Demand for heterosexual commercial sex services in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Context/Backgroud: This paper examines the demand for heterosexual commercial sex services in Ibadan, Nigeria with specific focus on the sub-markets where different commercial sex activities are usually traded. Identified players include commercial sex workers (females), clients (males) and intermediaries (exploiters). Data Sources & Method: This study employed multi-stage sampling procedure. At the first stage, the most populous local government area in Ibadan was purposively selected; for the second stage, ten locations where commercial sex work exists were purposively selected while eighteen (18) clients were randomly and discretely selected from each of the sites at the last stage. The eventual sample size was one hundred and sixty-eight (168) clients. The empirical model derived from the rational addiction theory and it was estimated using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique. Results: The results show that the demand is highly responsive to age, marital status, income, tastes and preferences and the price (with respect to condom usage). Clubs/bars, streets and houses were the highly patronised sub-markets, though the demand was increasing with short time and per night services in some sub-markets, it was decreasing in others. The nature of risk became more pronounced with clubs/bar clients being more risk loving while others were risk averse in other sub-markets based on their respective significant condom usage.