Demographic Factors and Online Sexual Behaviours of Tertiary Institution Students in Osun State, Nigeria: Counselling Implications

The study examined the dimension of online sexual behavior of tertiary institution students  in  Osun  State,  Nigeria.  It  also  investigated  the  predictive  contribution  of demographic factors on online sexual behavior of students. Descriptive correlational design was adopted for the study. The population for the study consisted of all tertiary institution  students  in  Osun  State.    A  sample  of  1600  students  was  selected  to participate in the study.  Online Sexual Behaviour Scale (OSBS) was the instrument designed and used to collect data for the study. Frequency counts was used to answer the  research  question  while  linear  regression  analysis  used  to  test  the  research hypothesis. The findings showed that  34.1% of students sampled have experienced partnered-arousal with another person while 48.5% of them have experienced non- arousal.  Only  17.4%  of  them  have had  experience  of  solitary  arousal  with  another person. The result also showed that place of residence was the strongest predictor of online sexual behaviour among students (B = 12.164; t = 10.091; p < 0.05). This study concluded that demographic factors were predictive factors of online sexual behaviour among tertiary institution students. Thus, appropriate counselling implications were made,  and  it  was  recommended  that  counselling  psychologists  and  sex  educators should develop a comprehensive programme that will specifically promote safe online sexual practices among students.