Pattern and Perception of Risky Sexual Behaviour among Young People in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Young people constitute a fifth of the global population and have been identified as a group that are vulnerable to risky sexual behaviour. Consequences of such behaviour may include Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS and can have deleterious effects on their current and long term reproductive health. This study described the pattern, perception and risk factors influencing risky sexual behaviour among students in the first year of a tertiary institution in South- West Nigeria.

Methodology: The study entailed a quantitative cross sectional survey among a total sampling of 222 first year students. Information was collected on types of risky sexual behaviour viz: sexual intercourse without the use of condoms, multiple sexual partners, early sexual debut and sex under the influence of alcohol. Perception of sexual risky behaviour was scored and categorized into good and poor. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis with level of significance set at 5%.

Results: More than half of the respondents were male (55.1%) and sexually active (54.6%). A fifth had early sexual debut (20.8%), 40.8% had multiple sexual partners, 23.3% had sex under the influence of alcohol while 34.2% didn't use condoms at the last sexual encounter. About half of the respondents had poor perception of risky sexual behaviour (51.8%). Gender and age were associated with sexual activity (p<0.05) while males were more likely to have a poor perception of risky sexual behaviour.

Conclusion: Interventions targeted at addressing the perception of risky sexual behaviour among students are advocated.

Keywords: Risky sexual behaviour, young people, sexual debut, multiple sexual partners