KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF PREVENTIVE SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BEHAVIOURS AMONG MALE CIVIL SERVANTS IN OYO STATE SECRETARIAT, IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

Men’s leading trend in risky sexual practices, non-utilisation of screening services has been associated with their perceived risk of sexually transmitted infections. Few studies have documented the knowledge, perception and practice of men on preventive sexual and reproductive health behaviour in Nigeria. This study, therefore, assessed the preventive sexual and reproductive health knowledge and practice of male civil servants in Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan. The study was descriptive cross-sectional survey that used a four-stage sampling technique to select 272 male civil servants across fourteen selected ministries in the Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan. A pre-tested semi-structured self-administered questionnaire which contained a 31–point knowledge scale, 33–point perception scale, 17–point practice scale, questions relating to factors affecting the adoption of preventive sexual behaviour and reproductive health among male civil servants was used for data collection. Knowledge scores 0 – 11, ˃ 11 ≤ 21and ˃ 21 were classified as poor, fair, and good, respectively. Perception scores 0 – 17 and >17 were categorised as poor and good perception, respectively and practice scores 0 – 9 and ˃ 9 were categorised as poor and good practice, respectively. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and Fishers exact test at p=0.05. Respondents’ age was 38.0 ± 9.4 years, majority (71.0%) were married and Yorubas (97.8%). Knowledge score was 10.9 ± 5.0; respondents with poor, fair and good knowledge of preventive sexual and reproductive health behaviours were 54.0%, 43.8% and 2.2% respectively. The Perception score was 10.9 ± 5.6 and 87.1% and 12.9% had poor and good perception respectively. The Practice score was 9.3 ± 2.7 and only 49.6% of the respondents had good practice of preventive sexual and reproductive health behaviours. Majority (77.6%) considered lack of adequate knowledge as a factor affecting the adoption of preventive sexual and reproductive health behaviour. Religion/Faith was considered by majority (76.5%) to influence these behaviours, 64.7% agreed that their partners can also affect these behaviours, 67.3% agreed that availability of material support for reproductive health e.g. condom will encourage adoption. Availability of

screening services (65.1%), good attitude of health workers carrying out the screening exercise (69.5%) and trust in healthcare professionals (73.9%) were also considered to influence adoption. The Fishers’ exact test showed that there was no significant relationship between the age of the respondents and their knowledge of preventive sexual and reproductive health behaviour but there was significant relationship between their cadre and their knowledge. The test also showed significant relationship between their highest qualification and their knowledge, and also significant relationship between the knowledge and the perception of the respondents. The Chi square test showed that there was no statistically significant relationship between the perception and the practice of the respondents of preventive sexual and reproductive health behaviour. The respondents’ knowledge, perception and practice of preventive sexual and reproductive health behaviour were poor. Inadequate knowledge and religion/faith were major influencing factors. Therefore, trainings to promote good preventive sexual and reproductive health practices of should be designed for the men.