KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF PORNOGRAPHY AND MASTURBATION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN KWARA STATE UNIVERSITY, MALETE

Abstract

This study examined the knowledge and perceptions of pornography and masturbation as deviant sexual behaviors among undergraduate students at Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria. The following were the aims of the study; assess i) level of knowledge of watching of pornography; ii) prevalence of masturbation and iii) if watching of pornography and masturbation is a deviant sexual behaviour among undergraduate students in Kwara State University, Malete. A descriptive survey design was employed, with data collected from 332 Public Health students using a structured questionnaire. The population consisted of 32,633 students, while the targeted population were students in the department of Public Health with a population of 4571 students (Students Affairs, 2024). According to Krejcie and Morgan (1970) for a population of 4500- 4900, a sample size of 354 is enough. A multi-stage random sampling technique consisting of purposive, proportionate and accidental sampling techniques was employed for this study.
Findings revealed that most respondents had low engagement with pornography (mean score = 1.78), primarily accessing it via social media, and did not consider it satisfying for sexual urges. Similarly, masturbation was infrequent (mean score = 1.58), though many associated it with mental health impacts and guilt. Notably, no significant differences were found across age groups (F = 0.713, p = 0.545), gender (t = 1.846, p = 0.244), or academic levels (F = 1.673, p = 0.173), suggesting that cultural and religious norms rather than demographics shape attitudes. The study concludes that while pornography and masturbation are not widely deemed deviant, persistent stigma and misinformation highlight the need for university-based sexual health education. Recommendations include integrating evidence-based curricula and engaging religious leaders to foster balanced discourse. These insights contribute to the broader conversation on sexual behaviors in Nigerian higher education, emphasizing the role of institutional interventions in promoting informed, stigma-free perspectives.