Impact of self esteem on risky sexual behaviors among Nigerian adolescents

Abstract

Although improved knowledge is often the first approach in HIV prevention for adolescents, studies have shown that despite being well informed, adolescents still engage in risky sexual behavior (RSB). Low self-esteem has been considered to be a psychological explanation for behavioral problems, but little is known about the impact of self-esteem on RSB among adolescents in Nigeria. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adolescents with high self-esteem demonstrate lower RSB compared to those with low self-esteem. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 361 adolescents in nine secondary schools in Jos Plateau, Nigeria. The Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale was used to measure self-esteem and the Brief HIV Screener (BHS) was used to measure RSB. All data were analyzed using SPSS 21. Chi square and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to determine differences in BHS questions based on predetermined low or high self-esteem categories. Independent t-test were utilized to determine difference in mean BHS scores based on self-esteem categories. Participants were 169 male (46.8%) and 192 female (53.2%) with a mean age of 16.9. Mean self-esteem score was 27.6 with no significant difference in self-esteem scores by gender. Adolescents with low self-esteem were 1.7 times more likely to be sexually active and had a higher mean BHS scores compared to adolescents with high self-esteem. Programs aimed at reducing RSB and in-turn HIV/AIDS should consider interventions to raise adolescents’ self-esteem.

The comparison of spiritual health and self-esteem in women with and without sexual violence

“…In Kim’s study, adolescents who had experienced sexual abuse showed lower self-esteem ( 34 ). These are consistent with other studies ( 35 , 36 ). Our finding is not in accordance with other studies and it might be due to our limited number of subjects in the victim group.…”

Leisure-Time Sedentary Behavior, Alcohol Consumption, and Sexual Intercourse Among Adolescents Aged 12-15 Years in 19 Countries From Africa, the Americas, and Asia

“…Other variables that may explain a proportion of the variation include self-esteem and personality traits. Indeed, both sedentary behavior and risky sexual behavior have been shown to be associated with low self-esteem (29,30) and some aspects of personality (14,31). There may also be direct effects of leisuretime sedentary behavior on sexual activity by sedentary activities providing a setting for intimacy, for example, watching TV.…”

El Papel De La Autoestima en La Prevención Del Vih De Jóvenes Españoles

“…Quizá este aspecto pueda ser explicado por la relación entre alta autoestima y tendencia a la auto-disciplina, control y responsabilidad sobre los propios actos que sugiere Mruk (2013), es decir, puede que los jóvenes con mayor autoestima sean menos flexibles cognitivamente, sientan rechazo y culpabilicen a las personas que han realizado conductas sexuales de riesgo. Por último, los jóvenes con mayor autoestima confirman haber tenido más frecuencia de parejas sexuales, contrariamente a lo obtenido por autores como Enejoh et al (2016). Y también se encuentra una tendencia a realizar más prácticas sexuales de riesgo con parejas estables y a tener menos intención de realizar conductas sexuales seguras con parejas esporádicas, algo contrario también a lo encontrado por Klein et al (2010), Ramiro et al (2013) o Sylvester et al (2014.…”

“…Una parte de los estudios sugiere que una baja autoestima se asocia con relaciones sexuales precoces, mayor número de parejas sexuales, dificultades para la asertividad sexual y mayor frecuencia de prácticas sexuales de riesgo (Enejoh, Pharr, Mavegam, Olutola, Karick y Ezeanolue, 2016;Ethier, Kershaw, Lewis, Milan, Niccolai y Ickovics, 2006;Klein, Elifson y Sterk, 2010;Ramiro, Teva, Bermúdez y Buela-Casal, 2013;Sylvester, 2014). Otra parte de los estudios demuestran que tener una alta autoestima puede influir negativa o positivamente en la salud sexual.…”