Sociodemographic parameters of parents and sexual characteristics among male teenagers in Ogbomoso, South West Nigeria

Background: Sexuality and sexual education is very important to teenagers. The attendant physical, endocrine and psychological change which occurs at this period makes them particularly prone to challenges at this stage of their lives. Sociodemographic variables have been thought to play a significant role.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between sociodemographic parameters and some sexual characteristics of teenagers in our community.
Methods: Of the 182 teenagers who had the questionnaires randomly administered to them in randa area of Ogbomoso, Southwest Nigeria, one hundred and twenty had complete information necessary for analysis. The questionnaire was initially pretested to ensure the components could be easily understood. Completed questionnaires were analysed using SPSS 20.
Results: The mean age of the teenagers was 15.45±1.62 years. One or more sexual exposure had been experienced by74 (61.4%) of the 120 teenagers, and 38(51.4%) of these teenagers had more than one sexual partners. Ninety three (77.5%) were aware of the methods of preventing pregnancy. There was a statistical signifiant relationship between family setting, social class and sexual characteristics of these teenagers.
Conclusion: Education and socioeconomic empowerment of parents promotes communication between parents and their teenagers, thereby improving the reproductive health of their teenagers.