European Journal of Special Education Research
ISSN: 2501 - 2428
ISSN-L: 2501 - 2428
Available on-line at: www.oapub.org/edu
10.5281/zenodo.60199
Volume 1│Issue 2│2016
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG
ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun1, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen2i
1,2
Phd, Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Sciences,
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract:
The study investigated knowledge of sexual behaviours and contraceptive use among
Adolescents with Learning Disabilities (ALDs) in a Nigerian city. A purposive sampling
was used to select 210 participants. Findings showed that the most utilised method of
contraception was abstinence (51.0%) though 21.0% had had sexual intercourse and 23.3%
had been sexually abused. “ge is significantly a determinant of “LDs’ knowledge of
sexual behaviour χ2cal =
.
, df = , p < .
and use of contraceptives χ2cal = 92.51, df =
4, p < 0.05) while gender is not significantly a determinant factor. Suggestions are made for
sexuality education to be intensified in schools for ALDs especially for early adolescents to
minimise sexual abuses, unwanted pregnancies and STIs.
Keywords: sexual behaviour, contraceptive use, adolescents, learning disabilities
Introduction
Adolescents with learning disabilities (ALDs) have more difficulties in understanding and
communicating, concomitant with increased level of vulnerability. As they are unable to
understand tasks as well as other normal children of the same age, they are often brought
up with low self-esteem as their caregivers perform more of the task for them than they
would for other children. This also leads to more vulnerability and increased risk of sexual
abuse than what is seen in children of the same age and normal development (Public
Health Agency, 2005). ALDs are therefore at increased risk of sexual and physical abuse
and neglect. ALDs will almost certainly show gaps in knowledge and erroneous beliefs
i
Correspondent author: Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen patienceigbeneghu@gmail.com
Copyright © The Author(s). All Rights Reserved
Published by Open Access Publishing Group ©2015.
50
Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
when compared with more able peers of the same age, and the degree of these problems
will correspond to the extent and nature of their learning disability. They will also reflect
the child’s history of exposure to comprehensible family and school-based education
about personal relationships, privacy, safe touching, sexual expression, dating as well as
choosing partners. These gaps in knowledge and understanding will probably reflect the
general belief that ALDs are best excluded from sexual education and expression, lest they
get into trouble or pose a danger to themselves or others (Allington-Smith, Ball and
Haytor, 2002).
Sexual behaviour may be expressed in a variety of ways including language; touch;
exploring one’s own body or another’s sexual activity, games and interactions. “ll people
have the right to express their sexuality but when adolescents display sexual behaviour
which increases their vulnerability or causes harm to another, adults have a responsibility
to take action to provide support and protection. According to Katchadourian (1990), most
adolescents’ first experience with sex falls into the category of autoerotic behaviour- sexual
behaviour that is experienced alone. The most common autoerotic activities reported by
adolescents are having erotic fantasies (about three quarters of all teenagers report having
sexual fantasies mainly about television figures or movie stars) and masturbation
(reported by about half of all adolescent boys and one-fourth of all adolescent girls) (Koch,
1993). By the time most adolescents have reached high school, they have crossed the line
from autoerotic to socio-sexual behaviour – sexual behaviours involving another person
(Katchadourian, 1990).
Youth Embassy (2004), opined that all human beings are sexual beings. Sexuality is
not an optional extra. Everyone has sexual needs, feelings and drives including
adolescents with learning disabilities. Learning about sexual behaviour is a lifelong and
often haphazard process. Babies learn from birth onwards about the bodily pleasure of
being warm, being cuddled, being tickled and interacted with. Others learn from watching
the ways in which parents show affection to each other and from spoken and unspoken
messages about private parts; also from films, advertisements and soap operas on
television (Outsiders, 2009). Sadly, it is often the case that adolescents with learning
disabilities only get a very negative form of sex education. Not giving them any positive
formal or sensible sex education does not mean that they do not pick up many enticing
ideas. They need to be protected from people who seek them out in order to exploit their
ingenuity. Also to Outsiders (2009), adolescents with learning disabilities grow up
although puberty may be slightly delayed for those with profound or multiple disabilities.
