PriMera Scientific Surgical Research and Practice (ISSN: 2836-0028)

Research Article

Volume 1 Issue 6

Sexual Behaviors and Its Consequences among Adolescents in two Secondary Schools in Bonaberi-Ndobo, Cameroon

Basil Kum Meh*, Blessing Chukwuma Chidera, Thelma Akah Eni, Ruth Achou Mbong, Mary Progress Sih Fung, Harry Mbacham Fon, Gratitude Lekunkeng Nchinju

May 15, 2023

View PDF

Abstract

Most adolescents are sexually active, but the age at which they start having sexual intercourse varies between regions, and within a country. This study aims to assess the sexual behaviours and its consequences among unmarried adolescents in two secondary schools in Bonaberi-Ndobo, Douala, Cameroon. A cross-sectional study was carried out from January to February 2023 among 134 unmarried adolescents. The study population included all unmarried adolescent at St. BC and N.M.C who gave their consent and where able to take part in this study. Data was collected with the used of structured questionnaires and inputted in Microsoft excel and analysed using SPSS version 23. With a 5% confidential interval. Among the 134 study participants who responded to the questionnaire, majority 110(82.1%) were female. 68(50.7%) were aged between 12 to 17 years. All the study participants (100%) had knowledge on sexual behaviours, and the main source of information was from school (57.4%). 56.7% (78) reported that they have had sexual intercourse before and majority of them declared that they preferred vaginal sex (42.5%). 66.4% (89) did not use condom during sexual intercourse and about 19.4% have more than one sexual partners. 16.4% have once contracted a sexually transmitted infection, 9% have had an unintended pregnancy and 4.2% have repeated a class. All the study participants had knowledge on sexual behaviours. More than half of the study population have had sexual intercourse at least once and without the use of condoms. A non-negligible proportion of the adolescents had multiple sexual partners. Sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies and school dropout were the main consequences of sexual behaviours as reported in this study.

