Abstract

Objectives To assess the relationship between early sexual debut, risky sexual behaviours and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young males.Methods The study was cross-sectional analytical in design and involved 1278 Nigerian males aged 15–24 years. Logistic regression was used in assessing the statistical relationship between early sexual debut (<16 years) and self-reported STIs (history of at least one of three symptoms – painful urination, genital discharge, and genital ulcer/sore – within the past 12 months), with demographic factors, sexual behaviours and psychosocial measures controlled for.Results The prevalence of self-reported symptoms was 4.2% for genital discharge, 4.1% for painful urination, and 2.0% for genital sore/ulcer. Overall, 6.8% had STI symptom(s). At bivariate analysis, early sexual debut (p = 0.021), multiple partners (p < 0.001), concurrent partners (p = 0.002), and sex with casual/commercial partners (p = 0.013) were associated with STIs. At multivariate analysis, early sexual debut (odds ratio [OR] = 2.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.17–3.84) remained significantly associated with STIs. Multiple sexual partnership (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.13–3.52) was also significantly associated with STIs, and is a mediator of the association between early debut and STI.Conclusions Multiple sexual partners and early sexual debut are associated with STIs among adolescent and young adult males.

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