They go through the same process as any other child. Voices start to break, body hair
starts to grow, girls begin their periods, boys start to have wet dreams, and mood swings
European Journal of Special Education Research - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
51
Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
become more extreme. All that is the biological process of puberty which cannot be
stopped, even sometimes parents would want it to.
A sizeable minority of adolescents experience unintended pregnancies and sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) (Datta, Sternberg and Johnson, 2007; Finer, 2010). Unintended
pregnancy rates are the highest among individuals less than 20 years of age, despite
availability of effective contraceptive methods (Brown, Hennessy, Sales, DiClemente,
Salazar, Vanable, Carey, Romer, Valois, Brown and Stanton, 2011). Reported contraceptive
use by adolescents has increased over the years. From 1991 to 2005, the percentage of
sexually active secondary school students who reported using a condom the last time, they
had sexual intercourse increased from 46.2% to 62.8% in 2005. Despite this increase,
consistent use of any contraceptive method remains a challenge for most adolescents
(American Academy of Pediatrics, 2007). Providing information to adolescents about
contraception does not result in increased rates of sexual activity, earlier age of first
intercourse or a greater number of partners (Kirby, Laris and Rolleri, 2007). In fact, if
adolescents perceive obstacles to obtaining contraception and condoms, they are more
likely to experience negative outcomes related to sexual activity (Guttmacher, Lieberman,
Ward, Freudenberg, Radosh and Des Jarlais, 1997).
The issue of contraception for adolescents with learning disabilities is often
forgotten. Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health has shown
that adolescents with learning disabilities are as sexually experienced as adolescents
without disabilities. Attitudes about contraceptives as well as sexuality education and
counselling needs within this population should not be overlooked (Cheng and Udry,
2002). Factors that contribute to lack of contraceptive use or inconsistent use include issues
related to adolescent development such as reluctance to acknowledge one’s sexual
activity, belief that one is immune from the problems or consequences surrounding sexual
intercourse or pregnancy, denial of the possibility of pregnancy together with lack of
education and misconceptions regarding use or appropriateness of contraception. But an
adolescent’s level of knowledge about how to use contraception effectively does not
necessarily correlate with consistent use (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2007). Some of
the reasons why adolescents may not use or may delay use of contraception include lack
of parental monitoring, fear that their parents will find out, ambivalence and the
perception that birth control is dangerous or causes unwanted adverse effect such as
increase in weight.
For adolescents with learning disabilities, there is high use of injectable
contraceptives and intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs). Management of
contraceptive needs among adolescents with learning disabilities is similar in most cases
to the management of non-disabled ones (Arscott, Dagnan, and Kroese, 1999). However, a
European Journal of Special Education Research - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
52
Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
person with learning disabilities may still be competent to make an informed choice
regarding method of contraception and be able to use any method reliably (Grover, 2002).
It is therefore essential to consider the adolescents’ circumstances and wishes of the
adolescents with learning disabilities and not necessarily opt for those methods that do not
require the understanding and involvement of the user.
Research Questions
1. Which method of contraceptive is readily available and used among ALDs?
2. What are the sexual behaviour trends among ALDs?
3. What is the level of knowledge and use of contraceptive among ALDs?
Hypotheses
1. Gender will not significantly be a determinant of ALDs knowledge of sexual
behaviour.
2. Gender will not significantly be a determinant of ALDs knowledge and use of
contraceptive.
3. Age will not significantly be a determinant of ALDs knowledge of sexual
behaviour.
