Sexting Behaviour and Perceived Health Implications among Out-Of-School Adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria

Sexting behaviour has gradually increased among adolescents especially with the advent and advancement of mobile phones and the internet, resulting in alarming rise of the behaviour among young people with the negative consequences of sexting. Thus, sexting has become a public health phenomenon among young people in Nigeria. A significant gap exists in the literature regarding sexting, as studies have predominantly concentrated on in-school adolescents, neglecting their out-of-school peers. This study examines the prevalence and perceived health implications of sexting behaviour among out-of school adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study adopted cross sectional design and through mix-method approach, a total of 401 adolescents participated in the survey, while 24 adolescents participated in the In-depth interviews. Sexting prevalence was determined using the adjusted Sexting Behaviour Scale created by Dir Coskunpinar and Cyders. Qualitative data were transcribed, sorted, categorized and analyzed thematically. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square and logistic regression. The mean age of adolescents in the study was 16.16 ± 2.0 years. The overall sexting prevalence among out-of school adolescents in the study was 28.4%. Many adolescents participated in sexting in exchange for material gifts and emotional gratification; they were ignorant of the associated dangers and consider known health implications, insignificant. Patterns of sexting among the study population include sexually explicit video, pictures and messages. Sexting was significantly associated with sexual harassment. Necessary interventions are needed a to enlighten and educate adolescents on the health implications of sexing in order to reduce sexting behaviour and associated health risks among out-of-school adolescents.