USE OF WEDDING RINGS AND INVOLVEMENT IN EXTRA-MARITAL SEX AMONG MEN IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Abstract

Involvement in extra-marital sex has serious social, emotional, economic and reproductive health implications including the risk of infection with sexually transmitted disease. Extra-marital sexual activities are common among married men in Nigeria although many of them wear wedding rings that denote a promise of fidelity to their spouses. Few studies exist on the relationship between use of wedding rings and extra-marital sex. This study therefore assessed the use of wedding rings and involvement in extra-marital sex among men in lbadan North Local Government Area (LGA), Oyo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used. Qualitative data were obtained through eight Focus Group Discussions (FGD). For the quantitative component, a multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 630 married men who were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire. The FGD data were recorded on audio-tapes, transcribed and themes were developed. Data from the questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Respondents' mean age was 44.3 (±12.4) years. Majority were Yoruba (88.4%) and Christians (56.3%). More than a quarter (27.1%) of the respondents exchanged rings with their spouses during their wedding. Only 36.3% of those who exchanged rings wore them at the time of the study. Thirty-eight percent of all the participants had been involved in extra-marital sex. Of these, 61.2% reported having multiple partners, 35.0% had single partners, and 3.8% did not answer the question. The reasons for involvement in extra-marital sex were pleasure (25.0%), desire to continue sexual relationship with a previous girlfriend (10.8%), unresolved dispute with spouse (7.5%) and denial of sex by spouse (5.0%). More men in polygynous (61.5%) than those in monogamous marriages (34.0%) were involved in extra-marital sex relationship (p<0.05). Slightly more than half (51.0%) of younger respondents aged less than 26 years old compared to 29.0% of those older reported extra-marital sex (p<0.05). Only 17.0% of those with ring exchange were involved in extra-marital sex compared to 46.0% with no ring exchange (p<0.05). Among the respondents who frequent social and recreational centres, 61.4% were involved in extra-marital sex compared to 38.6% who had not (p<0.05). Forty percent of respondents listed HIV/AIDS as it consequence of involvement in extra-marital sex while 54.1% listed other sexually transmitted infections. In all, 75.9% claimed that a man had control over involvement in extra-marital sex irrespective of ring use. The FGD revealed that use of rings do not deter men from involvement in extra-marital sex. Participants suggested extensive public education on consequences of extra marital sex and the need for wives to sexually satisfy their husbands as part of preventive strategies for this behaviour. Wearing of wedding rings does not deter married men in Ibadan North LGA from involvement in extra marital sexual relationship and varied reasons account for the practice. This may increase the risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS and other reproductive health morbidities. Interventions such as health education campaigns are needed to positively influence this behaviour.