4. Age will not significantly be a determinant of ALDs knowledge and use of
contraceptive
Methodology
This study adopted a descriptive survey design to investigate sexual behaviours and
contraceptive use among ALDs in Ibadan North LGA of Oyo State. A simple random
sampling was employed to select seven public secondary schools in Ibadan North LGA of
Oyo State. In each of the selected schools, class teachers nominated adolescents with
record of poor academic performance based on their past examination records. After
which there was a further screening of the selected students for learning disabilities using
Pupils Rating Scale. Finally, 30 students identified as having learning disabilities from
each of the selected schools making a total of 210 participants were used in the study. Two
research instruments were used for this study; namely The Pupil Rating Scale (Myklebust,
1981) Revised with reliability coefficient of 0.62 (Lazarus, 2009) and Adolescents with
Learning Disabilities’ Reproductive, Sexual and Contraceptive ”ehaviour Inventory with a
reliability coefficient of 0.89.
European Journal of Special Education Research - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
53
Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
Data Analysis
Data collected for the study was analysed through a qualitative scale, whereby alternate
responses were allotted to the items in the “dolescents with Learning Disabilities’
Reproductive, Sexual and contraceptive Behaviour Inventory in order to make it uniform
in decision-making. Frequencies and percentages were used generally for the
demographic data and research questions while chi square was used for the test of
hypotheses.
Results
Research question 1:
Which method of contraceptive is readily available and used by ALDs?
Table 1: The Most Readily Available Method of Contraceptive for ALDs
The most readily available method of contraceptives
Sex
Male
Abstinence
Count
% of Total
Male and Female Condom
Count
% of Total
Vaginal Spermicides
Count
% of Total
Oral Contraceptive Pills
Count
% of Total
Injectable hormonal Contraception
Count
% of Total
Progestin Implants
Count
% of Total
Withdrawal
Count
% of Total
Fertility awareness
Count
% of Total
Total
Count
% of Total
European Journal of Special Education Research - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
Female
Total
59
48
107
28.1%
22.9%
51.0%
23
9
32
10.9%
4.2%
15.1%
4
6
10
1.9%
2.9%
4.8%
6
22
28
2.9%
10.5%
13.4%
2
6
8
1.0%
2.9%
3.8%
0
2
2
0%
1.0%
1.0%
6
6
12
2.9%
2.9%
5.7%
5
6
11
2.3%
2.9%
5.2%
105
105
210
50.0%
50.0%
100.0%
54
Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
Table 1 showed that the most readily available method of contraceptive used by ALDs was
abstinence with 51.0% (28.1% males and 22.9% females) of the total respondents. This was
followed by the use of condom (15.1%) and oral contraceptive pills (13.4%).
Research question 2: What are the sexual behaviour trends among ALDs?
Table 2: Sexual Behaviour Trends among Adolescents with Learning Disabilities
Male
Agree
KNOWLEDGE OF SEXUAL
BEHAVIOUR
I have a girl/boyfriend
I have had sexual
experience(s) before now
I have more than one
sexual partner
I have sex regularly
I have been sexually
abused before
I have attempted abortion
before
It is difficult to obtain
information about sexual
behaviour
I have visited a health
facility to get sexuality
education services
Peer pressure has a great
influence on my sexual life
I am always attracted to
the opposite sex
