Sexual Risk Behaviours and Practices among Adolescents in an Urban Community

High-risk sexual behaviours and practices among adolescents, including for example, multiple partners and lack of contraceptive use, are of concern. This study is aimed at determining the sexual risk behaviours among adolescents and their sexual practices. The descriptive research design utilizing the quantitative technique was used. This study was conducted in 4 secondary schools in an urban community of Northern Mindanao. A total of 675 fourth year high school students were randomly chosen as the respondents. A standardized questionnaire by Buseh (2011) was used in the gathering of data. Only Part VII of the questionnaire was used in the study which has 9 questions. The frequency counts and percentage distribution to determine the sexual behaviours and practices among the high school students were used in the analysis of data. The results of the study revealed that all of the adolescents who have experienced sexual intercourse were between the ages 11 to 16, that during their first sexual intercourse experience majority of the adolescents were forced to engage in it, many of the adolescents have experienced sexual intercourse with 2 persons during his or her entire life, about the adolescents’ sexual intercourse experience during the past three months, a lot had it with one person only, most of the adolescents who have already experienced sexual intercourse claimed they did not drink alcohol or use any form of drugs before they had sexual intercourse, majority of the adolescents who have experienced sexual intercourse and his or her partner, did not use a latex condom, and most of the adolescents who have experienced sexual intercourse have gotten someone pregnant or have been pregnant once. This unsafe sexual behaviours and practices of the adolescents and their distinct upsurge of sexual feelings have increased their vulnerability to acquire various health problems.

 

Keywords: Adolescents, sexual risk behaviors and practices, urban community