RURAL-URBAN DIFFERENCES IN SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR AND MALE CONDOM USE AMONG NEVER MARRIED YOUTH IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The Acquired Immune Deficiency syndrome (AIDS) crisis, the increase in other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the continuing problem of unwanted pregnancies, necessitated new methods of barrier protection. Youths in Nigeria are engaged in risky sexual behaviour and are not quick at taking actions that would prevent or reduce the risk of STD and AIDS/HIV transmission. This study aimed at comparing sexual behaviour and condom use among never married youths in rural and urban areas using population based data from 2007 National HIV/AIDS and reproductive health survey (NARHS, 2007). It was a comparative cross sectional population based study and involved 3,046 never married youths aged 15-24 years living in rural and urban areas in Nigeria, selected from the study population of the NARHS, 2007. The primary survey was a national one, involving the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. Secondary data analyses were done using descriptive, chi-square and logistic regression statistic with the aid of SPSS statistical software. The total number of rural respondents was 2015 and urban respondents was 1311. There were more rural males (66.5%) than urban males (58.5%) and less females (33.5%) in rural areas than urban areas (41.1%). Regarding sexual behaviour, there were rural urban differences. Rural dwellers tend to initiate sexual relation (16.34±2.69) earlier than urban dwellers (17.06±2.64) and tend to have less multiple sexual partners (26.6%) compared to their urban counterparts (27.7%). Cross tabulation of variables on multiple sexual partners showed that education (p=0.0001), Religion (p=0.030), ethnicity (p=0.001) and access to information (p=0.001) were significantly associated with having more than one sexual partners. There were also rural-urban differences in ever-used and heard of the male condom among respondents less proportion (68.0%) of rural dwellers compared with (84.9%) of urban dwellers have ever heard of the male condom while (15.6%) of rural dwellers compared with (23.3%) of urban variables have ever used the male condom. Relationship between socio-demographic variables and ever used the male condom showed that all variables were significant (p<0.05) except for sex and religion (p>0.05). Relationship between socio demographic variables and ever heard of the male condom revealed that all variables were significant (p>0.05) except for age (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis of ever use of male condom on variables revealed that rural youths with poor access to information were 5 times less likely to have ever used the male condom than urban youths. Also regression awareness on ever heard of male condom showed that rural youths who have secondary education were 2.5 times less likely than urban youths. The major reason for using the male condom was to protect from HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancy with (66.1%, 168) in rural areas compared with (60.3%,40) in urban areas; while the major reason for not using the male condom by rural youths (58.9%,28) was because they did not enjoy using the device, compared with urban youths (34.2%,25) who gave other reason for not using the device. From this study, it is important to publicize the male condom which helps youths overcome the initial barriers and motivate them to use the device. In addition programmes geared towards behavioural change should be organized in the society. Such programmes should entail making the youths feel and perceive the risk of involving in certain risky sexual behaviour like unprotected sex.