Response Probability Assessment of Sexual Enjoyment among Nigerian Couples During COVID-19 Lockdown

Abstract

Regular pleasurable sex among couples is pivotal to nurturing a healthy marriage relationship, the lack of which has been
associated with frequent misunderstandings, infidelity, gender-based violence and divorce in severe cases. The World Health
Organization in January 2020 declared Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) a global public health emergency. Countries all over
the world declared lockdowns and formulated control measures to check the spread of the disease. Parents, children and relatives
were locked down at home thereby eroding privacy among couples. This study assessed the response probability of sexual
enjoyment/intimacy among Nigerian couples during COVID-19 lockdown. Convenience sampling using an online semistructured questionnaire was employed to elicit information from 148 married Nigerian couples aged between 16 and 50+ years.
Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Pearson Chi-Square (ꭓ2) was performed to determine associations between variables
at 5% significance level (p-value ≤ 0.05). The assessment made use of response probabilities obtained by binary logistic
regression modeling. Most respondents 81 (54.7%) were aged between 36-49 years; 75 (50.7%) were females, 73 (49.3%) were
males. 109 (73.6%) were locked down in Nigeria. Majority 122 (82.4%) reported improvement in sexual intimacy; most 106
(71.6%) enjoyed sex, while 42 (28.4%) did not. Major barriers to sexual enjoyment were frequent misunderstandings 34 (80.9%,
p = 00001); accommodation type (0.00001) and infidelity 29 (69.1%). The response probabilities showed that males (0.71
Nigeria, 0.73 abroad) enjoyed sex, compared to females (0.70 Nigeria, 0.72 abroad). Overall, this study showed significant
improvement in sexual enjoyment/intimacy among respondents. However, misunderstanding and accommodation type were
statistically significantly associated with sexual enjoyment. In the face of rising global uncertainties/economic downturn, regular
pleasurable sex is advocated among married couples, particularly females, in order to maintain physical, mental and
psychological wellbeing.