*¹Omobowale, O. C., ²Adebayo, A. M., and ³Omokhodion, F. O.
[1]Rehabilitative and Social Medicine Unit, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
[2]Reproductive and Family Health Unit, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
[3]Occupational Health Unit, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
*Correspondence to: ocomobowale@com.ui.edu.ng; Tel: +2348023416855
Abstract:
Background: Fresh graduates of tertiary institutions are at a stage in their lives characterized by searching, discovery, and sexual experimentation. They engage in high-risk sexual behaviours and poor reproductive health practices. The objective of this study is to assess the sexual and reproductive health practices of young female graduates and to highlight the factors associated with these practices.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 413 fresh female graduates from Nigerian tertiary institutions who were on the one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp at Iseyin, Oyo state. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, and sexual and reproductive health practices were collected using a semistructured, self-administered pretested questionnaire. The data were analysed using SPSS version 22. Association between variables was determined using Chi square and Fisher Exact tests, with level of significance at p<0.05.
Results: The mean age of the 413 respondents was 25±2.2 years. More than half of the respondents (63.7%, n=263) had ever had sexual intercourse, with the youngest age at sexual debut being 14 years. About half of those who are sexually active (48.3%, n=127) did not use contraceptives. Condom was the commonest type of contraceptive used (79.4%, n=108/136). Multiple sexual partners (42%, n=110/263), poor contraceptive use (49%, n=129/263), early sexual debut (18.6%, n=49/263), pregnancy (34.6%, n=91/263), unwanted pregnancy (11.0%, n=29/263), history of abortion (17.1%, n=45/263) and induced abortion (14.8%, n=39/263) were recorded among sexually active respondents. Multiple sexual partners (OR=4.2, 95% CI=1.503-11.469, p=0.006) and age at sexual debut (OR=2.2, 95% CI=1.065-4.601 p=0.033) were significantly associated with history of abortion among the respondents, and multiple sexual partners was significantly associated with pregnancy (OR=7.2, 95% CI=2.74320.118, p=0.000).
Conclusion: In this study, a high proportion of the study participants had risky sexual and poor reproductive health practices. Targeted reproductive health promotion and education interventions for this population set would be highly beneficial.
Keywords: Sexual health, behaviour, practices, fresh female graduates, abortions, multiple sexual partners
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