Presentation made at the "Multi-Dimensional You” Seminar, organized by Radiant 2011 Forum, Nigeria Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS) FUTO Chapter, at Hall of Excellence, FUTO, Imo State. (June 25, 2016)

2. SEXUAL HEALTH
OF YOUNG PEOPLE
BY DR. S.N.O. IBE

3. CONCEPT
Sexual health is the experience of the on-going
process of physical, psychological and socio-cultural
wellbeing related to sexuality as evidenced in free and
responsible expressions of sexual capabilities that
foster harmonious personal and social wellness,
enriching individual and social life (PAHO & WHO,
2000).

4. Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and
social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the
absence of diseases, dysfunction or infirmity.
Sexual health requires a positive and respectful
approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well
as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe
sexual experiences, free from coercion, discrimination
and violence (WHO, 2006; UNFPA, 2004).

5. SEXUALITY
◦ Sexuality is part of being human and embraces sex,
gender identities, gender roles, sexual orientation,
eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction.
◦ Humans are sexual beings and sexual activities
commence as early as infancy but their expression
cannot be recognised at this early stage of life.
◦ However, its nature, intensity and feelings change at the
different stages of life.

6. ◦ Puberty marks the beginning of procreation
capacity.
◦ The secondary sexual characteristics appear in
both boys and girls.
◦ The reproductive organs become functional.
◦ There is a beautiful sexual feeling put in humans
by the creator and the purpose of this feeling
must be understood and appreciated for
appropriate expression.
◦ A positive and respectful approach to sexuality
and sexual relationship devoid of coercion and
violence is in part an indication of sexual health.

7. NOTE
◦ You do not need to have sexual intercourse to
enjoy your sexuality or express it.
◦ If your choice is to express it through
sexual intercourse then you must know the
consequences.
◦ Sexual desire is high among youths but this
should be controlled and the energy channelled
to other more beneficial areas.

8. SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AND LIFE
STYLES OF YOUNG PEOPLE
◦ They are full of energy, adventurous and they always want to
experiment regardless of the consequences, which often
compromise their sexual and reproductive health.
◦ They desire to be seen as a man or a woman and this may result
in risky sexual behaviours.
◦ They are pressured into having sex to prove their masculinity
and for other reasons such as financial and material gains.
◦ Yielding easily to request for sexual intercourse can be due to
lack of confidence and skills to refuse or say no to such request.
◦ Wanting to experiment with sexual relationship may be due to
lack of knowledge about sexuality and reproduction.

9. SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS
Certain sexual impairments can be present even in young people and
where it is perceived as a problem the individual needs to seek help from
health counsellors and health workers. Some of such dysfunctions include:
◦ Impotence (erectile dysfunction).
◦ Premature ejaculation (inability to control ejaculation which occurs earlier
than should be).
◦ Retarded ejaculation (ejaculation occurs later than desired).
◦ Vaginismus (spasm of vaginal wall that prevent penetration).
◦ Dyspareunia (pain experienced on penetration of the vagina).
◦ Lack of sexual desire (perception that one is not sexually aroused).
◦ Excessive sexual desire (perception that sexual arousal occurs more
often or stronger than wished).
◦ Anorgasmia (inability to experience orgasm when desired).

10. SEXUAL VARIATIONS
According World Health Organisation (2001), sexual
variations are also referred to as sexual deviations.
This is where the individual achieves orgasm through
stimulation in the following ways:
◦ Sado-masochism (achievement of orgasm
through giving pain to the partner (sadism) or
receiving pain from the partner (masochism).
◦ Transvestism (achieving orgasm through wearing
clothes of the opposite sex).
◦ Voyeurism (achieving orgasm through observing
people who are engaged in sexual act or sexual
overtones).

11. ◦ Exhibitionism (achieving orgasm by displaying sexual organs
usually to strangers in public places).
◦ Fetishism (achieving orgasm through arousal by an object or
material such as shoe or rubber).
◦ Trans-sexualism (feeling trapped in the body of the wrong sex
e.g. a girl feels she is a boy but in a girl’s body and vice versa).
◦ Paedophilia (sexual arousal through sexual interaction with
children).
◦ Homosexuality (sexual attraction to only members of the same
sex).
◦ Bisexuality (sexual attraction to both sexes).
Note: Those experiencing sexual deviations may require the
help of a counsellor. What is normal should be viewed in
line with what is natural and healthy, what is morally correct
and what is not harmful.

12. RISKY REPRODUCTIVE AND
SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOURS
These include:
◦Early and unprotected sexual activity
◦Multiple sexual partnering
◦Sexual abuse
◦Substance abuse (smoking, drinking and
using drugs) which negatively affect
judgement and may lead to sexual abuse.

13. These at-risk behaviours have negative
consequences such as:
◦ Unintended pregnancy leading to unsafe abortion and
even death.
◦ Early child bearing/teenage pregnancy leading to complication
such as vesico-vaginal fistula (opening between the vagina and
bladder), recto-vaginal fistula (opening between the vagina and
the rectum).
◦ Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and
AIDS.
◦ Sexual violence.
◦ Domestic and road traffic accidents.
◦ Psychological and mental problems.
◦ Poor academic performance and school drop-out.

14. PREVENTION OF RISKY REPRODUCTIVE
AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS
ISSUE: TEENAGE PREGNANCY/SEXUAL
ABUSE/UNSAFE ABORTION
Prevention:
◦ Develop positive values about relationship.
◦ Abstain from sex (primary or secondary abstinence).
◦ Set a goal and achieve it.
◦ Girls avoid being with boys/men alone.
◦ If sexually active, use dual protection e.g. condom and
other pregnancy prevention methods.

15. ISSUE: STIS AND HIV
Prevention:
◦ Abstain from sex.
◦ Avoid violence and injuries that may lead to blood
transfusion.
◦ Develop positive values.
ISSUE: SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Prevention:
◦ Do not experiment with drugs.
◦ Avoid peer pressure.
◦ Have self-control.
◦ Resist being initiated into drug/cults.

16. ISSUE: SEXUAL ABUSE (RAPE, INCEST
AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT)
Prevention:
◦ Never walk alone at night.
◦ Avoid taking lifts from strangers.
◦ Tell parents and siblings and friends where
you are going.
◦ Learn to say ‘NO’ to advances and insist on
your NO. Do not give in to pressure, threat or
persistent appeal.

17. THE TRUSTED PARTNER MYTH

18. NEVER DESTROY THIS BEAUTIFUL
BODY AND THE BEAUTIFUL
FEELING
THANKYOU& GOD BLESS.