Sex Education and Teenage Pregnancy among Upper UBE Learners in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined sex education and teenage pregnancy among upper UBE learners in Yala LGA of Cross River State, Nigeria. Three research questions were posed and converted to three null hypotheses. Literature review was carried out based on the variables under study. Survey research design was used for the study. A simple random sampling technique was used in selecting the 200 primary five pupils from 10 public primary schools. A validated 20 items four-point modified Likert scale response option questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation was used to test the hypotheses at 0.5 level of significance. The result revealed that there is a significant relationship between parental involvement, peer influence, and socio-economic factors and teenage pregnancy among upper UBE learners. It is recommended among others that, relevant agencies, ministries and departments should consistently educate parents/guidance not to be shy in advising their children on sex issues, parents should also deviate from attitudes or lifestyle that grants permission to the child(ren) to be wayward. Cultural norms that allow the girl child to expose her body should be avoided. Teenagers should set achievable educational goals and disregard any distraction that is capable of cutting short their educational attainments.

Keywords: Sex education, teenage, pregnancy, upper UBE learners, peer influence, parental involvement and socioeconomic factors