Risky Sexual Behaviour among Students of Tertiary Institutions in South-South, Nigeria: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: The prevalence and global trend of risky sexual behaviours are of concern due to its attendant health implications. Apparently, the social activities of teens and young adults predispose them to risky sexual behaviour than adults, as a result of peer pressure or influence. The prevalence and global trend of risky sexual behaviours are of concern due to its attendant health implications. The study was conducted in two tertiary institutions in Rivers State, Nigeria among sixteen (16) medical and nursing students of 100 and 200 levels within the ages of 16 and 22 years; eight (8) from each institution in September 2019. The two institutions are PAMO University of Medical Sciences and University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Aim: The study is aimed at eliciting information on awareness, knowledge, attitude and involvement in risky sexual behaviours amongst the students in tertiary institutions, South of Nigeria. Information is needed for a goal and result oriented intervention programme to curb the menace of risky sexual bebaviour. This motivated the researchers to adopt a qualitative study through which in-depth information on the matter could be harvested for an effective intervention. Materials and method: A Focus Group Discussion design was adopted for the study and consists of thirteen (13) open ended questions that guided the discussion. This was designed by the chief investigator and reviewed by experts in the field for the purpose of extracting relevant information from the participants. Purposeful sampling method was adopted to make sure age criteria and both sexes were equally represented. In-depth interview method was adopted to extract information from participants over two days. Information gathered was transcribed daily and summarized in themes based on objectives of the study. Result: The study revealed that the participants have good knowledge of what risky sexual behaviours mean as well as its consequences. Majority, especially the females condemned the act even though there was carefree attitude towards risky sexual behavior as deduced from the study as participants affirm that the “pleasure in sexual relationship whether risky or not overrides the consequences”. Majority of the participants affirmed to have been involved in a risky sexual behavior at one time or the other. Conclusion: Participants expressed thirst for information and remedies to reduce the incidence of risky sexual behaviours among young adults. The information gathered would guide an intervention programme to prevent and control risky sexual behavior which is considered of a public health importance.