A Case Study on the Effectiveness of a School-Based Comprehensive Sexuality Education Curriculum in Reducing Teenage Pregnancy Rates in Lagos State Public Secondary Schools, 2005

Teenage pregnancy is a major public health concern in Nigeria, linked to adverse maternal and child health outcomes, disrupted education, and negative socio-economic consequences. Historically, public secondary schools in Lagos State employed an abstinence-focused model for sexuality education. This case study assessed the effectiveness of a newly introduced, school-based comprehensive sexuality education curriculum on reducing teenage pregnancy rates in Lagos State public secondary schools. A retrospective case study design was utilised. The methodology involved a review of programme documentation, including curriculum materials and implementation guides. Aggregate, anonymised annual data on reported teenage pregnancies from a sample of participating schools were analysed and compared against pre-intervention baseline figures. Following the curriculum's implementation, a marked reduction in reported teenage pregnancy rates was observed within the sampled schools. Analysis indicated a decline of approximately 40% in the annual incidence rate compared to the pre-intervention period. Programme reports highlighted improved student knowledge of contraception and reproductive health as a key outcome. The introduction of a comprehensive sexuality education curriculum was associated with a substantial decrease in teenage pregnancy rates in this context. This suggests such programmes can be an effective public health strategy within similar educational settings. Sustained implementation and dedicated funding for comprehensive sexuality education in public secondary schools are recommended. Teacher training and community engagement should be prioritised to support programme success. Further research should explore long-term impacts and contextual factors influencing effectiveness. Comprehensive sexuality education, teenage pregnancy, adolescent health, school-based intervention, Nigeria, public health This case study provides practical evidence from a real-world setting to inform policymakers and educators in Nigeria and similar regions on the potential impact of structured, school-based comprehensive sexuality education programmes.