FAMILY SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND ADOLESCENT ENGAGEMENT IN RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN KHANA LGA IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study examined the influence of family socioeconomic status on adolescent engagement in risky sexual behavior in Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State. Specifically, it investigated the relationship between parental income and parental education with adolescents’ involvement in behaviors such as early sexual initiation, multiple sexual partners, and unprotected sex. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and the population comprised 12,500 adolescents aged 13–19 years attending public and private secondary schools in the area. Using stratified random sampling, 380 respondents were selected. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, which was pilot-tested and found reliable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.82). Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used to summarize respondents’ demographic characteristics and responses. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was employed to examine the relationships between the independent and dependent variables. The results revealed a significant positive relationship between parental income and adolescent engagement in risky sexual behavior (r = 0.421, p < 0.01), indicating that adolescents from lower-income families were more likely to engage in risky sexual practices. Parental education showed a significant negative relationship with risky sexual behavior (r = -0.358, p < 0.01), suggesting that higher parental education reduces adolescents’ likelihood of engaging in unsafe sexual practices. The study concluded that both economic and educational resources within the family are critical in shaping adolescents’ sexual behavior. Based on the findings, it recommended improving family economic stability, enhancing parental knowledge and communication, providing adolescent-friendly sexual health education, and increasing access to reproductive health services. These interventions are essential for reducing the prevalence of risky sexual behaviors among adolescents in Khana LGA and similar contexts.