Volume : 3, Issue : 1, January - 2014

Perceived Impact of Prostitution Tendencies on Academic Performance of University Undergraduates in South East, Nigeria

Oyeoku, E. K. , Ngwoke, D. U. , Eskay, M. , Obikwelu C. L.

Abstract :

This study investigated perceived impact of prostitution tendencies on academic performance of university undergraduates in South East Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study. The design of the study was descriptive survey. The sample consisted of 1,983 university undergraduates from two federal and three state universities in South East, Nigeria. The instruments used for the study were questionnaire titled Perceived Impact of Prostitution Tendencies on Academic Performance Questionnaire (PIPTAPQ) and Focus Group Discussions Guide(FGDs) which were validated by experts. The data were analysed using percentage, mean and standard deviation. Content analysis was employed to capture major themes and patterns from the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The major findings of the study are: The numbers of undergraduates that possess moderate and high levels of prostitution tendencies were quite high. The results also indicated that examination failures, course carry over, involvement in examination malpractice, repeating of classes, skipping of class assignment/group work, poor concentration, irregular attendance to classes, missing examinations, dropout of school, over staying prescribed maximum course duration, and other attendant academic problems were some of the negative impact of prostitution tendencies on the academic performance of university undergraduates in South East, Nigeria. It was recommended among others that professionals in the guidance and counseling centres in universities should organize seminars, symposia and workshops for staff and students of tertiary institutions on negative effects of prostitution on the academic performance.