Changes in sexual risk behavior among adolescents: is the HIV prevention programme in Nigeria yielding results?

This study conducted an analysis of the 2007 and 2012 National HIV and AIDS Reproductive Health Survey data with the aim of identifying the changes in high risk sexual behaviour among adolescents aged 15-19 years. It focused on changes in the history of use of condom with boyfriends/girlfriends, engagement in transactional sex, sex with multiple partners and age of sexual debut. Bivariate analysis was conducted to ascertain differences in the number of adolescents who engaged in these high sexual risk behaviours over the five-year study period. Data was also analysed for association between risk behaviour and possible predisposing factors. Over the five year period, HIV prevalence in the population increased significantly (p = 0.02) especially in female (p = 0.008). The number of female adolescents who became sexually active decreased significantly (p = 0.02), and use of condom at last sexual act with non-marital sexual partners significantly increased (p = 0.01). There was an insignificant increase in the proportion of males and females who engaged in transactional sex and who had multiple sex partners over the study period. More females who engaged in transactional sex were HIV positive (p = 0.01), and more males who were sexually active in the last 12 months were HIV positive (p = 0.01). There may be a need to redress the current HIV prevention intervention strategies. Attention needs to be paid to the national programme for the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV programme as well as HIV prevention needs of female adolescents.