Sexual behaviour and associated risk factors among adolescent/ young adult male transport workers at Yaba bus stop, Lagos

Abstract

Sexual activity is increasing among young people with negative consequences and out of school males are a vulnerable segment of the population. This study was carried out to examine the sexual behaviour of young males who are out of school and identify factors that influence their behaviour. This descriptive study was conducted among all the three hundred and ninety one young male bus conductors and drivers at Yaba bus stop Lagos. They were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Almost all the respondents (93.4%) have had sexual intercourse and many of them with multiple partners. Less than half of them used condoms at every intercourse. Their main reasons for initiating sexual intercourse were peer pressure and curiosity. There was a significant relationship between early initiation of sexual intercourse and use of drugs and alcohol(p<0.05).Respondents who have resided with their parents initiated intercourse at an older age than those residing with other people.(p<0.05) Many young out of school males are sexually active and engage in high-risk sexual behaviour. Provision of sexuality education programmes, co-habitation of parents with their young children and the control of use of alcohol and drugs are important in delaying sexual initiation and reducing sexual risk taking among young people.