Sexual behaviour of Nigerian university students.

Objective - The objective of this study was to document selected aspects of the sexuality of Nigerian university students, specifically sexual behaviour, attitudes about sexuality, the circumstances of sexual intercourse and preventive sexual behaviour. Method - A total of 1 153 students at two federal universities in Nigeria completed a self administered questionnaire. Results - The mean age of first intercourse was 17.0 years for males and 19.1 years for females. Male students were more likely to have had sex and to engage in unsafe sex. There were no obvious differences between the genders in the numbers of same-sex partners. Levels of sexual activity were high. For example, 53.8% had experienced intercourse, and 24.4% reported more than one regular sex partner. Male students displayed more permissive attitudes than female students. A minority reported having the same sexual attitudes as their parents or friends, and discussing their sex lives with their parents. A substantial proportion of the students believed that if you loved a partner you could not ask him/her to use condom while having sex. Condoms were the most commonly reported preventive method that was used. The majority of both male and female students reported that they 'always' or 'often' used protection when having sex. Conclusions - There is a need to begin to address emerging reproductive health issues in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Data regarding attitudes about sexuality and circumstances of intercourse can inform the content of intervention programmes.