Perceived Influence of Sex Education on Relationships among Biology Students in Senior Secondary Schools in Abia State

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the perceived influence of sex education on relationships among biology students in senior secondary schools in Abia State. A descriptive survey design guided the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to get a sample size of 270 biology students in Senior Secondary School II and III classes. The sample comprised 105 male students and 165 female students. Four research questions were answered and four null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The instrument used for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire. Test-retest method was used to establish a reliability coefficient of 0.81 for the instrument. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics of mean for the research questions and Z-test for the hypotheses. The study found among others that sex education reduces the incidence of unwanted pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections/Diseases by encouraging students involved in intimate (sexual) relationships to return to abstinence, or use condoms and other contraceptives if they must engage in sexual activities. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that age-appropriate comprehensive sex education should be made a compulsory subject in all levels of secondary education to encourage biology students in intimate relationships to abstain from sexual activities or protect themselves if they must engage in sexual activities.