Housing characteristics as determinants of Sexuality and Reproductive behaviour of Rural and Urban Adolescents in the Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

One of the main essentials of life is housing. A major problem in Nigeria is access to adequate housing. Housing conditions in Nigeria are worrisome and it has been documented in literature that human behaviour is not unconnected to their home environment. This study examines the influence of housing characteristics on sexuality and reproductive behaviour of rural and urban adolescents in southwest Nigeria. Random and systematic sampling were used to draw 1,150 adolescents from three urban areas while purposive and total enumeration techniques were used to sample 224 adolescents from three rural areas. Multiple Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was used to analyse how housing characteristics influenced sexuality and reproductive behaviour of adolescents in urban and rural areas. Our findings show that Nigerian adolescents are becoming more reproductive than being productive, due to their alarming rate of illicit sexual practices. Manova Test showed that number of households in a house influenced significantly frequency of sex had by both rural and urban adolescents in 6 months with p values < 0.05. The study concludes that the level of housing deterioration in Nigeria has largely influenced illicit sexual practices among adolescents. Thus, it is pertinent for government to efficiently provide affordable housing to Nigerians and intensify efforts in public enlightenments against illicit sexual behaviour among adolescents.