Original Article: Socio-demographic Determinants of Sexual Risk Behavior among Senior Secondary Schools Students in a Military Barracks in Nigeria

Abstract

Context: Social, economic and political factors are rapidly changing the ways that young people must prepare for adult life. These changes have enormous implications also for their sexual health and behaviors. Objective: To determine the socio-demographic factors associated with sexual risk behaviors among senior secondary schools students in Ojo military barracks, Lagos. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 400 senior secondary schools students in Ojo military barracks, Lagos, selected using multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using pretested, self- administered semi- structured questionnaires and analysed using statistical package for social sciences version 17. Chi-square test was used to identify statistically significant associations between sexual behavior and socio-demographic variables. Logistic regression was used to estimate the probability of ever had sex, adjusted for thirteen design effects. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Respondents from the boys single- sex school 44(55.7%) were most likely to engage in sexual intercourse (p= 0.000). Those from polygamous settings 101(42.8%) were more likely to engage in sexual intercourse (p= 0.034). Low socio- economic background for both parents and doing income earning jobs were associated with sexual intercourse (p= 0.008; p= 0.021; p= 0.000). Living with single parent is a very strong predictor of ever had sex (p=0.000). Conclusions: Sexual risk behavior was found to be associated with increasing age, living with one parent, polygamy, low educational cum socio-economic statuses. We recommend formal comprehensive sex education programs for the students and improved conditions of service for the military personnel.