**3. Methods**

This study used data from the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), which was carried out by ORC Macro and the National Population Commission. The sample was selected using a stratified 2-stage cluster design consisting of 888 clusters taken from a list of enumeration areas developed for the 2006 Population Census. A nationally representative probability sample of 36,800 households was then selected from the clusters, with a minimum target of 950 completed interviews per state, in which all women aged 15 to 49 years were eligible to be interviewed. The men's questionnaire was administered to all men aged 15 to 59 years in a sub-sample of half of the households. The survey collected information between June and October 2008. The data are intended to furnish program

Intergenerational Sexual Relationship in Nigeria:

of intergenerational sex under the given scenario

**3.1 Variable definition and relations** 

variables in the multivariate analysis.

Implications for Negotiating Safe Sexual Practices 55

respondent and her first sexual partner). Finally, model 4 adds a measure of media exposure (frequency of watching television) and socio-cultural influence (region). This analytical procedure provides an opportunity to examine how each set of explanatory factors is

Logistic regression was used in determining the effects of predictor variables on the outcome variable (intergenerational sexual relationship). The logistic regression model also offers ease of interpretation through the use of odds ratios. The logistic regression function has the form In (p/q) = B0 + B1X1 + … + BkXk, where p is the probability that a respondent who engaged in higher risk sexual relationship with a man 10 years or more older; q (or 1-p) is the probability that the respondent did not have sex with a man 10 years or more older in the past 12 month prior to their interview. B0, B1, … Bk are regression coefficients, and X1, X2, … Xk are factors. The exponential of the regression coefficients of the parameter estimated gives the odds ratios in the logistic regression models, which is interpreted as the likelihood

As earlier stated, the 2008 NDHS questionnaire elicited information on sexual activity with non-marital partners and in the 12-months preceding the survey and whether the male sexual partner is 10 years older. The dependent variable, intergenerational sex, - defined as relationships between younger women and older men who are 10 or more years older in the last 12-months. The operational variables include age, ethnicity, place of residence, wealth index (poverty proxy), education, region, age difference between respondent and her first sexual partner and age at sexual debut. The socio-cultural and demographic variables were transformed either into categorical or dichotomous variables and entered as dummy

It is hypothesized that intergenerational sexual experience will decrease with age. Because the younger the girl experiencing sex, the older her partners will be and presumably by age 18, many of the girls would be ceasing the relationship with the much older partner and have taken a sexual partner closer to their own age which may likely be their permanent suitor. Current age of respondents is grouped into four categories (15 – 17; 18– 21 and 22 – 24) and the likelihood of having intergenerational sexual relationship is expected to decrease with age. Age at sexual debut is included as an explanatory variable because it has been found to be significantly associated high risk sexual behavior (Gomez, et. al., 2008). It is therefore necessary to explore whether this association holds among Nigerian girls. Age at first sexual encounter is

Religion is believed to have a profound impact on the behaviour and viewpoint of individuals. Even in the face of modernization and its consequences on cultural practices, religion still seems to hold a firm grip on moral values relating to sexual practices and behaviour. Therefore, girls who are more religious are more likely to hold strong, rigid, and fundamentalist religious beliefs that may discourage their sexual escapades before marriage in order to remain virgin. However, the relationship between religious affiliation and sexual practices, particularly intergenerational sex, is likely to be mediated by social and demographic factors, such as education of the respondent and region of residence. The

Ethnicity is an important proxy of cultural factors affecting sexual behaviour since it encompasses values and norms that govern the behavioural and psychological aspects of social interaction between men and women in a particular socio-cultural space. It may also

sub-divided into four categories: below 15, 15 – 17, 18 years and older.

religious affiliation sub-groups used are Catholic, Other Christians and Islam.

associated with young women's engagement in intergenerational sex.

managers and policy makers with detailed information on the levels and trends in fertility; nuptiality; sexual activity; fertility preferences; awareness and use of family planning methods; infants and young children feeding practices; nutritional status of mothers and young children; early childhood mortality and maternal mortality; maternal and child health; and awareness and behavior regarding HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. The data also provided information on malaria prevention and treatment; neglected tropical diseases; domestic violence; fistulae and female genital cutting.