I have never heard about
homosexuality
I believe that
masturbation is a kind of
sexual behaviour
Female
Disagree
Undecided
Agree
Total
Disagree
Undecided
No
No
%
No
%
No
%
No
%
No
%
50
23.8
50
23.8
5
2.4
47
22.4
57
27.1
24
11.4
80
38.1
1
0.5
20
9.5
85
10
4.8
91
43.3
4
1.9
9
4.3
9
4.3
94
44.8
2
1
10
9
4.3
70
33.3
2
1
7
3.3
94
44.8
4
34
16.2
59
28.1
15
7.1
77
30
14.3
32
Agree
Disagree
Undecided
%
No
%
No
%
No
%
1
0.5
97
46.2
107
51.7
6
2.9
40.5
0
0
44
21
165
78.6
1
0.5
89
42.4
7
3.3
19
9
180
85.7
11
5.2
4.8
91
43.3
4
1.9
19
9
185
88.1
6
2.9
40
19
85
40.6
4
1.9
49
23.3
155
73.8
6
2.9
1.9
10
4.8
94
44.8
1
0.5
17
8.1
188
89.5
5
2.4
12
5.7
33
15.7
64
30.5
8
3.8
67
31.9
123
58.6
20
9.5
36.7
13
6.2
16
7.6
82
39
7
3.3
31
14.8
159
75.7
20
9.5
62
29.5
13
6.2
34
16.2
65
31
6
2.9
64
30.5
127
60.5
19
9
15.2
71
33.8
2
1
21
10
77
36.7
7
3.3
53
25.2
148
70.5
9
4.3
23
11
76
36.2
6
2.9
23
11
74
35.2
8
3.8
46
21.9
150
71.4
14
6.7
42
20
45
21.4
18
8.6
49
23.3
44
21
12
5.7
91
43.3
89
42.4
30
14.3
Table 2 showed the responses of the ALDs based on their sexual behaviours. The result
indicated that 46.2% (23.8% males and 22.4% females) of the respondents had a
girl/boyfriend. 21.0% (11.4% males and 9.5% females) had had sexual experience before
now. 9.0% (4.8% males and 4.3% females) had more than one sexual partner while another
9.0% (4.3% males and 4.8% females) had sex regularly. 23.3% (4.3% males and 19.0%
females) had been sexually abused while 8.1% had attempted abortion. 75.7% (36.7 %
males and 39.0% females) had never visited a health facility for sex education. 30.5%
(14.3% males and 16.2% females) agreed that peer pressure had more influence on their
European Journal of Special Education Research - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
55
Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
sexual life. 71.4% (36.2% males and 35.2% females) disagreed that they had never heard
about homosexuality.
Research question 3: What is the level of knowledge and use of contraception among ALDs?
Table 3: Knowledge and Use of Contraception among Adolescents with Learning Disabilities
Male
Agree
KNOWLEDGE AND USE
OF CONTRACEPTIVE
I have heard about
contraceptives before
I have used
contraceptive before
I am currently using
contraceptive
I have visited family
planning clinics before
I do visit family
planning clinic
regularly
I do discuss family
planning with partner
before sex
I believe that the use of
contraceptive can
cause abnormalities in
babies
Birth control pills
protect users against
Sexually Transmitted
Diseases
Condom protects users
against sexually
transmitted diseases
/HIV/AIDS
Condom cannot be
used more than once
Condoms are effective
for preventing
pregnancy
I like using condom
during sexual act
Contraceptives are
safe for adolescents
I believe abstinence is
the best contraceptive
method
There are no youth
friendly family planning
clinics around me
Female
Disagree
Undecided
Agree
Total
Disagree
Undecided
No
No
%
No
%
No
%
No
%
No
%
52
24.8
41
19.5
12
5.7
62
29.5
37
17.6
8
3.8
85
40.5
12
5.7
11
5.2
78
12
5.7
74
35.2
19
9
9
4.3
13
6.2
80
38.1
12
5.7
14
5
2.4
87
41.4
13
6.2
10
4.8
79
37.6
16
19
9
58
27.6
24
11.4
56
72
34.3
59
Agree
Disagree
Undecided
%
No
%
No
%
No
%
6
2.9
114
54.3
78
37.1
18
8.6
37.1
16
7.6
19
9
163
77.6
28
13.3
84
40
12
5.7
21
10
158
75.2
31
14.8
6.7
80
38.1
11
5.2
27
12.9
160
76.2
23
11
4
1.9
90
42.9
11
5.2
9
4.3
177
84.3
25
11.4
7.6
7
3.3
88
41.9
10
4.8
17
8.1
167
79.5
26
12.4
28
13.3
36
17.1
49
23.3
20
9.5
55
