actaSATECH :: Journal of the Life and Physical Sciences (ISSN 159.. http://www.actasatech.com/ind n acta SATECH Journal of the Life and Physical Sciences Established 2003 http://www.aotasatech.com (ISSN 1597-1007) Editor-in-chief Dr O ADEDAYO Editorial Board Prof. F. Onajobi Prof E. M. Ajao ProfA . O. Okubanjo Prof G. N. D. Aja Prof J. F. Adelodun Dr. I. O. Oyewole Copyright © Official Publication of the School of Science and Technology, Babcock University. ISSN 1597-1007 Designed and Powered by 1 of 1 05/06/20i 10:01 UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY JH :: Journal of the Life and Physical Sciences (ISSN 159... http://www.actasatech.com/index.php?q=issue.view.3 Vol 1, Issue 2 - December 2004 Table of Contents Life Sciences • Physico-chemical parameters and macrobenthos of an estuarine creek and an artificial pond in Lagos, southwestern Nigeria Ogunwenmo, Christiana A. & Osuala, I. A. University of Lagos, Faculty of Science, Department of Marine Sciences, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria Received: 6 Sept., 2003 Revision accepted: 18 Sept., 2004 , View Abstract | Download Article | • Population variation in relation to phytochemical analysis of extracts in lpomoea triloba L. (Convolvulaceae) Ogunwenmo, K. Olusola & Obisanya, Ibirike A. Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Department of Basic and Applied Sciences, PMB 21244, Ikeja, Lagos 100 001, Nigeria Received: 9 Sept., 2003 Revision accepted: 12 Dec., 2004 View Abstract | Download Article j • The use of Fungal Glucoamylase Enzyme for the Production of Glucose Syrup from Cassava Starch Akinola, S. O. & Ayanleye, T. A. Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Biotechnology Department, Oshodi, PMB 21023, Ikeja, Lagos 100 001, Nigeria Received: 6 Dec., 2003 Revision accepted: 30 Dec. 2004 View Abstract | Download Article • Five Year Request Pattern for Tumour markers in a Tertiary Centre in Nigeria (l)Adedapo K. S, (2)Shittu, O. B & (l)Osifo, B. O. A. University College Hospital, (l)Department of Chemical Pathology, (2)Department of Surgery, Ibadan, Nigeria Received: 1 Dec., 2003 Revision accepted: 13 Dec. 2004 View Abstract | Download Article | Z_ • Sexual maturation among school teenagers and implications for family life \ (l)Asuzu, C. C. & (2)Asuzu, M. C University of Ibadan, (1 (Department of Guidance and Counselling, (2)Department of Community Medicine, Ibadan, Nigeria Received: 5 October, 2003 Revision accepted: 10 Nov. 2004 View Abstract | Download Article j Copyright © Official Publication of the School of Science and Technology, Babcock University. ISSN 1597-1007 Designed and Powered by of 1 05/06/2014 10:01 UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY Available online @ www.actasatech.com acta SATECH 1(2): 147-149 (2004) Research________________ ____________________________ Sexual maturation among school teenagers and implications for family life *'Asuzu, C. C. & 2Asuzu, M. C. University of Ibadan, 'Department of Guidance and Counselling, departm ent of Community Medicine, Ibadan, Nigeria Received: 5 October, 2003 Revision accepted: 10 Nov. 2004 ____________________________ *Corespondence author < chiomasuzu20@ yahoo.com > Abstract There appears to be an observed progressive drop in the age o f sexual maturation among Nigerian adolescents. There is also progressive urbanization, industrialization and diffusion o f western values into the culture, especially in relation to sexual morals and behaviour. The extent to which these changes may affect the sexual maturation processes, and their implications for health and the adolescents 'family life education and counselling were studied. A cross-sectional evaluation o f the age o f the attainment o f secondary sexual characteristics among secondary> school students in Ibadan North Local Government Area, using a questionnaire study instrument was undertaken. The results show that the mean ages have not changed much for the general population when compared with previous studies. The values ranged from 12.2 years for the rapid growth spurt to 15.4 years for the sexual awakening. Mean age o f the menarche was 13.2 years, similar to existing data. However, the interval between the onset o f platonic heterosexual interest and sexual awakening was 0.9 and 0.4 years intervals in the boys and girls respectively. The obvious implications o f the later for adequate sexual health and family life education for the youths are discussed. Keywords: Sexual maturation, adolescents, family life education, sexuality Introduction ion to the youths however requires appropriate There is widespread impression that the age of sexual understanding of the psychology as well as the needs maturation is dropping among the youths in the of the adolescents themselves. For example, there are developing countries, Nigeria included. This arguments and discussion about the right age to impression would however appear to be most with the introduce formal sexuality education to the youths. children from the upper socio-economic groups in the This cross-sectional study was undertaken to help our country in private primary and secondary schools. understanding of the pattern of development of the There is also growing data on adolescent sexual secondary sexual characteristics among students in health problems in the