Knowledge of Premarital Sex and Its Health Implications among Undergraduates in Tertiary Institutions in South West, Nigeria

This study investigated the knowledge of premarital sex and its health implications among undergraduates in tertiary institutions in South West, Nigeria. The study also determined the influence of demographic variables like, age, sex, parents’ level of education and social status of students and their attitude towards premarital sex. The study adopted the descriptive research of the survey type; population composed of all students undergoing full-time study in tertiary institutions in South West Nigeria. The sample was 1,800 students from three states (Ekiti, Osun and Lagos States). Three tertiary institutions, one from each State in South West Nigeria, were used. Multi-stage random sampling techniques were used to select the sample for the study. The instrument used to collect data for the study was tagged "Knowledge of Premarital Sex and Its Health Implications among undergraduates in Tertiary Institutions in South Western States, Nigeria (KPSHI)”. Validation of the instrument was done by experts, while the reliability was carried out using the test-retest method; a co-efficient of 0.85 was obtained. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that undergraduates engaged in premarital sex and they also know the health implications. Based on the findings, it was recommended that enlightenment campaign through mass and social media should be carried out by the management of tertiary institution to enlighten the students and change their attitudes towards premarital sex.