Sex Education and Adoption of Healthy Lifestyle among Secondary School Students in Ogoja Education Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria

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@article{1708786,
      author = {Akpong, Benedict Agiabekong, Modey, Sunday Majuk, Okang, Mercy Agianipe, Ozinko, Ozinko Okpan, Itakwu, Innocent Unimke; Dr. Uzoigwe, Michael Chukwudi},
      title = {Sex Education and Adoption of Healthy Lifestyle among Secondary School Students in Ogoja Education Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2025},
      volume = {8},
      number = {11},
      pages = {1888-1902},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1708786.pdf},
      abstract = {This study investigated the predictive influence of sex education on the adoption of a healthy lifestyle among secondary school students in Ogoja Education Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria. Two research questions were raised and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Anchored on the ex-post facto research design, the study involved 866 senior secondary students selected from a target population of 4,328 students across 82 public secondary schools using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a researcher-developed instrument titled Sex Education and Adoption of Healthy Lifestyle among Students Questionnaire (SEAHLSQ), comprising 30 items on sex education and 12 items on healthy lifestyle adoption. The instrument was validated by experts and demonstrated high internal consistency with reliability coefficients ranging from 0.91 to 0.98. Findings revealed that sex education significantly predicted students? adoption of a healthy lifestyle. Specifically, students who had access to comprehensive information on sexual reproduction, abstinence, birth control, safe sex practices, and the implications of premarital sex exhibited healthier lifestyle choices, such as decent dressing, avoidance of promiscuous behaviour, and better management of their sexual health. The study also found that lack of structured sex education contributed to the prevalence of risky behaviours such as indecent dressing, sexual experimentation, and disregard for school norms. The study concluded that effective sex education is critical to promoting health-conscious behaviours among adolescents. It emphasized that proper handling of sex education topics enables students to internalize positive values, avoid risky behaviours, and make informed decisions about their sexual health. It was recommended that family life education be formally introduced into the school curriculum to empower teenagers with knowledge about the consequences of premarital sex and equip them with the skills necessary to adopt and sustain healthy lifestyles. },
      keywords = {Sex education, healthy lifestyle, secondary school students, adolescent behaviour.},
      month = {May},
  }