Sexual behaviour and contraceptive use among secondary school adolescents in Benin City, Nigeria

This study was designed to examine sexual behaviour and contraceptive use among in-school adolescents in Benin City, Nigeria. A random sample of 431 females and 440 males aged 14-21 years from secondary schools in Benin City, Nigeria, were interviewed using a structured pretested questionnaire. The results show that 23% of the females and 40% of males had initiated sexual intercourse. Among those who had done so, the median age at first sexual debut was 16.8 years for girls and 15.4 years for boys. Only 22.2% of females and 23.9% of males used contraception at first sexual intercourse. Use of contraception among sexually active adolescents at last sexual debut declined to 18.6% for females and 22.2% for males. Forty-two per cent of sexually active adolescents engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour. In conclusion, the low prevalence of effective contraceptive use and time-related decline in usage indicate a need for greater emphasis on sex education aimed at adolescents in Nigeria.