country including pre-marital public secondary schools in Ibadan North Local intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases, abortion" Government with emphasis on heterosexual interest and related issues (Isiugo-Abanihe, 1993; Akinyele & and the sexual awakening. Onifade, 1996). These have led to efforts at sex and family life education programmes Of different types Materials and methods (Akintayo, 1988; Asuzu et al, 1989). Experiences and The study was conducted in two out of the 22 public survey results show that though parents appear to be secondaiy schools in Ibadan North Local Government the best placed and preferred by the youths to do this, Area, selected by a simple random sampling method very few of them give this education appropriately to following appropriate community entry procedure. their children (Asuzu et al, 1989). Both schools were mixed (boys and girls) secondary The delivery of adequate family life educat- schools. The research instrument was a questionnaire adapted from the previous inventory developed by ©Faculty o fS cience and Technology, Babcock University 2004 Akinboye (1982) and pretested among students for UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY wrv//www.actasatecn.com/inaex.p j 148 actaSATECH Vol. 1 construct validity in another secondary school not Table 2. Mean age attainment o f secondary sexual used in the study, after content validation with characteristics in adolescent secondary school girls specialists who work with adolescents. Most of the Sexual characteristics No of re­ Mean questions were completely structured while a few spondents age(SD) were open ended. Rapid growth 60 12.2 (2.0) The questionnaire consisted of three Breast development 61 12.3(1.6)Public hair growth sections, on socio-demographic, attitudinal and 55 12.5(1.8)Annpit hair growth 60 12.6 (2.0) experiential maturation events recall and was First menses 50 13.2 (1.8) administered to two classes of the senior secondary II Growth in the hipline/buttock 38 14.1 (3.1) students in the schools in a class room setting. Heterosexual (platonic) interest 30 14.5 (2.7) Explanations of the questions were given to the Desire for sexual intercourse 26 14.9 (2.9) students as needed. The students were clearly instructed that the study was voluntary and their Table 5. Age comparison o f onset o f pubertal development responses will be treated in strict confidence. in boys and girls ___________ Ninety-three of the ninety-six students filled Factor compared Means Means t-value P-value the questionnaire well enough to be used for analysis. (boys) (girls)Rapid growth spurt The responses in the questionnaire were scored and 12.7 12.2 0.8982 0.371Pubic hair growth 13.0 12.5 0.9070 0.367 collated for analysis. X2 or t-tests were used for the Seminal 13.7 13.2 0.9857 0.367 nominal and continuous variables generated emission/menses respectively. Armpit hair developm’t 13.8 12.6 2.3166 0.023* Breast development 14.0 12.3 3.8990 0.002** Heterosexual interest 14.3 14.5 -0.2305 0.819 Results Desire for sexual 15.4 14.9 -0.4899 0.627 Tables 1 and 2 show the mean ages at which the intercourse (libido) students experienced the different adolescent Voice deepening (M) 14.9 13.2 2.9125 0.005** developmental milestones. Even though the girls & menses (F)Seminal emission (M) 13.7 14.1 0.3971 0.6927 experienced milestones earlier than boys, the age & buttock growth (F) difference is not up to the two years reported by Voice deepening (M) 14.9 14.1 1.0296 >0.2 Oduntan et al, 1976. Table 3 shows the comparison of & buttock growth (F) the equivalent or possibly equivalent developmental *significant **highly significant M: Male F: Female milestones in the boys and girls. Only armpit hair tistically significantly different. In relation with development and breast development in boys and preferred person to teach sex education, 48% of girls girls as well as voice deepening in the boys showed (48%) preferred parents to do so while 76% of boys statistically significant difference. The first seminal (76%) opted for medical doctors (Table 5). Whereas emission in the boys and menarche in girls did not the mean ages of heterosexual (platonic friendship) show statistical difference in the ages of their interests were 14.5 years (Table 2) for girls and 14.3 occurrence. years for boys (Table I), the erotic sexual awakening The students indicated 17 (girls) and 18 and desire developed at 14.9 years for girls and 15.4 (boys) years as preferred ages for sex education years for boys. (Table 4). These ages are equally three years after their last ages of occurrence of any of the secondary Table 4. Youth’s expectations of applied sexuality sexual developments. They also indicated 24 (girls) Index Boys Girls t-value P value and 21 (boys) years as intended ages (to begin) to (SD) (SD) have sexual intercourse. The later is statistically stati- Mean age of 20.6 23.9 2.6242 0.0109* intended coitus (4.3) (4.6) Tctble 1. Mean age attainment o f secondary sexual Mean age desire 18.0 17.1 - 0.3510 characteristics in adolescent secondaiy school boys______ for sex education (4.7) (3.4) 0.9382 Sexual Characteristics No of re­ Mean spondents age(SD) Table 5. Preferences for sexuality and sex education Rapid growth spurt 28 12.7 (2.5) Index Boys Girls X2value Pvalue Hair on the pubes 26 13.0 