26.2
107
51
48
22.9
26.7
25
11.9
34
16.2
51
24.3
20
9.5
58
27.6
107
51
45
21.4
25
11.9
8
3.8
67
31.9
23
11
15
7.1
139
66.2
48
22.9
23
11
28.1
22
10.5
24
11.4
61
29
25
11.9
19
9
120
57.1
47
22.4
43
20.5
62
29.5
27
12.9
16
7.6
66
31.4
19
9
20
9.5
128
61
46
21.9
36
17.1
29
13.8
56
26.7
20
9.5
16
7.6
70
33.3
19
9
45
21.4
126
60
39
18.6
32
15.2
45
21.4
28
13.3
34
16.2
50
23.8
21
10
66
31.4
95
45.2
49
23.3
54
25.7
28
13.3
23
11
60
28.6
31
14.8
14
6.7
114
54.3
59
28.1
37
17.6
52
24.8
37
17.6
16
7.6
41
19.5
44
21
20
9.5
93
44.3
81
38.6
36
17.1
European Journal of Special Education Research - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
56
Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
Table 3 showed the responses of the adolescents with learning disabilities based on their
knowledge and use of contraception. The results showed that 54.3% (24.8% males and
29.5% females) of the respondents had heard about contraceptive before, 9.0% (5.7% males
and 4.3% females) had used contraceptive before while 10.0% of the respondents were
using contraceptives as of the time of this investigation. 12.9% (6.2% males and 6.7%
females) had visited family planning clinic before. 79.5% (37.6% males and 41.9% females)
did not discuss family planning with partner before sex. 66.2% (34.3% males and 31.9%
females) believed that condom users were protected against sexually transmitted diseases
while 61.0% (29.5% males and 31.4% females) agreed that condoms were effective for
preventing pregnancy. 31.4% agreed that contraceptives were safe for adolescents while
45.2% disagreed. 54.3% (25.7% males and 28.6% females) believed that abstinence is the
best contraceptive method. 44.3% (24.8% males and 19.5% females) believed that there
were no youth friendly family planning clinics around them.
Hypothesis 1: Gender will not significantly be a determinant of ALDs knowledge of
sexual behaviour
Table 4: Chi Square “nalysis of Gender on “dolescents with Learning Disabilities’ Knowledge of
Sexual Behaviour
VARIABLES
O
AGREE
DISAGREE
UNDECIDED
287
891
82
286.50
900
73.5
TOTAL
χ2cal.
Df
χ2tab.
P
1260
MALE
E
2.15
O
286
909
65
286.50
900
73.5
573
1800
147
2
5.99
NS
1260
FEMALE
E
TOTAL
2520
NS = Not significant at the level of 0.05
Table 4 indicated that gender is not significantly a determinant of adolescents with
learning disabilities’ knowledge of sexual behaviour. The χ2cal. which is 2.15 is less than the
European Journal of Special Education Research - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
57
Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
χ2tab. which is 5.99 and on this basis the null hypothesis (Ho) is accepted at 0.05 level of
significant χ2cal = 2.15, df = 2, p > 0.05).
Hypothesis 2: Gender will not significantly be a determinant of ALDs knowledge and use
of contraceptive
Table 5: Chi Square “nalysis of Gender on “dolescents with Learning Disabilities’ Knowledge
and Use of Contraceptives
VARIABLES
AGREE
DISAGREE
UNDECIDED
TOTAL
χ2cal.
Df
χ2tab.
P
1575
O
503
800
272
E
512.50
809.50
253
MALE
3.43
O
522
819
234
512.50
809.50
253
1025
1619
506
2
5.99
NS
1575
FEMALE
E
TOTAL
3150
NS = Not significant at the level of 0.05
Table 5 indicated that gender is not significantly a determinant of adolescents with
learning disabilities’ knowledge and use of contraceptive. The χ2cal. which is 3.43 is less
than the χ2tab. which is 5.99 and on this basis the null hypothesis (Ho) is accepted at 0.05
level of significant χ2cal = 3.43, df = 2, p > 0.05).
