Reproductive, Sexual and Contraceptive Behaviour of Adolescents in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This is a multi-stage random sampling study involving 896 male and female adolescents aged 11-25 years in Niger State of Nigeria. Thirty three per cent of them had already had first sexual experience. Only 3.6% were married. Most of the Gwari and Hausa respondents acknowledged that they married at an earlier age than the Yoruba respondents. One half of those who were sexually experienced had more than one sexual partner. Majority of the respondents were informed about HIV/AIDS and STDs. More Gwari and Hausa respondents felt that HIV infection could be prevented by not having multiple sexual partners than Yoruba and Igbo respondents. A wide disparity between contraceptive knowledge and use was found. Knowledge rate was between 41.9% and 63.8%, while use rate was between 0.7% and 12.5% for the contraceptive methods studied. Condom knowledge and use rate was highest. For prevention of HIV/AIDS, more males than females thought condom was useful. Most Gwari and Hausa respondents did not use any FP method during their first sexual relationships. It is imperative for reproductive health programmes to intensify efforts in improving adolescents' attitude towards sexual risk and motivate them to exhibit behaviours that limit it.