Premarital Sexuality in Urban Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines changes and differentials in premarital sexual activity in Nigerian cities. The incidence of sexual activity before marriage provides an indication of the extent of erosion in traditional practices and in family control of young women's behavior in urban areas. Pregnancy and childbirth outside of marriage and traditional family support systems have also become a matter of increasing concern in many African cities, especially in the public health community. The results suggest that premarital sexual behavior has become more common over time, as Nigerian society has undergone marked social change, and that premarital sexual behavior appears to be more common among women who come from nontraditional backgrounds. Relatively few premaritally sexually active women attempted to avoid pregnancy by using a contraceptive method, although premarital contraceptive use is more common in younger cohorts, and among more educated women. Much of the contraceptive use that occurs, however, is use of efficient methods.