Abstract
The interconnection between men’s sexual behaviour as a contributor to burden of reproductive and sexual health diseases in sub-Saharan Africa are often presented with complex and sophisticated statistical analyses with little or no comprehension among the affected population that are mostly with little or no statistical literacy and education. The study adopted simplicity-parsimony idea as amalgam of simplicity and parsimony theories in analysing the trends and patterns of men’s sexual behaviour in Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zambia, the three countries selected from Eastern, Western and Southern parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Demographic Health Survey male-recode datasets (2000–2014) were used. Simple descriptive statistical techniques at univariate and bivariate levels were conducted. The results highlighted that men’s sexual behaviour are not the same in these regions. The men median sexual debut is 18 (Nigeria and Ethiopia) but 16 in Zambia. The median age at first cohabitation differs: 22 in Zambia and Ethiopia but higher in Nigeria. From 2000/2004 to 2010/2014, cohabitation practice reduced in Ethiopia across all ages but increased among men aged 25–29 (Zambia: 14.7–15.0%, Nigeria: 13.3–13.9%). There were declined in union-turnover in Ethiopia (−8.8%), Nigeria (−11.4%) and Zambia (−9.3%) including condom use; but non-spousal sex increased. The study concludes that the increase in non-spousal sex, non-condom use could have implications for STIs/HIV spread and zero-AIDS deaths agenda in the region. The authors suggest that policy decision-takers focus on non-spousal sex, non-use of condom, and union-turnover as crucial factors in the fight against STIs/HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.
Highlights
Men sexual behaviour is an important contributor to the burden of reproductive health diseases in sub-Saharan Africa
The study attempted to add to the limited literature currently existing on men sexual behaviour, but provided a 14 years wide-ranging descriptions of men sexual activities with numerous local but little international comparisons to sharpened the argument about men sexual behaviour in sub-Saharan Africa society
Generally, the study provided a simplified and timely trend statistics that could be relevant in spurring initiatives to stem increase in multiple sexual partnerships, non-spousal sex and uplift condom use among men at both individual and corporate levels
Summary
Men sexual behaviour is an important contributor to the burden of reproductive health diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. It represents a fundamental factor in fertility, family sizes, conjugal stability and remains indispensable to other population dynamics and events (Bingenheimer, 2010; Harrison et al, 2008; Mah & Halperin, 2010; Wellings et al, 2006). For countries with larger proportion of their (limited) educated population in lower education cadre, usually below university or higher colleges, flooding the databank or resources centres with complex statistics deprives overwhelming population the benefit of understanding and utilizing most health research outcomes. It is expedient to profile men’s sexual behaviour and present the same in manner that could be understandable by the majority of population whose lives and health are at risk
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