Reproductive health education and cohabitation-related behaviours among female undergraduate students

A quasi-experimental study in North-West Nigeria

Authors

  • Seun Nurudeen Akorede Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • Abdulkabir Toriola Yusuf Department of Health Education, Faculty of Science and Sciences Education, Federal University of Education, Zaria, Nigeria
  • Abdulmuhit Temitope Isiaq Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • Safiya Yakubu Department of Health Education, Faculty of Science and Sciences Education, Federal University of Education, Zaria, Nigeria
  • Okhae Kelly Relobhegbe Department of Health Promotion and Education, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24252/diversity.v7i1.66577

Keywords:

female, nigeria, reproductive health, students, universities

Abstract

Cohabitation among female undergraduates in Nigerian universities poses significant reproductive health risks, yet evidence on structured, sustained educational interventions targeting cohabitation behaviours in North-West Nigerian federal universities remains limited. This study examined the effect of a twelve-week reproductive health education intervention on cohabitation behaviours among female undergraduate students in federal universities in the North-West Zone, Nigeria. A quasi-experimental of pre-test/post-test design with experimental and control groups was used. One hundred (100) female undergraduate students were recruited from two federal universities: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (experimental group, n = 50) and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (control group, n = 50), selected through multistage homogeneous purposive sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire rated on a four-point Likert scale with excellent internal consistency (r = 0.92). The experimental group received a twelve-week reproductive health education programme, while the control group received no intervention. Paired and independent samples t-tests were applied at a 0.05 significance level. Findings indicated a significant improvement in the experimental group’s cohabitation behaviours (pre-test mean = 2.55, post-test mean = 1.40; t(49) = 23.63, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 3.34, 95% CI [2.63, 4.05]), and a significant post-intervention difference between the experimental (mean = 1.40) and control groups (mean = 1.67; t(98) = 21.89, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 4.38, 95% CI [3.65, 5.11]) after intervention. These findings support institutionalising practice-oriented reproductive health education, counselling, and structural support within universities to strengthen safer behaviours, family health preparedness, responsible decision-making, and culturally appropriate health promotion

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Published

2026-08-29

How to Cite

Akorede, S. N., Yusuf, A. T., Isiaq, A. T., Yakubu, S., & Relobhegbe, O. K. (2026). Reproductive health education and cohabitation-related behaviours among female undergraduate students: A quasi-experimental study in North-West Nigeria. Diversity: Disease Preventive of Research Integrity, 7(1), 25–37. https://doi.org/10.24252/diversity.v7i1.66577

Issue

Volume 7, Issue 1, August 2026

Section

Article

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Seun Nurudeen Akorede, Abdulkabir Toriola Yusuf, Abdulmuhit Temitope Isiaq, Safiya Yakubu, Okhae Kelly Relobhegbe

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