Sociodemographic characteristics and health risk behaviours among students of a tertiary institution in South Western Nigeria

Abstract

The identification of early risk factors among undergraduate students that impact on health, both mental and physical is a primary focus of this survey. This is more so since people suffering from an illness may not be currently engaging in any health risk behaviors but might have engaged in such behaviors before they developed the illness condition. Therefor e the identification of health risk behaviors among this group of people would permit a better understanding of localized patterns of health risk behaviors as well as help to target intervention activities towards this particular group of people. The study is based upon data obtained from a cross-sectional survey of students in a tertiary institution in South Western Nigeria. Participants voluntarily and anonymously complete d a baseline semi-structured questionnaire which elicited information on demographic information, sexual behaviors and substance use among others. Of the 368 respondents, majority 225 (60.9%) are in the age group of 20-24 years. A total of 152 (41.3%) are either currently or have previously indulged in heavy drinking of alcohol and a statistically significant association (p<0.05) was found between the use of alcohol and having multiple sexual partners and us e of commercial sex workers. Ninety-four (25.5%) and 52 (14.1%) are currently smoking or have smoked cigarette and marijuana before respectively; while 56 (15.2%) are currently using or have before used narcotic drugs. The relationship between hard drug use and non-use of condom was statistically significant (p<0.05).