Psycho-Social Predictors of Pre-marital Sexual Practices among In-School Adolescents in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

  • Ben N. Ohuruogu Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1991-5492
  • Patricia Ebere Nwazonobi Department of Philosophy, Religion and Peace Studies, Ebonyi State University, Nigeria
  • Patrick Eni Eluu Department of Arts and Social Science Education Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
  • Ede Francisca Nwakaego Department of Educational Foundations, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
  • Abu Sunday Department of Human Kinetics & Health Education, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria
  • Ogueri Emmanuel obinna Department of Health Education, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri
  • Imakwu Veronica Nkechi Department of Technology and Vocational Education, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1234/ijhes.v8i3.384
Keywords: Pre-Marital, Sexual Practices, Psycho-Social Predictors, In-School Adolescents, Ebonyi State

Abstract

Background: Premarital sexual practices particularly in developing countries have continued to spawn public health threats and concerns yet little or no studies have been conducted to unravel the actual predictors. This study aimed to examine the Psycho-Social Predictors of Pre-marital Sexual Practices among In-School Adolescents in Ebonyi State.

Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional survey research design conducted among in-school adolescents’ pre-marital sexual practices in Ebonyi State. 400 samples were selected using multi-stage sampling. The dependent variables is psycho-social predictors of sexual practices among in-school adolescents. The independent variables were age, gender, educational class level, self-esteem, peer group, parental involvement, and religious background. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled, Psycho-Social Predictors of Pre-Marital Sexual Practices Questionnaire (PSPSPQ). Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, T-test, and Simple Linear Regression Analysis.

Results: The findings from the bivariate analysis show that age (p=0.002), education (p=0.018), and gender (p=0.025),are significants and high predictors of in-school adolescents' pre-marital Sexual practices in Ebonyi State. Further, the result of the t-test and Simple Linear Regression Analysis revealed that self-esteem (β= 0.531; CI 95% = 0.376 to 0.519; P=0.001< 0.05); peer group (β=0.443; CI 95% = 0.359 to 0.542; P=0.010< 0.05), religious background (β=0.162; CI 95% = 0.060 - 0.245; P = 0.001< 0.05); and family background (β=0.483; CI 95% = 0.471 - 0.682; P = 0.020< 0.05) are high predictors of in-school adolescents' pre-marital Sexual practices in Ebonyi State.

Conclusions: A significant proportion of in-school adolescents were engaged in pre-marital sexual practices due topsycho-social factors like self-esteem, family factors, peer group, and religious background, age, gender, and educational class level. Thus, public health interventions are required with a special focus on psycho-social factors.

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Published
2025-03-30
How to Cite
Ohuruogu, B. N., Nwazonobi, P. E., Eluu, P. E., Nwakaego, E. F., Sunday, A., obinna, O. E., & Nkechi, I. V. (2025). Psycho-Social Predictors of Pre-marital Sexual Practices among In-School Adolescents in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. International Journal of Health, Education & Social (IJHES), 8(3), 85-102. https://doi.org/10.1234/ijhes.v8i3.384
Issue
Vol 8 No 3 (2025): International Journal of Health, Education & Social (IJHES)
Section
Articles

Copyright (c) 2025 Ben N. Ohuruogu, Patricia Ebere Nwazonobi, Patrick Eni Eluu, Ede Francisca Nwakaego, Abu Sunday, Ogueri Emmanuel obinna, Imakwu Veronica Nkechi

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.