PREVALENCE OF HEALTH-RELATED RISK FACTORS AMONG PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE

Abstract

Healthy adolescents are important assets in the socio-economic growth and development of any nation. However, several factors, such as poor Reproductive Health Knowledge (RHK), Risky Sexual Behaviours (RSB), poor dietary intake, physical inactivity and overweight can negatively affect their health. Many studies in Nigeria have identified these risk factors among public secondary and/or out-of-school adolescents, but there is little information on the prevalence among private secondary school adolescents. This study was therefore designed to assess the prevalence of health-related risk factors among registered private secondary school adolescents in Ibadan North Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ibadan North LGA which was purposively chosen from the five LGAs in Ibadan municipality. Using a 4-stage random sampling technique, 479 students (JS1-SS3) from four out of the19 registered privately-owned secondary schools in the LGA were selected. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, RHK, RSB, lifestyle factors and eating habits and an interviewer-administered 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire was used to determine dietary intake. A 49-point RHK scale (categorized as Poor [0-16], Average [17-33] and Good [34-49]) was constructed. RSB was defined as sexual initiation before age 16 years, having Multiple Sexual Partners (MSPs) and non-use of condom at last sexual act. Anthropometric data, classified by WHO standards, and dietary intake were assessed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression at p=0.05. Respondents’ mean age was 13.9±1.3 years and 48.6% were females. Majority (78.9%) were Christians, 85.7% Yoruba and 85.9% were from monogamous homes. Overall, 11.9% of respondents had poor RHK. Fourteen percent reported Ever Had Sexual Intercourse (EHSI) and initiated sex before age 16 years. Seventy one percent had MSPs while 53.6% did not use condoms at last sexual encounter. Only 13.2% engaged in physical exercise lasting more than 30 minutes, five or more times weekly, while 73.1% iii watched television for more than two hours daily. All respondents reported daily meal skipping while 60.2% snacked on fast-foods between meals. Prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was 4.2%, 11.5% and 1.2% respectively. Many had inadequate energy (46.2%), dietary fibre (61.5%) and calcium (98.6%) intakes. Being male (OR=4.5, CI=2.4-8.3), aged 16-19 years (OR=3.8, CI=2.0-7.1), in SS1-SS3 (OR=5.1, CI=2.7-9.6) and from polygamous home (OR=2.3, CI=1.2-4.4) were significantly associated with EHSI. Being aged 16-19 years (OR=5.2, CI=1.1-25.1) and in SS1-SS3 (OR=3.8, CI=1.1-13.5) were also significantly associated with having MSPs. Younger age (12-15 years) was significantly associated with non-use of condom at last sexual encounter (OR=13.5, CI=2.7-66.6). Several risk factors that may contribute to negative health-related outcomes were found among the adolescents. Comprehensive sexuality education, behavioural change communication activities and nutritional education interventions that address these identified risk factors are needed to reduce risk and improve the health of these adolescents.