Effect of a Structured Health Education Program on Secondary School Students' Knowledge of Risky-Sexual-Behaviors in Warri, Delta state Nigeria

Abstract

Adolescents are at increased risks of engaging in  risky sexual behaviours, due to  limited knowledge of their consequences. This study evaluated the effectiveness of  Universal Design For Learning (UDL) a student -centered approcah compared to lecture method a teacher centered approach in improving adolescent knowledge in risky sexual behaviours.  a controlled quasi experimental design was employed in two selected schools in Warri in Delta, Nigeria. Ekpan Secondary School was Exposed to lecture method while Ogbomro Secondary school received UDL tutelage. A total of 558 students (279 in each group) were recruited through simple random sampling. Data was collected using a well self structured questionnaire on "Knowledge of risky sexual behaviour" administered as self report questionnaire. descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics ( chi-square and odd ratio) were used to analyze the data at a significance level of p<0.05. The result showed that before the intervention, both groups demonstrated similar levels of knowledge (p>0.552). Post intervention, the UDL group demonstrated significantly greater improvement on the knowledge of risky sexual behaviour compared to lecture group (97.9 vs. 91.0%). The UDL approach improved on the knowledge on risky sexual behaviour 8 times post intervention (OR p=8.52; 95% CI= 3.57-20.35) compared to the non significant change in the lecture group. Conclusively, UDL method significantly improved knowledge on risky sexual behaviour compared to lecture method. The public health nurse and policy makers should integrate UDL model in sexual health education for adolescents.