Hypothesis 3: Age will not significantly be a determinant of ALDs knowledge of sexual
behaviour
European Journal of Special Education Research - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
58
Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
Table 6: Chi Square “nalysis of “ge on “dolescents with Learning Disabilities’ Knowledge of
Sexual Behaviour
VARIABLES
O
AGREE
DISAGREE
UNDECIDED
110
674
56
191
600
49
122
705
13
TOTAL
χ2cal.
df
χ2tab.
P
4
9.49
S
840
10 – 13 YEARS
E
O
840
14 – 16 YEARS
278.09
E
O
191
600
49
341
421
78
191
600
49
573
1800
147
840
17 – 19 YEARS
E
TOTAL
2520
S = Significant at the level of 0.05
Table 6 indicated that age is significantly a determinant of adolescents with learning
disabilities’ knowledge of sexual behaviour. The χ2cal. which is 278.09 is greater than the
χ2tab. which is 9.49 and on this basis the null hypothesis (Ho) is rejected at 0.05 level of
significant χ2cal = 278.09, df = 4, p < 0.05).
Also, there were significant associations in the sexual behaviours of:
a) 10 – 13 years and 14 –
years age ranges χ2cal = 28.11, df = 1, p < 0.05).
b) 10 – 13 years and 17 –
years age ranges χ2cal = 180.38, df = 1, p < 0.05).
c) 14 – 16 years and 17 –
years age ranges χ2cal = 221.65, df = 1, p < 0.05).
Hypothesis 4: Age will not significantly be a determinant of ALDs knowledge and use of
contraceptive
European Journal of Special Education Research - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
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Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
Table 7: Chi Square “nalysis of “ge on “dolescents with Learning Disabilities’ Knowledge and
Use of Contraceptives
VARIABLES
O
AGREE
DISAGREE
UNDECIDED
288
574
188
341.67
539.67
168.67
293
647
110
E
341.67
539.67
168.67
O
444
398
208
341.67
539.67
168.67
1025
1619
506
10 – 13 YEARS
E
TOTAL
χ2cal.
df
χ2tab.
P
4
9.49
S
1050
O
14 – 16 YEARS
1050
92.51
1050
17 – 19 YEARS
E
TOTAL
3150
S = Significant at the level of 0.05
Table 7 indicated that age is significantly a determinant of adolescents with learning
disabilities’ knowledge and use of contraceptives. The χ2cal. which is 92.51 is greater than
the χ2tab. which is 9.49 and on this basis the null hypothesis (Ho) is rejected at 0.05 level of
significant χ2cal = 92.51, df = 4, p < 0.05).
Also, there are significant association in the knowledge and use of contraceptive of:
a) 10 – 13 years and 14 –
years age ranges χ2cal = 24.82, df = 1, p < 0.05).
b) 10 – 13 years and 17 –
years age ranges χ2cal = 66.12, df = 1, p < 0.05).
c) 14 – 16 years and 17 –
years age ranges χ2cal = 120.47, df = 1, p < 0.05).
Discussion
Readily Available Method of Contraceptive Use For Alds
This study revealed that both male and female adolescents with learning disabilities
believed that abstinence was the best contraceptive method. Also, the male respondents
identified condom as the second option while the female respondents identified oral
contraceptive pills. The fact that majority of the respondents in this study chose abstinence
is quite commendable. Though for some adolescents with learning disabilities abstinence
may be a difficult choice. Those who choose to abstain from sexual intercourse should be
encouraged and supported by their parents, peers and society including the media
because abstinence is the most effective means of birth control and prevention of sexually
European Journal of Special Education Research - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
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Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
transmitted infections (STIs) and is a viable strategy for reducing unintended pregnancy
and achieve reduction in STI rates.
