A Multivariate analysis of adloscent sexual behaviour in South Western Nigerai

Abstract

This study examines the spatial variation in adolescent sexual behaviour and the underlying socio-economic determinants in South-Western Nigeria. Data collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire administered to 1,670 adolescents were analysed using Multiple Analysis of Variance. Results show among other things that, first sex experience is a near universal experience among the adolescents and that, compared with earlier studies, there is a declining age of first sex experience. Religion was observed to play significant role in delaying on-set of sexual experience. An inverse relationship between level of education and heterosexuality among adolescent was observed. Against the background of widespread non-use of Family Planning, there is observed high tendency for first sex experience to be with “strange bed fellows”. This is particularly so among respondents with low or no formal education.

IFI PsychologIA Vol. 15 (1) 2007: pp. 53-77