Resilience, Attitude Towards Substance Use and Gender as Predisposing Factors of Risky Sexual Activities Among Adolescents in Ibadan Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Adolescent risky sexual behaviour and its consequences are serious problems affecting Nigeria negatively and require research attention to proffer solution. Many studies have focused on peer influence as a facilitative factor of risky sexual behaviour among adolescents. However, literature on predisposing factors among this age cohort is still evolving. This study explored the role of resilience, attitude towards substance use and gender as protective factors against risky sexual activities among adolescents in Ibadan, Oyo Sate, Nigeria. Two hundred adolescents with age range between 10 and 20 years with mean age of 18 years (SD 12.25) were randomly drawn from schools located in Ibadan Metropolis using simple random sampling technique. Three hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Three instruments with satisfactory psychometric properties were used as data source while descriptive statistics and t-test were used as statistical tools. The findings revealed that there was significant difference in risky sexual behaviour between adolescents with high and low resilience (Crit-t 1.987, Cal.t -2.068, df=198, P<0.05). Those with low resilience were more likely to be involved in risky sexual behaviours than their counterpart with high resilience. There was also significance difference in risky sexual behaviour based on either negative or positive attitude towards substance (Crit-t = 1.645, Cal.t = 2.593, df=198, P<0.05 level of significance). Those with positive attitude towards substance use have higher tendency to engage in risky sexual behaviours than their counterpart with negative attitude. Further, there was no significant difference in the risky sexual behaviour of male participants and the female participants. It concluded that resilience and attitude are protective factors against risky sexual behaviours. Preventive interventions may need to focus on gender-informed approaches when targeting risky sexual behaviours. There is also need for training to improve resilience skill of this cohort.