Attitudes and Awareness of Female Teenagers towards Sex Education in a Secondary School in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Introduction: Sex education remains a controversial topic across many regions of Nigeria despite its vital role in promoting adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Understanding the perspectives of female adolescents is essential for designing effective school-based interventions. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2024 among 100 female secondary school students aged 13–19 years in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select participants from the SS1 to SS3 classes. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire with a 4-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics summarised socio-demographic characteristics, awareness, and attitudes toward sex education. Results: Respondents demonstrated high awareness, with 84% acknowledging that sex education improves self-esteem and 82% affirming that it enhances communication skills. Attitudes were generally positive, as 79% recognized that teenagers hold varying perspectives on sex education, and 74% agreed it promotes responsible behaviour. However, major barriers included inadequate parent-child communication (97%), insufficiently trained teachers (89%), religious opposition (94%), and overloaded curriculum (74%). Conclusion: Female secondary school students exhibit high awareness and positive attitudes toward sex education, yet institutional and sociocultural barriers impede effective implementation. Multi-level interventions addressing teacher training, parental engagement, and culturally sensitive curriculum integration are urgently needed.