Prevalence and Determinants of Risky Sexual Behaviour among Street Children in Nigeria: Evidence from Lagos and Ibadan Metropolises
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Date
2019
Authors
Oyefara, J.L
Eborka, K.
Adejoh, S.O
Akeju, D.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Unilag Press
Abstract
This study examined the prevalence and determinants of risky sexual behaviour among street children in Lagos and Ibadan metropolises, Nigeria. Many young people in the street are involved in a high level of sexual activity. In the context of lack of information and knowledge about the nature and dynamics of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people, street children are particularly in grave danger because their social condition and environment make them more susceptible to the infections of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV and AIDS) and STIs. The study aimed to understand the social forces propelling street children’s .involvement in risky sexual behaviour. A sample size of 2,000 respondents was selectedfor the quantitative study across the two locations (1,000 from each location), 50 in-depth
interviews (IDIs), comprising 25 in each of the locations; and 20 focused group discussions (FGDs), consisting of 10 in Lagos and 10 in Ibadan, were conducted among
street children. Results showed a high level of sexual activities among street children in
both locations with 41.3% and 29.5% in Lagos and Ibadan respectively reporting that they were sexually active. Qualitative data revealed that a significant number of them were raped in their first sexualexperience. In both locations, there were high levels of irregular use of condom and involvement in same-sex sexual intercourse. Findings suggest parents’ experience of marital dissolution was significantly related to street children’s sexual activities with p<0.001. Similarly, drug and alcohol usage was found to
be related to involvement in high sexual activities. As a way forward, the study recommended the introduction of programmes to reintegrate street children back to
normal life, reunite those whose families are intact and relocate others to government facilities, as their needs and circumstances demand.
Description
Scholarly articles
Keywords
Street , Children , HIV & AIDS , Sexual behaviour , Ibadan , Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Social work
Citation
Oyefara, J.L., K Eborka, S.O. Adejoh, & D Akeju (2019). Prevalence and determinants of risky sexual behaviour among street children in Nigeria: evidence from Lagos and Ibadan Metropolises. Unilag Journal of Humanities 7 (2), 115-132