Peer Influence and School Climate as Determinants of Sexual Debut of Female In School Adolescents in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract Early sexual debut among female in-school adolescents is associated with adverse health, educational, and psychosocial outcomes, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies, and school dropout. This study examined peer influence and school climate as determinants of sexual debut among female in-school adolescents in Lagos State, Nigeria. Guided by Social Learning Theory, the study used a cross-sectional survey design and included 88 female secondary school students aged 10-19 years, selected through multistage sampling from six public and private secondary schools. We collected data using a structured questionnaire comprising the Delayed Sexual Debut Scale (r = 0.86), Peer Influence Scale (r = 0.89), and School Climate Scale (r = 0.84). We analysed the data using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that 36.4% of the respondents had initiated sexual intercourse. High peer influence significantly increased the likelihood of sexual debut (OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 1.82–5.12, p < 0.05), while a negative school climate was also significantly associated with sexual debut (OR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.27-4.24, p = 0.006). Age was a significant predictor, whereas school type was not. The study concludes that peer influence and school climate are significant determinants of sexual debut among female in-school adolescents in Lagos State. It recommends strengthening positive peer norms, improving school climate, expanding school counselling services, and implementing comprehensive school-based sexual and reproductive health programmes to delay sexual debut among adolescents. Keywords: peer influence, school climate, sexual debut, female in-school adolescents, Lagos State