RISKY SEXUAL AND HEALTH BEHAVIOURS AND IMPACT ON PSYCHO-SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF ADOLESCENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

<p>Adolescents due to the experimentation and exploration drive that characterize the period often engage in risky sexual and health behaviours being ignorant of the consequences on their health and psychological well-being. The study adopted ex-post-facto research design to find out risky sexual and health behaviours and impact on psycho-social development of adolescents in tertiary institutions in Enugu state. Four research questions guided the study. A total of 300 students in 300 and 400 levels in three selected higher institutions in Enugu state formed the sample of the study. Data were collected through questionnaire of 40 items to elicit information on the impact of risky sexual and health behaviours on psycho-social development of adolescents. The instrument was validated by experts in education. Reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha and an alpha coefficient of 0.78 was obtained. Research questions were answered using frequencies, percentages and mean. Result revealed the prevalence of risky sexual and health behaviours among adolescents in tertiary institutions in Enugu state. It also revealed that risky sexual and health behaviours are associated with frustration, low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, sense of regret, abandonment by parents/siblings and loss of self-respect among others. The researchers recommend family interventions (good parental training and monitoring), counseling and rehabilitation services, emotional regulation skills and self-management skills training.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0856/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>