Sexual Behaviours and Reproductive Health Issues among Students in Tertiary Institutions in Delta State: Counselling Implications

Abstract

The study investigated sexual behaviours and reproductive health issues among students in tertiary institutions in Delta State, and discussed their counselling implications. It addressed some relationship issues that confront students at the tertiary education level which include awareness about prventive measures against sexually transmitted infections among sexually active students; young girls resorting to unsafe abortion; high level of sexual abuse and rape; and some female students engaging in part-time prostitution, among others. The study's population consisted of 14,650 first-year students in higher educational institutions in Delta State of Nigeria. Based on willingness to participate, a purposeful sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 3,490 students. A questionnaire on Sexual Behaviour and Reproductive Health Issues (SEBARHI) was developed by the authors and used to collect data on Sexual Behaviour and Reproductive Issues among the students. Data collected was analyzed with descriptive statistics and it was found that a considerable number of undergraduates in the area of study engage in risky sexual behaviour and also demonstrated ignorance of safe reproductive health practices. More female students reported indulging in homosexuality, bisexuality, anal sex, masturbation and threesome sex, amongst others. The counselling implications of the findings of the study were discussed for increasing appropriate awareness of the consequences of risky sexual behaviours, unsafe reproductive health practices and need to seek help from professional counselling practitioners.