Understanding Peer Sexual Norms, Attitudes, and Pressure: Correlates of Risky Sexual Behaviours among Secondary School Adolescents in Anambra State, Nigeria

Aims: Sexual behaviour initiation often takes place throughout adolescence and is typically linked to engaging in unprotected sexual practices and other high-risk sexual behaviours. This research investigated the correlation between peer sexual behaviour, sexual attitudes, pressure to engage in sexual activity, and sexual risk behaviours among secondary school adolescents in Anambra State. Methodology: The study was carried out with a correlational research approach. The research included 1,200 individuals from a population of 19,048 SS2 teenagers in public secondary schools. Cronbach's Alpha statistics were used to evaluate the internal consistency of three scales: the Brief Sexual Attitudes Scale (BSAS), the Pressure to Have Sex Questionnaire (PTHSQ), and the modified Sexual Risk Behaviour Scale (SRBS). The reliability coefficients for the Adolescent Sexual Behaviour Index (ASBI) were 0.86, 0.96, and 0.80, respectively. The reliability index of the ASBI was determined using Kuder Richardson statistics, resulting in a coefficient of 0.86. The data was obtained by directly administering the instruments and processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Pearson Product Moment Correlation is a statistical measure that quantifies the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two variables. Coefficients were used to address the research enquiries, while the null hypotheses were examined using a t-test to determine significant association. Results: The results indicated a weak positive association between the sexual conduct of peers, sexual attitudes, and pressure to engage in sexual activity, and sexual risk behaviours among secondary school teenagers in Anambra State. Furthermore, the findings demonstrated a notable association between these variables and the sexual risk behaviours of secondary school adolescents in Anambra State. Conclusion: Based on these data, it was determined that there is a weak positive link between peer sexual behaviour, sexual attitude, peer pressure to engage in sexual activity, and unsafe sexual behaviours among secondary school teenagers in Anambra State. Given this information, it is advisable for school administrators to establish health initiatives aimed at assisting young people in adopting enduring sexual habits that promote their overall health and well-being. These practices should also aim to minimise their susceptibility to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.