Risk Perception, Self- Efficacy and Gender as Predictors of Adolescents' Sexual Behaviour in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Adolescents' sexual behaviour remains an interesting area of concern and study given the rates of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and incidences of unintended pregnancies among adolescents in this present generation. As such, this research examined the relationship between risk perception, self – efficacy and gender as predictors of adolescents' sexual behaviour in Benue State, Nigeria using a cross –sectional survey design. A total of 1177 in – school adolescents comprising of 430(36.5%) males and females, 747(63.5%) within the age range of 15 – 24 participated in the study. They were all in senior secondary category (SSS 1 – 3) from 10 schools in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. Instruments used to collect data were the Sexual Risk Perception Questionnaire (SRPQ) by Shah, Thornton & Burgess (1997), the General Self – efficacy Scale by Jerusalem & Schwarzer (1993) and the Sexual Behaviour Questionnaire adopted from the Youth Risk Behaviour Scale (YRBS). All these three standardised instruments were previously validated on a sample of 298 participants in senior secondary school (SSS) from two secondary schools in Makurdi. Four hypotheses were formulated and tested using Linear Regression Analysis. Relationships between the independent variables on the dependent variables were measured to test predictability. A moderator variable was used to test moderating effects between the independent variables and the dependent variable.  Results of the study revealed a significant positive relationship between risk perception and adolescents' sexual behaviour; there was a statistically significant relationship between self – efficacy and adolescents' sexual behaviour; and self – efficacy significantly predicted adolescents' sexual behaviour. However, gender did not statistically predict adolescents' sexual behaviour. The moderator variable, age at first sex tested statistically significant on risk perception and adolescents' sexual behaviour. The findings were interpreted in line with literature earlier reviewed. It should be noted that adolescents' sexual behaviour deserves research attention because it serves not only the interest of adolescents' sexual and reproductive well – being but also it is a landmark in the appraisal of national and global development.