Sexual Behaviour Trends among Alds
The study showed that about 21 per cent of ALDs had had sexual intercourse. This
supports Sunmola, Dipeolu, Babalola and Adebayo (2003) that of adolescents without
learning disabilities aged 11 to 25, about 33% of the population covered had already had
first sexual experience but more males than females reported having experience first
sexual encounter. The report from this study also showed that 23.3% of the adolescents
with learning disabilities have been sexually abused. This is in agreement with the report
of Allington-Smith, Ball and Hayfor (2002) that adolescents with learning disabilities are
susceptible to being sexually abused. The report of Chamberlain, Rauh, Passer, McGrath
and Burket, (1984) showed that 1 in 3 and 1 in 4 adolescents with learning disabilities had
suffered sexual abuse in America while Baker and Duncan (1985) reported 1 in 10
adolescents with learning disabilities in Britain. These reports can be connected to the
findings of this study if converted to ratio we will have 1 in 4.3 adolescents with learning
disabilities used for this study reporting that they have been sexually abused. Cooke
(1990) also reported that prevalence of sexual abuse among adolescents with learning
disabilities is 4-5%.
Knowledge and Use of Contraception among Adolescents with Learning Disabilities
The findings from this research implied that adolescents with learning disabilities used for
this study have 54.3% knowledge and 9.0% use of contraception and only 10.0% are
currently using contraceptive. Sunmola et. al., (2003) reported that a wide disparity was
found in knowledge and use of contraceptive methods studied. To collaborate this finding,
the Federal Office of Statistics (1992) reported that among adolescents aged 15-19 who
were part of the survey and had 10% of births in population rarely use contraceptives as
only 2% of the adolescents were then users of modern contraceptive method. Ejembi and
Otu (2004) reported in their study that only 32.4% of the sexually exposed adolescents had
ever used or were using a method of contraceptive use. Holschneider and Alexander
(2003) reported that only 18% of sexually active adolescents from 845 youth used reported
always or sometimes using condom.
Also, the result from this study indicated that 45.2% of the adolescents with
learning disabilities are of the opinion that contraceptives are not safe for adolescents just
as 79.5% do not believe that family planning should be discussed with partner before sex.
Although 66.2% believed condom protects users against STIs and HIV/AIDS while 51.0%
are aware that birth control pills do not protect users against STI and HIV/AIDS. This is
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Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
also supported by Mohammadi, Mohammad, Farahani, Alikhani, Zare, Tehrani,
Ramezankhani, and Alaeddini, (2006) who reported that few adolescents used for their
study had in depth knowledge of contraception. About half knew that condom are
effective for preventing pregnancy, 42% knew that it can prevent STI.
Therefore the reason for the failure to use contraceptive by ALDs is the fact that
most ALDs believe that using contraceptive would be tantamount to admitting that they
are planfully and willingly sexually active. Going on the pills or purchasing a condom
requires an adolescent with learning disability to acknowledge that she/he is having
sexual relations. For many young people this as an extremely difficult admission to make.
Moreso, adolescents with learning disabilities believe that there are no youth friendly
clinics around them and cannot confined in most health care providers with
confidentiality.
Gender Will Not Significantly Be a Determinant of Alds Knowledge of Sexual
Behaviour
The finding showed that both male and female adolescents with learning disabilities
exhibited the same sexual needs, feelings and drives and has similar perception towards
sexual issues. This result supports the findings of Falaye and Aremu (2004) who found
that there were no statistically significant differences in the male and female adolescents’
sexual behaviours in terms of reaction to pubertal changes, sources of sex information and
attitudes to reproductive health matters. Also, Falaye, Falaye and Ogundokun (2006)
reported that gender differential were minimal in the sexual behaviours of adolescents.
