Reproductive health needs of young persons in markets and motor parks in south west Nigeria.

The aim of the study was to assess the reproductive health needs of out-of-school males and females aged 12-26 years working in markets and motor parks in Ibadan using Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and a survey questionnaire. Result revealed that sexual experience was higher among males (80%) compared to females (66%). Multiple concurrent sexual partnerships were found to be common among unmarried young men (71%) than women (51%) but means to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease (STD) were rarely employed. The knowledge of HIV was high (70%) though very few (12%) were aware that an infected individual would remain asymtomatic. Moreover, 36.5% thought that condoms make sex less enjoyable. Between 6 and 9% used a method for disease prevention within marriage or regular partnerships compared to 16% in casual contacts. Despite high exposure to risk, the prevalence of STDs was low as only 4% of the sexually experienced males and 9% of females were infected with Candida Albicans, Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginitis or Neisseria gonorrhea. The ready availability of antibiotics may account for this apparent discrepancy. These findings suggest that out of school adolescents working in motor parks needs sexuality education and counseling backed up with clinical services.