Adolescents Risky Sexual Behaviour: The Role of Health Education

Abstract

Risky sexual behavior (RSB) among adolescents is a pressing public health concern globally with significant implications for adolescent’s sexual health and overall well-being. While there are reports on RSB from different locations in Nigeria, there is dearth of information in the literature among Nigerian adolescents hence, the need for this paper. This paper delves into the risky sexual behavior (RSB) among adolescents. It focused on the adolescents’ risky sexual behaviours like include early sexual debut, unprotected sex, having multiple sexual partners, and engaging in transactional sex. The paper further discussed the role of health education in mitigating adolescent’s risky sexual haviours like increasing knowledge, developing Skills, addressing specific behaviors and comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) amongst others. The paper concluded that health education has a significant role to play to reduce and/ or eradicate sexual risky behaviours in the society. Thus,educating young people about their sexual health isn’t about corrupting them it’s about protecting them. Moreover, when we get it right, we don’t just prevent problems in our society, we nurture a generation that is informed, confident, and equipped for a healthier future and contributing member of the society.