Physical and Health Education, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7932483

Abstract

In Nigeria, 100 students at the College of Education, Afaha Nsit in Akwa Ibom State and 100 students at the College of Education, Akamkpa in Cross State completed a survey designed to determine their knowledge on the risks of sexual promiscuity. Most students (70% at Afaha Nsit and 62% at Akamkpa) knew about sexual promiscuity. 62% of those at Afaha Nsit and 50% of those at Akamkpa knew that sexually transmitted diseases can be a medical consequence of promiscuity. Less than 30% knew that promiscuity is linked to infertility problems. 56% of students at Afaha Nsit and 51% of those at Akamkpa knew that sexual promiscuity can lead to abortions. 38% of students at Akamkpa and 32% at Afaha Nsit made the connection between promiscuity and poor health. More than 50% in both groups knew that promiscuity reduces marriage options. 48% of students at Afaha Nsit and 42% of those at Akamkpa knew that promiscuity can produce illegitimate children. More than half realized that promiscuity interferes with education plans. Most students in both groups thought that we should consider sexually promiscuous persons as abnormal (65% and 80%, respectively) and as outcasts (68% and 65%, respectively). Most students (65% and 62%, respectively) thought that these individuals need to consult a psychologist. No one thought that society loves sexually promiscuous people. The students identified lack of parental and teacher supervision (60%) as the leading cause of sexual promiscuity. About 20% considered sexual promiscuity to be a leisure time activity. Only about 10% thought that poverty is responsible for promiscuity. These findings show that youths had a concept of unacceptable behavior. They suggest the need for a compulsory course on sex education emphasizing the medical and social consequences of sexual promiscuity in colleges, for parents to become educated on how to raise children to reduce the problems of sexual promiscuity, and for sex education training of teachers.

Language: en