Since the main thrust of this paper is to examine the prevalence of, and factors associated with intergenerational sexual relationship among young women aged 15 – 24 years; we examined the relevant questions within the survey to provide information on the indicators. Specifically, young women age 15 -24 who had sex with a non-marital, non-cohabiting partners in the 12 months prior to the survey were asked whether the man was younger, about the same age, or older than they were. If older, they were asked if they thought he was less than ten years older or ten or more years older. The analysis was restricted to those who had sexual relationship with a man who was 10 or more years older than them.

The dependent variable was binary and defined as the occurrence of the young women aged 15 – 24 years reporting having had sex with non-marital and non cohabitating male partners in the past 12 months who are at least 10 years older and those who did not. Possible confounders and other independent variables identified through the literature and theoretic reasoning fell into two (2) main groups: socio-economic and behavioural variables. In the first group were length of time away from home, place of residence (urban/rural), religion, ethnicity, regions, age, and educational attainment. While variables such as age at sexual debut, age difference between respondent and her first sexual partner and frequency of media exposure were considered in second group. Demographic, socio-economic and behavioural variables were included in the analysis to identify factors for possible intervention and to act as control variables in the analytical models.

 The data analysis employed both descriptive and analytical techniques. Both descriptive and analytical analyses were conducted to ascertain the association and net effect of the respondents' background characteristics and identified confounders on the dependent variable (intergenerational sex) when controls for the selected background characteristics were introduced. The statistical analyses were undertaken in two phases. The descriptive statistics show the distribution of respondents by the key variables, and in the bivariate analysis, the relationship between each explanatory variable and the dependent variable was examined. Finally, multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to examine the net effects of the variables on the likelihood of having an intergenerational sexual relationship. First, socio-demographic characteristics and behavioural factors thought to be related to the intergenerational sexual relationships were examined using a Pearson x2 test.

Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for predictors of women reporting high-risk sex within the last 12 months with older men of at least 10 years and older. Four structured regression models were estimated to describe the likelihood that a young woman would have had intergenerational sex when the different categories of the covariates are statistically controlled. Model 1 treats the likelihood of intergenerational sex as a function of the basic socio-economic variables (age, education, wealth index). Model 2 adds measures of socio-cultural influences (place of residence and ethnicity). The third model adds measures of attitudes and behavioural factors (age at sexual debut and age difference between

managers and policy makers with detailed information on the levels and trends in fertility; nuptiality; sexual activity; fertility preferences; awareness and use of family planning methods; infants and young children feeding practices; nutritional status of mothers and young children; early childhood mortality and maternal mortality; maternal and child health; and awareness and behavior regarding HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. The data also provided information on malaria prevention and treatment;

Since the main thrust of this paper is to examine the prevalence of, and factors associated with intergenerational sexual relationship among young women aged 15 – 24 years; we examined the relevant questions within the survey to provide information on the indicators. Specifically, young women age 15 -24 who had sex with a non-marital, non-cohabiting partners in the 12 months prior to the survey were asked whether the man was younger, about the same age, or older than they were. If older, they were asked if they thought he was less than ten years older or ten or more years older. The analysis was restricted to those

The dependent variable was binary and defined as the occurrence of the young women aged 15 – 24 years reporting having had sex with non-marital and non cohabitating male partners in the past 12 months who are at least 10 years older and those who did not. Possible confounders and other independent variables identified through the literature and theoretic reasoning fell into two (2) main groups: socio-economic and behavioural variables. In the first group were length of time away from home, place of residence (urban/rural), religion, ethnicity, regions, age, and educational attainment. While variables such as age at sexual debut, age difference between respondent and her first sexual partner and frequency of media exposure were considered in second group. Demographic, socio-economic and behavioural variables were included in the analysis to identify factors for possible

