Abstract
The sexual behavior of 539 Nigerian female students comprising 387 adults and 152 teenagers was studied. The overall incidence of sexual activity among the students was 51.2%. The incidence of sexual intercourse was significantly higher among adult students (61.0%) compared with teenagers (26.3%) (p<0.0005). There was no significant difference in the mean age at sexual debut for the adult students (18.7±3.2) compared with the teenage population (16.1±1.7). The frequency of sexual exposure was also not significantly different in the two groups (4.1±6.1 times per month for the adult students and 3.6±5.9 times per month for the teenage students). However, pregnancy occurred more often among the adult students (38.1%) than among the teenagers (15.0%) (p<0.005).
This article looks at the psychosocial implications of adolescent sexuality and the overall relevance of adequate reproductive health education in encouraging responsible attitudes regarding sexuality among teenagers.
Resumé
On a étudié le comportement sexuel de 539 étudiantes nigérianes, dont 387 adultes et 152 adolescentes. Pour l'ensemble, l'incidence d'activité sexuelle était de 51,2%, les rapports sexuels ayant été significativement plus fréquents chez les étudiantes adultes (61%) que chez les adolescentes (26,3%) (p<0,0005). Aucune différence significative n'a été retrouvée pour l'âge moyen du début de l'activité sexuelle entre le groupe d'adultes (18,7±3,2) et celui d'adolescentes (16,1±1,7). La différence n'était pas significative non plus en ce qui concerne la fréquence des rapports sexuels dans les deux groupes (4,1 ±6,1 fois par mois pour les adultes et 3,6±5,9 fois par mois pour les adolescentes), cependant que les grossesses se sont produites plus souvent chez les adultes (38,1%) que chez les adolescentes (15%) (p<0,005).
Cet article examine ce qu'implique, du point de vue psycho-social, la sexualité des adolescentes et la pertinence générale d'une éducation adéquate sur la santé en matière de fonction reproductive, en vue d'encourager une attitude responsable à l'égard de la sexualité des adolescents.
Resumen
Se estudió la conducta sexual de 539 estudiantes nigerianas que comprendían 387 estudiantes adultas y 152 adolescentes. La incidencia general de actividad sexual entre las estudiantes fue del 51,2%. La incidencia de relaciones sexuales fue significativamente mayor entre las estudiantes adultas (61,0%) en comparación con la de las adolescentes (26,3%) (p<0,0005). No hubo ninguna diferencia significativa en la edad media de la primera relación sexual en el caso de las estudiantes adultas (18,7±3,2) en comparación con las adolescentes (16,1±1,7). La frecuencia de exposición sexual tampoco fue significativamente diferente en los dos grupos (4,1±6,1 veces por mes en el caso de las estudiantes adultas y 3,6±5,9 veces por mes en el de las adolescentes). Sin embargo, los embarazos se registraron con mayor frecuencia entre las estudiantes adultas (38,1%) que entre las adolescentes (15,0%) (p<0,005).
En este artículo se examina la repercusión psicosocial de la sexualidad adolescente y la pertinencia general de una educación adecuada de la salud reproductora para alentar actitudes responsables entre las adolescentes con respecto a la sexualidad.
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Adinma, J.I.BD., Agbai, A.O. & Okeke, A.O. Sexual behavior and pregnancy among Nigerian students. Adv Contracept 10, 265–270 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01984124
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01984124