spirituality religiousity sex sexual health risky sexual behaviour
This study aimed to explore the relationship spirituality and religion had on sexual behaviour and experiences. A cross-sectional analytical survey involving 215 undergraduates from three tertiary institutions was conducted. These students were interviewed while on rural health practicum in a town in south west Nigeria. Spirituality was assessed with 9 questions having dichotomous responses. Maximum obtainable score was 18. Scores above the mean were classed as high spirituality. Mean age of respondents was 23.1±3.7 years, 59.1% were female, and 78.1% were Christian while 11.9% were Muslims. In all, 54.4% were sexually active. Among the sexually active 76(65%) were involved in Risky Sexual Behaviour (RSB). Spirituality/faith was an important part of the lives of 92.6% while 80% considered themselves to be moderately or very spiritual. Religious practices were reported on a daily basis by 83.7%. The mean age at sexual initiation was 17±5.2years. Less than half (49%) had multiple sexual partners, 22% received gifts for sex, 53% did not use condom at last sex, and 22% had unwanted pregnancy while 9% had Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). Logistic regression analysis revealed that spirituality had no influence on sexual risk behaviour. Many students were sexually active and a high proportion exhibited RSB. Sustainable sexual health responses targeted at reducing risk behaviour among young people should not be limited by perceived spirituality.
Details
Title
Religiousity and Risky Sexual Behaviour among Undergraduates in South West Nigeria
Authors
Olayinka Stephen Ilesanmi (Corresponding Author) - Federal Medical Centre
Olusimbo Kehinde Ige (Author) - University College Hospital, Ibadan
Faith Osaretin Alele (Author) - Federal Medical Centre
Publication details
Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, Vol.5(23), pp.2345-2351
Publisher
Richtmann Publishing
Date published
2014
DOI
10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p2345
ISSN
2039-2117; 2039-9340
Copyright note
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Organisation Unit
School of Health - Public Health
Language
English
Record Identifier
99967595502621
Output Type
Journal article
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Religiousity and Risky Sexual Behaviour among Undergraduates in South West Nigeria