Sexual practices and outcomes of young people in an urban settlement in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Young people constitute one of the most dynamic human resource bases. Youths explore their sexuality and have sexual relationships with outcomes like unintended pregnancies, abortions, STIs and HIV/AIDS. Objective: This study ascertained the sexual practices and factors associated with the sexual outcomes of young people in an urban settlement in Benin City, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 young people in Oluku, Benin City, Nigeria, using two-staged sampling method. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: The respondents comprised of 211(52.8%) females and 189(47.3%) males. Their mean age was 17.8±3.9 years. Almost half, 194 (48.5%) of the respondents had experienced sexual intercourse, of which 154(79.4%) were unplanned. The mean age at sexual debut was 17.2±3.4 years. Most sexual encounters were with older partners. Unintended pregnancy and STIs were outcome of sexual encounters in 54(27.8%) and 40(20.6%) of the respondents respectively. Factors associated with the outcome of sexual encounter were age, gender, age at sexual debut and family structure. Conclusion: The respondents had early sexual debuts. Sexual encounter was mainly with older neighbours and schoolmates. Sexual outcome reported by respondents include unintended pregnancy and STIs. Age, gender, age at sexual debut and family type were associated with outcome of sexual practice. Key stakeholders should establish youth friendly centres in the community which will help educate and train youths on life building skills and also provide sexual and reproductive health services to young people in the community.