Peer Influence in the Promotion of Sexual Health Education among Sangguniang Kabataan Officials

This mixed-methods study examined peer influence in sexual-health-related discussions among youth leaders in Tagbilaran City, Philippines. Specifically, it described the level of peer influence on sexual health awareness, determined differences across selected demographic variables, and explored the lived experiences that contextualize these quantitative findings. A convergent mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 109 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials using a validated researcher-developed questionnaire, while qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA were used for quantitative analysis, while thematic analysis guided the qualitative phase. Results indicated a generally high level of peer influence on sexual-health-related discussions across domains. Significant differences were found when respondents were grouped according to educational attainment, while no significant differences emerged for sex and age. Qualitative findings revealed that peer discussions served as accessible sources of information but were often constrained by fear of judgment, misinformation, and cultural silence surrounding sexual topics. Integration of findings showed that while peer influence is strong, it does not consistently translate into accurate or comprehensive sexual health understanding. The study underscores the need for guided, context-sensitive peer-based initiatives that strengthen accurate communication while addressing sociocultural barriers.