Sexual Behaviour and Reproductive Health Among Female Senior Secondary School Students in Abakaliki LGA; Ebonyi State

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the sexual behaviour and reproductive health amongst female senior secondary school students. Methods: Using cross-sectional descriptive study 374 students were studied. Information was collected on their sexual behaviours; knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs); prevalence of induced abortion and knowledge of health consequences of these practices. Results: Of the 81 (21.7) sexually active students; pressure from friends in 24.7; and desire for sex in 23.5were the commonest reasons for having sex. The modal age at debut sexual encounter was 15 - 19 years. Condom use was reported in 58 this was neither associated with age; class nor knowledge of STIs. Knowledge of sexually transmitted infections; including HIV was reported by 43.9 this was not influenced by age or class. There was also no association between ever having had sex and knowledge of STIs. However; there was a statistically significant association between knowledge of STIs and both mother's (p