Tasting the Forbidden Fruit: The Social Context of Debut Sexual Encounters among Young Persons in a Rural Nigerian Community

Abstract

What circumstances surround the initial sexual encounters of young persons? And what are their implications for adolescent sexual and reproductive health status? These questions, although rarely raised in reproductive health discourse, appear to be critical in broadening the systematic understanding of key issues that impose themselves on adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Against this background, the present study attempts to use the circumstances surrounding the debut sexual encounters of young persons in a rural Nigerian community as an entry point to understanding their vulnerability to sexual and reproductive health problems. Data for the study were gathered using in-depth interviews of 180 persons aged 11-25 years. Emerging evidence shows that first sexual encounter took place under conditions that exposed young people to infections, disability, and even death. The study recommends that there is need to build on the clear evidence that good sex and reproductive health education for young persons delay the onset of sexual activity and makes it safer when it eventually commences.