Keywords: Sexual behaviour; consequences; adolescents; secondary schools

References

  1. Singh JA., et al. “World Health Organization Guidance on Ethical Considerations in Planning and Reviewing Research Studies on Sexual and Reproductive Health in Adolescents”. J Adolesc Health 64.4 (2019): 427-429.
  2. Gupta SS., et al. “Gender power dynamics in rural area of India”. Int J Med Sci Public Health 6 (2017): 1473-1480.
  3. Sawyer SM., et al. “The age of adolescence”. Lancet Child Adolescent Health 2.3 (2018): 223-228.
  4. Yasmine Rola., et al. “Postponing Sexual Debut among University Youth: How Do Men and Women Differ in Their Perceptions, Values and Non-Penetrative Sexual Practices?”. Culture, Health & Sexuality 17.5/6 (2015).
  5. Wirsiy FS., et al. “Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of HIV among Pregnant Adolescent and Adolescent Mothers in the Kombo West District of Cameroon”. J Infect Dis Epidermiology 5 (2019): 074.
  6. Rita Muso., et al. “Sexual and reproductive health knowledge of secondary school adolescents in Fako, Cameroon”. Pan Afr Med J 41 (2022): 340.
  7. Maes C, Van Oosten J and Vandenbosch L. “Adolescents’ Digital Media Interactions within the Context of Sexuality Development”. In J. Nesi, E. Telzer, & M. Prinstein (Eds.), Handbook of Adolescent Digital Media Use and Mental Health; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (2022): 135-161.
  8. C Millanzi W. “Adolescents’ World: Know One Tell One against Unsafe Sexual Behaviours, Teenage Pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections Including Chlamydia [Internet]”. Infectious Diseases; Intech Open (2022): 1541-1548.
  9. Janighorban M., et al. “Barriers to vulnerable adolescent girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health”. BMC Public Health 22 (2022): 2212.
  10. Srahbzu M and Tirfeneh E. “Risky Sexual Behavior and Associated Factors among Adolescents Aged 15-19 Years at Governmental High Schools in Aksum Town, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2019: An Institution-Based, Cross-Sectional Study”. Biomed Res Int 21 (2020): 3719845.  
  11. Gebhard Paul Henry. "Human sexual activity". Encyclopedia Britannica (2023).
  12. Isaksen KJ, Musonda P and Sandøy IF. “Parent-child communication about sexual issues in Zambia: a cross sectional study of adolescent girls and their parents”. BMC Public Health 20 (2020): 1120.
  13. Ezumah Nkoli., et al. “Adolescents' Perceptions About Dating and Sexual Permissiveness in Ebonyi State, Nigeria: What Can Be Done to Enhance Adolescents' Sexual Health and Well-Being”. Frontiers in Reproductive Health 3 (2021).
  14. Tarkang EE., et al. “Highly prevalent at-risk sexual behaviours among out-of-school youths in urban Cameroon”. Pan Afr Med J 30 (2018): 254.
  15. Curtis Alexa C. "Defining adolescence". Journal of Adolescent and Family Health 7.2 (2015).
  16. Jaworska N and MacQueen G. “Adolescence as a unique developmental period”. J Psychiatry Neurosci 40.5 (2015): 291-3.
  17. Kassahun EA., et al. "Factors associated with early sexual initiation among preparatory and high school youths in Woldia town, northeast Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study". BMC Public Health 19.1 (2019): 378.
  18. Houghton C. Opinionated Poets, Opinionated Lovers: Callimachus and Martial on Social and Sexual Behavior (2020): 5-4.
  19. Essiben F., et al. “Adolescent Sexual Behavior in an Urban Area of a Resource-Limited African Country, Cameroon”. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 9.6 (2019): 923-935.
  20. Valencia R., et al. “Sexual risk behaviors in adolescent sexual minority males: A systematic review and meta-analysis”. The Journal of Primary Prevention 39 (2018): 619-645.
  21. Noubiap JJN., et al. “Prevalence and correlates of HIV-risky sexual behaviors among students attending the Medical and Social Welfare Center of the University of Maroua, Cameroon”. BMC Res Notes 8 (2015): 635.
  22. Foumane P., et al. “Sexual activity of adolescent school girls in an urban secondary school in Cameroon”. Journal of Reproduction & Infertility 14.2 (2013): 85-9.
  23. Kang M., et al. “Sexual behaviour, sexually transmitted infections and attitudes to chlamydia testing among a unique national sample of young Australians: baseline data from a randomised controlled trial”. BMC Public Health 14 (2014): 12.
  24. Mcharo RD., et al. “Risky sexual behaviours among young adults attending Higher Learning Institutions in Mbeya, Tanzania: implications for STIs and HIV preventive programs”. AAS Open Res 3 (2021): 41.
  25. Engen Ida Kristin. “Adolescent reproductive health in Cameroon: prevention of adolescent pregnancies through access to sexual and reproductive health measures in Cameroon”. Master thesis (2013).
  26. Tarkang Elvis. “Condom Use and Number of Sexual Partners among Secondary School Female Students in an Urban City of Cameroon”. Rwanda Journal of Health Sciences (2013): 2.
  27. Bonar EE., et al. “Sexually Transmitted Infection History among Adolescents Presenting to the Emergency Department”. J Emerg Med 49.5 (2015): 613-22.
  28. Sidze EM and Defo BK. “Effects of parenting practices on sexual risk-taking among young people in Cameroon”. BMC Public Health 13 (2013): 616.
  29. Essiben F., et al. “Adolescent Sexual Behavior in an Urban Area of a Resource-Limited African Country, Cameroon”. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 9 (2019): 923-935.
  30. Sekirime WK., et al. “Knowledge, attitude and practice about sexually transmitted diseases among university students in Kampala". Afr Health Sci 1.1 (2001): 16-22.