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Article Information:
Education and Sexuality: Towards Addressing Adolescents’ Reproductive Health Needs in Nigeria
James Godswill
Corresponding Author: James Godswill
Submitted: April 03, 2012
Accepted: April 26, 2012
Published: July 30, 2012 |
Abstract:
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The aim of this study is to assess the crucial role of sexuality education in addressing adolescents’
reproductive health needs within the backdrops of immense challenges in Nigerian environment. Young people have
been well documented as a special need group in the area of reproductive health. Adolescent sexuality and reproductive
health are important contemporary concerns especially for reproductive health problems such as early marriage,
unintended/unwanted pregnancy, maternal mortality and sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. A large number
of adolescents in Nigeria decide to be more sexually active without access to preventive measure, such as condoms or
family planning devices and thus face undesired consequences, including unwanted pregnancies, Sexually Transmitted
Diseases (STDs), including the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and the social consequences of both. In
fact, adolescents have a higher prevalence of most reproductive health problems because of lack of information and poor
access to service. However, one of the 2004 Nigerian National Population Policy objectives is increasing the integration
of adolescents and young people into development efforts and effectively addressing their reproductive health and related
needs. The study, which relies mainly on secondary data, examines the crucial role and benefits of sexuality education
against the backdrops of the challenges including reaching the youths with sexuality and reproductive information and
service, or motivating them to change behavior in the light of new information and awareness, more institutional support
and creating the social and economic climate, which will make the desired changes possible and sustainable. The author
contends that it is a violation of ones fundamental human rights and freedom guaranteed by numerous international,
regional and national policies as well as legal instruments when attempts are made to control rather than educate people
to freely express their sexuality positively and in good health. Thus, there is need for all stakeholders to acknowledge
the reality of adolescent sexuality and teach them how to be healthy sexual beings without endangering themselves and
others.
Key words: Adolescents , reproductive health, sex, sexuality, sexuality education, ,
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Cite this Reference:
James Godswill, . Education and Sexuality: Towards Addressing Adolescents’ Reproductive Health Needs in Nigeria . Current Research Journal of Social Sciences, (4): 285-293.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-3246
ISSN (Print): 2041-3238 |
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