FACTORS INFLUENCING PREMARITAL SEX AND PERCIEVED IMPACTS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE OF COLLEGE OF NURSING OBANGEDE, KOGI STATE

Several studies in sub- sahara Africa have documented high and increasing premarital sexual activities among undergraduate. More than two – thirds of undergraduate people in developed nation have sexual intercourse while still in their post secondary schools (colleges and universities). Undergraduate people face social, peer and cultural press urge to engage in premarital sex. The most vulnerable group of premarital sexual behavior are the undergraduate . This study was carried out on the factors influencing premarital sex and perceived impact among undergraduate students of selected college of nursing obangede kogi state. Description cross-selectional design was used for this study. Non-probability sampling techniques used to select 150 of study participants. Data collected were evaluated using statistical package for social science version 25.0 and presented with frequency tables and percentages. The finding revealed that the average of the respondents with about 130(86.7%) were between 21-25Years while 16(10.66%) between 25 and above. More than half of them are female and class level varies with about 50(33.3%) in 100level, 50(33.3%) in 200level 50(33.3%) in 300level. About 110 (73.3%) strongly agree that premarital sex may lead to substance abuse or even death (suicide), while majority 140(93.3%) strongly agree that premarital sex may lead to sexually transmitted diseases. The main factor responsible for premarital sex is through poverty 140(93.3%), broken homes 146(97.3%) , inappropriate uses of media/internet 145(96.7%), inappropriate dressing most especially female 130(86.7%). Hypothesis one showed that significant was observed between premarital sex practice and religious practice of the respondents. The second hypothesis showed a significant relationship between undergraduate’s level and their knowledge about consequences of premarital sex. It is therefore recommended that parent should as a matter of responsibility, monitor and pay regular visits to their children in the school and provide them with basic materials that will make their stay comfortable and parents should live their live to set good example to their children on living a decent life.