Fostering Active Learning in Reproductive Health Classes Among Undergraduates of a Nigerian Public University: The Role of Cognitive Restructuring Health Education

Authors

• Ndubuisi Friday Ugwu, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, NigeriaFollow
• Adewumi Segun Igbinlade, National Open University of NigeriaFollow
• Adijat Bolanle Adams, Federal University Oye-Ekiti,Nigeria.Follow
• Uchenna Anselm Anibueze, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, NigeriaFollow
• Gabriel Aderibigbe Oyegbami, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, NigeriaFollow
• Chinyere Chrysantus Onwurah, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, NigeriaFollow
• Sabina Nwakaego Igwilo, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, NigeriaFollow
• Olufemi M. Olubamise, College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, NigeriaFollow
• Folasade Adediran, Achievers’ University, Owo, NigeriaFollow
• Oladipo Adeyeye Olubodun PhD, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, NigeriaFollow
• Jacob Kehinde Opele, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, NigeriaFollow
• Loveth Nnenna Ugwu, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, NigeriaFollow
• Amos Olorunwa Agbojo, Federal University Oye-EkitiFollow

Digital Object Identifier

10.18870/hlrc.v16i1.1738

ORCID

Ndubuisi Friday Ugwu:                 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5482-9103

Adewumi Segun Igbinlade:          https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2196-2965

Adijat Bolanle Adams:                   https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2752-2231

Uchenna Anselm Anibueze:        https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1890-0026

Gabriel Aderibigbe Oyegbami:   https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0671-9713

Onwurah, Chrysantus Chinyere:                https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5802-1344

Igwilo, Sabina Nwakaego:             https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8404-2628

Olubamise, Olufemi M.:                                https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0002-3428

Adediran, Folasade:                        https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0002-3428

Oladipo Adeyeye Olubodun:       https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8949-6257

Jacob Kehinde Opele:                    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5970-6636

Loveth Nnenna Ugwu:                   https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7833-3537

Amos Olorunwa Agbojo:                https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3247-2320

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the efficacy of the cognitive restructuring health education (CRHE) intervention in improving participatory learning in sexual and reproductive health classes among students at a Nigerian public university.

Methods: The study employed a randomized pretest/posttest control group design involving 130 undergraduates from Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria. Participants were randomly assigned to either a 2-week intensive health education–based cognitive restructuring program (n = 65) or a waitlist control group (n = 65). Interaction behavior was assessed at pretreatment, at post-treatment, and at a 6-week follow-up using the 14-item Interaction Behavior Checklist (reliability = 0.85). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) was conducted to examine changes within and between groups across time, followed by Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc tests. Effect sizes were calculated using partial eta squared (ηp²), and Mauchly’s test indicated no violation of sphericity.

Results: The repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant main effects of group and time, as well as a significant group × time interaction (p < .001). Partial eta squared (ηp²) values indicated moderate effect sizes across the significant outcomes. Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc analyses further confirmed that participants in the CRHE group showed significantly greater improvements in interaction behaviors over time compared to the waitlist group.

Conclusion: The CRHE intervention effectively enhanced participants’ interaction behaviors, demonstrating its potential to promote active engagement in sexual and reproductive health classes.

Recommended Citation

Ugwu, N. F., Igbinlade, A. S., Adams, A. B., Anibueze, U. A., Oyegbami, G. A., Onwurah, C. C., Igwilo, S. N., Olubamise, O. M., Adediran, F., Olubodun, O. A., Opele, J. K., Ugwu, L. N., & Agbojo, A. O. (2026). Fostering Active Learning in Reproductive Health Classes Among Undergraduates of a Nigerian Public University: The Role of Cognitive Restructuring Health Education. Higher Learning Research Communications, 16 (1).
DOI:10.18870/hlrc.v16i1.1738