ASSESSING THE VIEWS AND PERCEPTIONS OF PARENTS AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS TOWARD INTRODUCTION OF SEX EDUCATION FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN KADUNA SOUTH L.G.A, KADUNA STATE.

Background: The environments of conservatism and cultural norms have hindered the formal introduction of sex education in school curricula in Nigeria because of negative impact sex education will create on youth.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using a multi-stage sampling technique.
Results: Mean age of the respondents was 37 ± 11 years; fifty seven percent were males while 43% were females. Seventy percent of the respondents were aware of sex education. There was poor understanding of the concept as only 38% could appropriately define sex education. Fifty seven percent of respondents rejected introduction of sex education for primary and secondary school pupils. There was statistically significant relationship between level of education of respondents and support for sex education.
Conclusion: Sex education is an ill-understood concept and opinions are divided on its introduction in schools among respondents.
Keywords: sex education, views, parents, Kaduna- Northern Nigeria