Risky Behaviours and Students' Academic Life in Higher Education Institutions in Tanzania

Abstract

Risky behaviours have been a global problem that affects both developed and developing countries. This study explored the risky behaviours and students' academic life in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Tanzania. It was a qualitative study and data were collected through open-ended questionnaires, interviews, and documentary reviews. The study involved a sample of 94 undergraduate students and 3 hostel wardens making 97 participants from the selected university. The findings indicate that students involved in having more than one sexual partner, alcoholism, and unsafe sex, and were prone to be exposed to the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) that affected their academic life at university. The findings also indicate that having more than one sexual partner was the most alarming risky behaviour among students. The findings indicate further that female students were exposed to early pregnancies, carry-over cases, and poor academic performance in the University Examinations. It is argued in this study that if HEIs have to safeguard their students from risky behaviours, they need to strengthen the orientation programmes, guidance, and counselling services including gender-relation training programmes for students to cope with their studies and survive after their graduation. Nevertheless, enforcing the rules and regulations by dealing with those who violate them and provision of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) preventive programmes to safeguard the students also remain imperative.

Keywords: Academic life; Guidance and counselling; Higher learning institutions; Risky behaviours.