WEALTH STATUS AND SEXUAL PARTNERSHIP PATTERN AMONG NIGERIAN MEN: EVIDENCE FROM THE 2007 NATIONAL HIV/AIDS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SURVEY (NARHS))

Abstract

Sexual behaviour in Nigeria is guided by traditional norms and values which differ among ethnic groups. However, the decline in traditional values associated with urbanization, engaging in premarital and extramarital sex have increased due to availability of commercial sex workers (CSWs) in urban and rural areas thus increasing the number of potential partners for sexual partnership. The scantly investigated notion in Nigeria and some other regions in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that men are biologically different from women in their need for sex is played out in their risky sexual behaviour pattern like concurrency, multiple sexual partnership and inconsistent condom use with casual partners or CSWs. This study was designed to investigate correlate and pattern of sexual partnership among Nigerian men. Data from 6165 sexually active men aged 15-64years who participated in the National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey (NARHS) were extracted from the main data. Wealth index was computed from data on assets (household item) ownership from factor scores generated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Data were analyzed using Descriptive statistics and multilevel logistic regression models. Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were obtained. There were variations in sexual partnership across location, ethnic group, region and wealth status. Respondents from urban areas were mostly in the middle-class ( 47.8%) while rural dwellers (55.6%) and men from the northern region were mostly in the poorest group. Wealth status did not influence men's multiple sexual partnership. When contextual factors was controlled for, the odds of having multiple sexual partners was 5% (OR=1.05, (95%CI=0.89-1.25) higher for men in the middle class and lower (OR=0.95, 95%CI=0. 76-1.18) for those in the poorest group compared to men in the richest group. The odds of having non-regular sexual partner was lower for men in the poorest group (OR=0.91, 95% CI=0.68-1.22) and 12% higher for men who were moderately rich (OR= 1.12, 95%CI=0.88-1.41 ). The hypothesis that wealth was associated with number and type of sexual partnership was not confirmed. The study concluded that the pattern of sexual partnership among Nigerian men varies according to individual characteristics and behavioural factors than their contextual characteristics.