title: Sexual and Contraceptive Practices among Female Undergraduates in a Nigerian Tertiary Institution.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The reproductive health of adolescents and young women is integral to the wellbeing of a society. This study was carried out to determine current sexual practices and contraceptive usage among female undergraduate students in a Southwest Nigerian tertiary institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was a cross-sectional questionnaire based survey of female university undergraduates. Pre-tested questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-demographic variables and sexual and contraceptive practices. Frequency tables were generated and univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine factors that influenced sexual and contraceptive practices. SPSS software version 16.0 was used for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 350 students sampled, 306 completed the questionnaire. One hundred and eighty six (60.8%) students were currently sexually active. The mean age of sexual debut was 19.11 years. Sixty-six (35.5%) had more than one sexual partners. Contraceptive knowledge was 100%, but consistent use was 34.4%. A third of the respondents had sex for material rewards and/or under the influence of alcohol and recreational drugs. Students who were less than 20 years old (Adjusted OR: 3.52; 95%CI=2.10-6.82) were more likely to be sexually active while those from polygamous/separated families (Adjusted OR: 0.32; 95% CI=0.18-0.58) were less likely to be sexually active.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a high level of sexual activity and low contraceptive use among female undergraduate students in Southwest Nigeria. More reproductive health education and promotion is necessary to safeguard their sexual health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Akintayo Akinyemi
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Akinsoji
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Akin-Akintayo Oladunni
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Olufunmilola
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adanikin Abiodun
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Idowu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ade-Ojo Idowu
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Pius
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D016015:Logistic Models; D009549:Nigeria; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs
keywords: Nigeria; contraception; female undergraduates; sexual behaviour