Jacobo, Herrera, Cota, Nunez and Guzman (2002), reported that there was no significant
difference in sex based on sexual behaviour of the adolescents without learning
disabilities. Therefore male and female adolescents with learning disabilities should be
seen as exhibiting similar sexual behaviour and responding to the issues of sex in similar
manner. They need to be educated equally on issues relating to sex and sexuality.
Gender Will Not Significantly Be a Determinant of Alds Knowledge and Use of
Contraceptive
The study indicated that both male and female adolescents with learning disabilities have
similar knowledge and use of contraceptives. Therefore, both male and female adolescents
with learning disabilities should be educated on the various contraceptive methods
available to them and should equally be allowed the right to choose which contraceptive
that is suitable to them. American Academy of Pediatrics (2007) reported that male and
female adolescents’ level of knowledge about how to use contraception effectively does
European Journal of Special Education Research - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
62
Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
not necessarily correlates with consistent use and the fear that their parents will find out
prevents them or may delay use of contraception in addition to the believe that birth
control is dangerous to adolescents.
Age Will Not Significantly Be a Determinant of Alds Knowledge of Sexual Behaviour
The study showed that the responses ALDs gave in respect of their sexual behaviours
were significantly difference according to their age groups. The knowledge of sexual
behaviour among 10-13 years, 14-16 years and 17-19 years were quite different from each
other. This supports the reports of Falaye, Falaye and Ogundokun (2006) that age of
adolescents greatly influenced sexual behaviours of adolescents. Finer and Philbin (2013)
reported that middle adolescents were more sexually active than early adolescents.
Therefore adolescents with learning disabilities at their early adolescence period should
also be targeted with sexuality education as regarding the issues of sex and sexual
behaviours, this will help to reduce the incidences of increased risky sexual behaviour,
increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, unintended pregnancies and
other health consequences which are common among adolescents aged 15-19 years as
reported by Population Reference Bureau (2000).
Age Will Not Significantly Be a Determinant of Alds Knowledge and Use of
Contraceptive
The study showed that the pattern of knowledge and use of contraceptive among
adolescents with learning disabilities varied according to their grouped age range. The late
adolescents with learning disabilities (aged 17-19 years old) exhibited more understanding
in the knowledge and use of contraceptives compared to 10-13 years and 14-16 years old.
This finding corroborates with the submission of Miller and Moore (1990) that it comes as
no surprise to learn that one of the best predictors of contraceptive use is the adolescent’s
age, that late adolescents are better informed, less guilty about having sex and better able
to see and understand the potentially negative consequences of an unwanted pregnancy.
Therefore, providing information to adolescents with learning disabilities about
contraception especially at the early adolescence period does not result in increased rates
of sexual activities, earlier age of first intercourse or greater number of partner as reported
by Kirby, Laris and Rolleri (2007).
Conclusions
Adolescents with learning disabilities (ALDs) are as sexually experienced as the regular
counterpart and they exhibit almost the same pattern of reproductive health and sexual
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Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
behaviour with those without learning disabilities. Therefore, attitude about contraception
as well as sexuality education and counselling needs of ALDs should not be overlooked.
Proper attention should be given to them as regards sexual behaviours and use of
contraception.
Recommendations
Premised on this study, the following recommendations are made:
Sexuality education should be incorporated into the school curriculum for ALDs
solving their sex-related problems.
unplanned pregnancy, STIs, HIV/AIDS and sexual abuses.
for ALDs.
Special educators should be properly placed and be encouraged to help ALDs in
Early ALDs should be targeted with sex education to reduce te incidences of
Youth friendly health care facilities should be made available and easily accessible
Health care providers should be encouraged to educate ALDs on appropriate
contraception for them and also help to assure them of adequate confidentiality and
protection.
Parents should be enlightened, educated and encouraged to be involved in
sexuality education of their ALDs at home.
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Ademokoya, Julius Abiodun, Igbeneghu, Patience Ehimhen –
SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
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