Sexual behaviour and patterns of contraceptive use among students of tertiary institutions in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Proper contraception is a likely panacea to unsafe abortions often complicated by preventable deaths. This study identified sexual behaviours and associated patterns of contraceptive use among students of higher institutions in Delta State, Nigeria.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional analytic study of 420 students recruited from two higher institutions. Data was collected with a pretested semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS 22 and winPEPI software solutions to identify significant associations.
Results: Respondents’ mean age was 24.4 ± 4.3 years and majority (73.6%) had initiated sex. Mean age at sexual debut was 18.2 ± 4.1 years; it was lower in males than in females (17.6 ± 4.3 vs. 19.1 ± 3.6 years; p = 0.001). Two-fifths (40.5%) of those who were sexually active had sex within a week of the study; only 32% had been without sex above 4weeks. Having multiple sexual partners was more common among males, p = 0.003; and among those living off-campus, p<0.001. Of those who had initiated sex, self-reported use of contraception during the last episode of sex was 70.9%. Condoms, used by 65.3% during last sex were the most preferred and used appropriate method.
Conclusions: High risk sexual behaviour was common among respondents. Knowledge of, and practice of appropriate contraception needs to be improved among participants. Participants may benefit from health promotion activities on consistent use of scientifically proven contraceptive methods and safer sexual behaviour.

Keywords: Sexual behaviour, Contraception, Students, Tertiary institutions, Nigeria