DRUG USE, PEER PRESSURE AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN RISKY SEXUAL

BEHAVIOUR AMONG IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Abel C. Obosi
Department of Psychology
University of Ibadan
abelobosi@gmail.com
08075777143

More than half of the world population is made up of young people less than 25 years old, and
majority of this population live in developing country. Young people are at high risk of
practicing high risk sexual behaviors. However, the role of Drug abuse and peer pressure has not
been fully investigated among secondary school students. This study helped to fill the gap by
investigating the influence of Drug abuse and peer pressure on risky sexual behaviour among
secondary school students. Using an expost facto research design, a total of 211 adolescents, who
were students in selected secondary schools in Badagry, Lagos state were purposively selected
and participated in this study. Their mean age was x= 15.27  1.73. Participants completed
standardized measures of drug abuse, peer pressure and risky sexual behaviour. Findings showed
that both drug abuse (β = .24, t= 4.25 p<.01) and peer pressure (β = .54, t= 9.58, p<.01) were
significant independent predictors of risky sexual behaviour among the participants. Further,
male students scored significantly higher on the measure of risky sexual behaviour (t (209)=
2.26, p<.05) in comparison to their female counterpart. It was concluded that gender differences
exist in risky sexual behaviour and that drug use alongside the peers adolescents keep were
important contributors to this outcome. It was recommended that campaign must be intensified
on the dangers of drug abuse and the long term effect of risky sexual behaviours.

Key Words: Drug use, Risky sexual behaviour, Gender, peer pressure