Sexual Identity, Preference and Prevalence of Forced Sexual Intercourse among Young People in an Urban Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Young people are at risk of being victims or perpetrators ofcoerced or forced sexual sex. In predominantly low- and middle-income countries, this contributes significantly to their risk for HIV infection, unwanted pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases. Current trends show that young people sexual identity and preferences affect their sexual and reproductive health. Objective: This study aims to determine prevalence of coerced or forced sexual intercourse, sexual identity and sexual preferences of young people in Oluku Community, Ovia North East, Local Government, Edo State, South Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in June, 2013 using multi-stage sampling method. Results: A total of 400 young people participated in this study. The mean age was 17.8 ± 3.9 years. A higher proportion of respondents were of the Bini ethnic group 145 (36.3%). Most respondents were Christians 346 (86.5%) while 33 (8.2%) were Moslems. Majority of the respondents had secondary education 271 (67.8%), most were single 363 (90.8%) and were from families with a monogamous setting 289 (72.3%). The prevalence of forced sex was 12.9%, similarly, condom use during forced sex was 27.8%. More females (15.3%) than males (9.6%) had experienced forced sex; forced sex was common among young people from older age group, monogamous homes, and those living in a flat or self contained. Majority (95.3%) of adolescent’s sexual preference was vaginal, only a few preferred oral (3.3%) and anal sex (1.5%). Religion was associated with sexual preference and identity. The sexual identity of most (98.0%) young person’s was heterosexual (or different sex), while 0.5% were homosexual (or same sex) and 1.5% bisexual (or both). Conclusion and Recommendations: Legislation against forced and coerced sex, rape and other forms of sexual violence should be formulated and implemented.