PATTERN OF RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE

Abstract

Adolescents and other young persons (AYP) are important because of their sheer size. In Nigeria, twenty-one million persons representing 25% of the population are adolescents. Although adolescents are generally a healthy segment of the society, threats to their health often stem from their practice of risky behaviours. Many of the previous studies on adolescents in Nigeria focused on single risky behaviour, rather than multiple risky behaviours, which usually combine to undermine the health of adolescents. The objective of this study was to document the prevalence of multiple risky behaviour among secondary students In Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State. Nigeria. This descriptive study was conducted among students in four secondary schools randomly selected by balloting in the LGA. In each selected school, two arms - one for the Senior Secondary School One (SSS1) and another for the Senior Secondary School Two (SSSII) were selected by balloting for the interview. All the students found in each selected arm participated in the study. Four Focus Group Discussions (FGDS) were conducted among the students, while four in-depth interviews were conducted with the counselors of the schools. A pretested questionnaire was used to document socio-demographic information, alcohol and the use of other drugs, unsafe sexual behavior and drunk driving among 609 students. FGD findings showed that the students consider smoking, alcohol consumption and abortion among others as constituting risky behavior. The finding of the (IDI) revealed that smoking and truancy were perceived as the risky behaviours. The questionnaire sample consisted of slightly more males 316 (51.9%) than females 293 (48.1%). The mean age was 15.7years (SD±2.1). A total of 223(36.6%) consisting of 126(56.5%) males and 97(43.5%) females had ever taken alcohol Forty-five (7.4%) subjects had ever smoked cigarettes. Of these, thirty-three (73.3%) were current smokers. The other drugs abused were glue 23(3.8%). cocaine 19(3.1%), cannabis 23(3.8%) and heroin 14(2.3%). Out of the 188(30.9%) students that had had sex, 73(38.8%) did not use condom during the last sexual encounter, Seventy two (10 2%) respondents had driven a motorcycle while drunk. A total of 74 respondents (12. 2%) used alcohol and had sex without condom. Fifteen (2.5%) respondents engaged in three risk behaviours (alcohol use, sex without condom and cigarette smoking), while nine (15%) engaged in all risk behaviours examined. More male 42 (13.3%) than females 17 (5 8%) participated in multiple risks, and more SS2 students 33(10.9%) than SS1 26(8.6%). More students between 14 - 17 years appealed to have participated in risky practices (67.3%) than younger (9.7%) and older adolescents (4.8%) (P=0 0000). In conclusion, many adolescents in this study had participated in risky behaviours, which can undermine their health. Peer education and training of teachers are effective ways to help the students reduce involvement in risky practices.