Effect of School-Based Prevention Programme on Sexual Behaviour Toward Human Immune Deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome among In-School Adolescdents in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The persistence of risky sexual behaviour among adolescents in Nigeria continues to pose significant public health concerns, especially in relation to the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Despite existing health education initiatives, adolescent sexuality remains poorly regulated, increasing vulnerability to HIV infection. This study investigated the effect of School-Based Prevention Programmes (SBPP) on sexual behaviour of in-school adolescents in Anambra State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examined the influence of SBPP on sexual behaviour, the moderating effect of gender and the interaction between treatment and gender. A quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group was adopted. A total of 143 Senior Secondary II students from two co-educational public schools participated. The experimental group received SBPP, while the control group received conventional instruction. The Sexual Behaviour Questionnaire for Adolescents (SBQA) was used for data collection, and reliability analysis yielded a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.84. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and 2 × 2 ANCOVA. Results showed that SBPP significantly reduced risky sexual behaviour (F(1,138)=82.40, p<0.001, partial η²=0.383), with no significant effect of gender (F(1,138)=1.37, p=0.245) or interaction between treatment and gender (F(1,138)=0.30, p=0.585). Findings highlight the effectiveness of participatory, skill-based interventions in reducing risky sexual behaviour among adolescents. The study concludes that SBPPs are effective in modifying risky sexual behaviours among adolescents and recommends the integration of SBPP into school curricula, teacher training and longitudinal monitoring.