1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
In developing nations, student sexuality and contraception are pressing public health issues. Although the majority of Nigerians are aware that HIV/AIDS is an inevitable illness, those who engage in sexual activity sometimes neglect to take the required safety measures to stop the virus from spreading. Adolescents and young people are most at risk of having STDs if contraceptives are not used properly or are disregarded, as they are more likely to engage in promiscuous sexual behaviour with several partners.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, where an estimated 14 million people are HIV positive, heterosexual transmission is responsible for up to 90% of HIV/AUID cases. About a million persons in Nigeria may be HIV positive, according to the federal ministry of health and human services (FMH & HS 1992). Due to the significant risk of sexual conduct, its prevalence is rising. Globally, those under 25 are primarily affected by these STDs illnesses. It has been demonstrated by a number of educators that young people frequently know very little or nothing about reproduction and are ignorant about prevention and using contraception. Undergraduate student populations are particularly high in terms of pregnancy and STDs. The majority of these pregnancies are undesired and unforeseen. They are often terminated illegally by quark doctors in the dark. About 600,000 clandestine abortions took place in Nigeria in the 1980s some of which had disasters consequences for the abortion seekers (African Journal of Reproductive Health, 2002).
Youth without children are often expected to abstain from sexual activity before to marriage in Nigeria. Premarital behaviour is common among teenagers, according to research. There are significant worries regarding teenagers voiced by the government, parents, and NGOS. sexual activity based on evidence from the board that teens who participate in sexual activity, whether orally or otherwise, frequently forget to take contraception, putting them at risk for unintended pregnancy as well as STDs and other illnesses.
The majority of Nigeria's higher education institutions have an age restriction of 16 to 18 years old. Accordingly, most undergraduate students are between the ages of late teens and early twenties. The majority of them reside in rental flats near to their institutions and in school dorms, living away from home. Parental oversight and control over their children's activities is weakened under this arrangement. They frequently encounter peer pressure that promotes casual sexual relationships, and they must make difficult decisions regarding their social and reproductive life on their own. Due to cultural views held by parents and guardians against the use of contraceptives and fear of adverse effects, Nigerian students unfortunately have a relatively low rate of contraceptive use.
Additional factors contributing to the sexuality of undergraduates include the absence of sex education from the Nigerian secondary school curriculum and the lack of clear regulations in the majority of Nigeria's higher education institutions regarding the provision of reproductive health services, including contraception, to its students. This research is being done to find out how students' sexual orientation and use of contraception connect to their knowledge of HIV infection.
1.2 Statement of the Problems
Investigation revealed that exposure to western media and alterations in the social milieu appear to have had a significant impact on African students' sexuality. The topic of sexuality and contraception cannot be overstated in a nation such as Nigeria, where students are regarded as some of the most sexually active globally.
Sexual taboos, rites, and cleaning practices were traditionally passed down in combination with formal ceremonies like initiation or circumcision in many African civilizations, according to Gueye et al. (2001). The societal support and resources for teenagers experiencing sexual health issues are becoming less prevalent as a result of the conventional structure's waning influence.
Furthermore, considering sexuality and contraception will inevitably bring up a few contentious societal topics, such as homosexuality and sexual promiscuity. The risk of HIV transmission is increased, according to Cameroon (1989), by STDS including Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Cancroids, and Trichomoniasis. The sexuality and use of contraception among College of Education students in Ekiadolor, Edo State, is the subject of this research study.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Contraception and Sexuality Among Students of College of Education. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To enlighten young undergraduates and the public in general on the importance and uses of contraceptive;
- To investigate sexuality and the use of contractive among students;
- To determine the extent of contraceptive usage among students; and
- To educate students on the issues of sexuality and the use of contraceptive, to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases among students.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The goal of this study is to lower parental interest in providing sex education at home by identifying the roles that parents play in their children's sexual and contraceptive activity. Without a doubt, it will encourage more study to forecast contraceptive behaviour, which will help with the creation and execution of successful preventative and intervention initiatives, particularly those that address STD-related concerns. Experts in sexuality who are active in the creation and promotion of safer sex pregnancies will find this to be beneficial as well. It will significantly impact medical concerns like as family planning, the rate at which STDs are contracted, and the efficacy of contraception.
It will also help to identify students who either use or misuse contraceptive method, thereby putting them at risk of unwanted pregnancy, AIDS and other sexually transmitted disease. It will also be of importance in educating the undergraduate on the choice of contraceptive methods. Conclusively, it is envisaged that this study will contribute meaningfully to the ongoing debate on the strategies for educating students on sexuality and contraception.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Can the knowledge of sex education reduce promiscuity among undergraduates?
- Is there any relationship between the knowledge of sex education and the usage of contraceptives?
- Does peer group play significant role in undergraduate sexuality?
- Does the knowledge/usage of contraceptives increase sexuality among the undergraduates?
1.6 Scope of Study
The scope of this research is focused on Contraception and Sexuality Among Students of College of Educatio, Warri, Delta State.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint:
The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint:
Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents:
A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Sexuality:
The things people do and feel that are connected with their desire or ability to have sex.
Contraception:
The practice of making it possible for a woman to have sex without having baby or the methods for doing this, birth control.
Contraceptive:
A drug, object or method used to make it possible for a woman to have sex without having a baby or contracting an STD.
Pregnancy:
The condition of being pregnant
Sex:
It refers to the activity in which a male and female join their sexual organs in order to create babies or for pleasure.
STD:
It is an acronym for Sexually transmitted disease
STI:
It is an acronym for sexually immunodeficiency virus
HIV:
It is an acronym for Human Immunodeficiency virus
AIDS:
It is an acronym for Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Heterosexual:
It is sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.
Promiscuity:
It means having sex with a lot of people indiscriminately.
Undergraduate:
A student who is doing a University course for a first degree
Sex Education:
Education given to students about the physical process and emotions involved in sex.
