Parent–Adolescent Communication on Sexual Risk-Taking Behaviours among in-School Adolescents in Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria

Background: Risky sexual behaviour among in-school adolescents remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, where national survey data indicate that about 46% of adolescent girls and 22% of adolescent boys have had sexual intercourse, often without adequate parental guidance on sexual matters (Zulu, 2025). Open parent-adolescent communication on sexual issues has been consistently associated with delayed sexual debut and safer sexual practices, yet such communication remains inconsistent across Nigerian households. This study examined parent-adolescent communication on sexual risk-taking behaviours among in-school adolescents in Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State.

adolescents; parent-adolescent communication; sexual risk-taking behaviour; in-school adolescents; Nigeria

1. Aduloju, O. P., et al. (2025). Magnitude of sexual and reproductive health communication between parents and their adolescents: Evidence from Osun State, Nigeria. PLOS Global Public Health, 5(2), e0004034. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Alo Chihurumnanya, Anne, L. P., & Neo, K. M. (2016). Literature review on alcohol use and sexual risk behaviour in South Africa. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Unit. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Bailin, A., Milanaik, R., & Adesman, A. (2014). Health implications of new age technologies for adolescents: A review of the research. Current Opinion in Paediatrics, 26(5), 605–619. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. DiIorio, C., Pluhar, E., & Belcher, L. (2013). Parent-child communication about sexuality: A review of the literature from 1980-2002. Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention & Education for Adolescents and Children, 5(3-4), 7–32. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Furstenberg, F. F., Moore, K. A., & Peterson, J. L. (2015). Sex education and sexual experience among adolescents. American Journal of Public Health, 75(11), 1331–1332. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Iliyasu, Z., Abubakar, I. S., Aliyu, M. H., Galadanci, H. S., & Salihu, H. M. (2012). Correlates of sexual communication between parents and adolescents in northern Nigeria. Health Education Journal, 71(6), 758–769. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Johnson, K., Guttmacher Institute, & Bankole, A. (2019). Adolescent exposure to sexual content in media and sexual risk-taking behaviour. Journal of Adolescent Health, 64(2), 218–225. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. National Population Commission (NPC), & ICF Macro. (2009). Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2008. NPC and ICF Macro. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Obono, K. (2012). Cultural diversity and sex education in Nigeria. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 43(1), 81–98. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Okpalaku, C. J., Ogubuike, C., & Brault, M. A. (2025). Exploring barriers to parent-adolescent sexual-risk communication among adolescents in Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Adolescents' and parents' perspectives. PLOS Global Public Health, 5(1), e0003148. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Ondo State Ministry of Health. (2010). Annual health sector performance report. Ondo State Government. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Schouten, A. P., van den Putte, B., Pasman, L., & Meeuwesen, L. (2017). Parent-adolescent communication about sexuality: The role of adolescent gender. Journal of Adolescence, 30(1), 75–89. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. United Nations. (2020). World population prospects: Adolescents and youth. United Nations Population Division. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Varghese, B., Maher, J. E., Peterman, T. A., Branson, B. M., & Steketee, R. W. (2015). Reducing the risk of sexual HIV transmission: Quantifying the per-act risk for HIV based on partner infectivity, exposure, and behaviour. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 29(1), 38–43. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Whitaker, D. J., Miller, K. S., May, D. C., & Levin, M. L. (2013). Teenage partners' communication about sexual risk and condom use: The importance of parent-teenager discussions. Family Planning Perspectives, 31(3), 117–121. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. World Health Organisation. (2021). Adolescent health. WHO. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Zhang, L., Li, X., Shah, I. H., et al. (2017). Parent-adolescent sex communication in China. European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 12(2), 138–147. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Zulu, E. M. (2025). The realities of adolescent sexual behaviours in Nigeria: A narrative review. Reproductive Health, 22, 45. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Tribal Child Nutrition and Health in District of Sundargarh: A Public Health Review of ICDS Intervention
• Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towards Prostate Cancer Screening Amongst Men Aged 40-60 Years in The Buea Health District: A Cross-Sectional Study
• Compliance with JCI Protocols: A Focus on Employee Safety
• Influence and Involvement of Teachers in Menstrual Hygiene Management of Female Secondary School Students in Kogi State, Nigeria
• A Critical Evaluation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana in Bihar