Adolescent sexuality and life skills education in Nigeria : to what extent have out-of-school adolescents been reached? : original research article

The introduction of school-based adolescent sexuality and life skills education in Nigeria's formal education sector raises the misgiving that out-of-school youths who constitute more than half of the youth population might be neglected. This study investigated the extent to which out-of-school adolescents have been reached with sexuality education in Nigeria. The study took place in the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, and involved out-of-school adolescents, Non-Governmental Organizations, and community leaders. The qualitative research approaches were employed. Most of the youths had been exposed to sexuality education through seminars, trainings and workshops organized by different organizations. However, states in the south were better served than those in the north. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV/AIDS prevention accounted for more than 40% of the content of sexuality and life skills education received by out-of-school adolescents. The programmes have impacted positively on adolescents' disposition and relationship with the opposite sex, knowledge and skill building. L'introduction de l'education de la sexualite des adolescents et les competences de vie en milieu scolaire dans le secteur de l'education formelle du Nigeria souleve la crainte que les jeunes gens qui ne frequentent pas l'ecole, et qui constituent plus de la moitie de la population des jeunes, pourraient etre negliges. Cette etude a examine jusqu'a quel point les adolescents qui ne frequentent pas l'ecole ont ete atteints par l'education sexuelle au Nigeria. L'etude a eu lieu dans les six zones geopolitiques et le Territoire de la capitale federale, Abuja. Elle a implique des adolescents qui ne frequentent pas l'ecole, des organisations non gouvernementales et les dirigeants communautaires. Les approches de recherche qualitatives ont ete employees. La plupart des jeunes avaient ete exposes a l'education sexuelle a travers des seminaires, des formations et des ateliers organises par differentes organisations. Toutefois, les etats dans le sud ont ete mieux servis que ceux du nord. Les infections sexuellement transmissibles, y compris la prevention du VIH / sida ont represente plus de 40% de la teneur de l'education sexuelle et les competences de vie recue par les adolescents qui ne frequentent pas l'ecole. Les programmes ont un impact positif sur la disposition et les relations des adolescents avec l'autre sexe, la connaissance et le developpement des competences.