92.4) Prefer parents to 14% 45% 8.78 0.0030** First Seminal emission 23 13.7 (2.9) teach sex education Armpit hair development 24 13.8 (2.2) Prefer doctors to 76% 31% 12.17 0.0005*** Breast development 23 14.0 (2.2) teach sex education Heterosexual (platonic) interest 21 14.3 (4.0) Gave reasons for un- 10% 24% 1.81 0.1782 Deepening of the voice 24 14.9 (3.3) answered questions Desire for sexual intercourse 17 15.4 (3.9) **highly significant *** extremely significant UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY 2004 AZUZU & AZUZU - Sexual maturation among teens 149 Discussion In a previous study, Asuzu (1989) reported The mean ages of the secondary sexual characteristics that students and indicated that parents do not fulfil among the low and middle class of Nigerian the need for their education in sexuality (including adolescents does not seem to have changed much, coitus) and family life. The preference of the boys for contrary to the general impression. Previous doctors to do this may partly be from this reason, but researchers (Oduntan et al., 1976) had shown that the it may also be because they understand sex education mean age of menses was about 13 years as confirmed to be a free coital education, unrelated to marriage by this study. It is probable that the generally and family life as the girls would seem to be observed trend of earlier sexual maturation ages is indicating. Encouraging must be given to parents, as limited to the upper socio-economic classes of the well as programmes developed for them, to be able to society. The earlier ages of the onset of the secondary learn how to give this education to their youths, sexual characteristics by two years in the girls especially the girls. indicated in most western data in these regards are not demonstrated in this study. More studies are needed Acknowledgement to further explore this in the local environmental We thank the principals and guidance counsellors as especially in adolescents from higher socio-economic well as the students who took part in this study. We groups. Only breast development showed as much thank Ijeoma Odoemela for typing the manuscript. difference in this study. Although, coital experience was not inquired References about in this study but the age at which the students Akintayo, D. 1988. An assessment o f secondary school tea­ expect to start having sexual intercourse indicated chers knowledge, attitudes and perceptions o f sex ages which would seem to correspond with the boys education. MPH Dissertation, Dept, of Preven­ expected ages of legal adulthood and the girls tive and Social Medicine, University of Ibadan. marriage (25 and 24 years) respectively. This Akinboye, J. O. 1982. Adolescent personal data inventory handbook. Department of Guidance and Counsel­ expectation needs to be explored further in future ling, University of Ibadan, pp. 25-30 studies as it has implications for sexuality and family Akinyele, I. O. and Onifade, I. O. (1996). Trends in social life education for the youths. The ages indicated for behaviour among secondary school adolescents in “sex education” (18 and 17 years) is rather far away Ibadan. I FRA Occasional Publications No 5. from the ages of their sexual maturation and near Institute of African Studies, Univerisity of their indicated ages of commencing genital sexual Ibadan. intercourse. This suggests that they understand “sex Asuzu, M. C., Odor, O. E., Asuzu, C. C. & Oyejide, C. O. education” properly to be coital education rather than 1989. Health educational needs assessment and curriculum development for formal adolescent the total approach to sexuality education which is education in human sexuality and family life. often confused with coital experience in day to day Journal o f Community Medicine & Primary usage. This is particularly so in case of the boys. Onfe Health Care 2: 51-58. factor which indicates the need for formal sexuality Asuzu, M. C., Odor, O.E. & Asuzu, C. C. 1995. Psychoso­ education (including coital education) as early as the cial characteristics of youths attending a adolescent developmental onset is the closeness of voluntary family life education programme in heterosexual platonic interest with erotic interests, Ibadan. Journal of Community Medicine and most especially in the girls; implying a need for Primary Health Care, 7: 35-45. appropriate non-genital sexuality education before Asuzu, M. C. 1994. Sexual beliefs, attitudes and knowledge of adolescent youths in Ibadan concerning AIDS. this time as the case may be, especially for the West African Journal of Medicine, 13: 245-247. chastity-based programmes. Traditional culture, taboo Isiugo-Abanihe, U. 1993. Sexual behaviour and exposure to and a possibly uneducated modesty may be helping the risk o f AIDS in Nigeria. The 8' Faculty the girls to merely suppress the libidinous arousal Lecture, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of indicated in this study as a cultural sexuality Ibadan. phenomenon. But proper sexuality education will be Oduntan, S. O., Ayeni, O., Kale, O. O. 1976. The age of needed to enable the youths tease these apart and let menarche in Nigerian girls. Annals o f Human each interest to be handled healthily as ought whether biology. 3: 269-274. these include coitus or not. UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY