Sexual activity and other related practices among youth corpers in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

In many developing countries, epidemiological studies have shown that the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS occurs among the young and educated. Sexual practice is the most important behaviour that determines the risk of acquisition.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the sexual practices of young graduates and examined their attitude to the abstinence only policy for youths.

METHODS

Cluster sampling technique was used to choose the participants. Six hundred questionnaires were administered but only 376 well filled questionnaires were returned and analyzed.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 376 young graduates (197 males, 179 females), 73.9% had ever had sex but only 54.8% had sex in the past year. Majority of those who had been sexually exposed had used condom before (85.6%), 53% used it during their last sexual encounter but only 34.5% used it regularly. Males were more likely to report history of sexual activity, multiple sexual partners but more regular condom use (p < 0.05). One hundred and forty-three (38%) and 23 (6.1%) had taken alcohol and cigarette respectively in the previous year. Major behavioural changes made to avoid HIV included being faithful to sexual partner (32.2%), abstaining from sex (27.1%) and using condom during sex (20.6%). For both primary and secondary sexual abstainers, religious considerations and moral convictions were the major motivators.

CONCLUSION

Majority had ever had sex but many were not currently sexually active. The graduates support abstinence for youths but many felt that it would not be effective as a sole strategy. More effort is needed to promote safer sex among young Nigerians. Males should be increasingly targeted with HIV message because of the higher prevalence of risky sexual practices among them and their ability to ensure condom use when they desire.