PATTERNS OF UNSAFE SEXUAL ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES AMONG STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NASARAWA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to find out the patterns of unsafe sexual attitude and practices among students of tertiary institutions in Nasarawa state. To achieve the purpose of this study, four specific objectives with corresponding research questions were posed and four null hypotheses postulated. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population for the study was 27,879 students while multi-stage sampling procedure was used to draw a sample of 696 students for the study. The instruments used for the data collection was the 25 item researcher design questionnaire called unsafe sexual attitudes and practices  questionnaire (PUSAPQ) and the focus group discussion guide(FGD). The research questions were answered using means and percentages while null hypotheses were tested using the t-Tests, and Chi-square statistics. The following results were obtained: The students exhibited negative attitudes towards unsafe sex ( x =2.45 < 2.50) while overall 24.9% practiced unsafe sex. Both male and female students indicated negative attitude towards unsafe sex with male slightly higher than female students (male x = 2.49 > female 2.38). Male practiced unsafe sex more than female counterparts (male = 29.9% > female = 27.5%). Based on the findings and conclusions the researcher recommended intensification of campaign against unsafe sexual attitudes and practices, youth empowerment programmes, incorporation of comprehensive sexuality education in general studies courses in all the tertiary institutions in the state.