 The data analysis employed both descriptive and analytical techniques. Both descriptive and analytical analyses were conducted to ascertain the association and net effect of the respondents' background characteristics and identified confounders on the dependent variable (intergenerational sex) when controls for the selected background characteristics were introduced. The statistical analyses were undertaken in two phases. The descriptive statistics show the distribution of respondents by the key variables, and in the bivariate analysis, the relationship between each explanatory variable and the dependent variable was examined. Finally, multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to examine the net effects of the variables on the likelihood of having an intergenerational sexual relationship. First, socio-demographic characteristics and behavioural factors thought to be related to the intergenerational sexual relationships were examined using a Pearson x2 test. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for predictors of women reporting high-risk sex within the last 12 months with older men of at least 10 years and older. Four structured regression models were estimated to describe the likelihood that a young woman would have had intergenerational sex when the different categories of the covariates are statistically controlled. Model 1 treats the likelihood of intergenerational sex as a function of the basic socio-economic variables (age, education, wealth index). Model 2 adds measures of socio-cultural influences (place of residence and ethnicity). The third model adds measures of attitudes and behavioural factors (age at sexual debut and age difference between

neglected tropical diseases; domestic violence; fistulae and female genital cutting.

who had sexual relationship with a man who was 10 or more years older than them.

intervention and to act as control variables in the analytical models.

respondent and her first sexual partner). Finally, model 4 adds a measure of media exposure (frequency of watching television) and socio-cultural influence (region). This analytical procedure provides an opportunity to examine how each set of explanatory factors is associated with young women's engagement in intergenerational sex.

Logistic regression was used in determining the effects of predictor variables on the outcome variable (intergenerational sexual relationship). The logistic regression model also offers ease of interpretation through the use of odds ratios. The logistic regression function has the form In (p/q) = B0 + B1X1 + … + BkXk, where p is the probability that a respondent who engaged in higher risk sexual relationship with a man 10 years or more older; q (or 1-p) is the probability that the respondent did not have sex with a man 10 years or more older in the past 12 month prior to their interview. B0, B1, … Bk are regression coefficients, and X1, X2, … Xk are factors. The exponential of the regression coefficients of the parameter estimated gives the odds ratios in the logistic regression models, which is interpreted as the likelihood of intergenerational sex under the given scenario

#### **3.1 Variable definition and relations**

As earlier stated, the 2008 NDHS questionnaire elicited information on sexual activity with non-marital partners and in the 12-months preceding the survey and whether the male sexual partner is 10 years older. The dependent variable, intergenerational sex, - defined as relationships between younger women and older men who are 10 or more years older in the last 12-months. The operational variables include age, ethnicity, place of residence, wealth index (poverty proxy), education, region, age difference between respondent and her first sexual partner and age at sexual debut. The socio-cultural and demographic variables were transformed either into categorical or dichotomous variables and entered as dummy variables in the multivariate analysis.

It is hypothesized that intergenerational sexual experience will decrease with age. Because the younger the girl experiencing sex, the older her partners will be and presumably by age 18, many of the girls would be ceasing the relationship with the much older partner and have taken a sexual partner closer to their own age which may likely be their permanent suitor. Current age of respondents is grouped into four categories (15 – 17; 18– 21 and 22 – 24) and the likelihood of having intergenerational sexual relationship is expected to decrease with age. Age at sexual debut is included as an explanatory variable because it has been found to be significantly associated high risk sexual behavior (Gomez, et. al., 2008). It is therefore necessary to explore whether this association holds among Nigerian girls. Age at first sexual encounter is sub-divided into four categories: below 15, 15 – 17, 18 years and older.

Religion is believed to have a profound impact on the behaviour and viewpoint of individuals. Even in the face of modernization and its consequences on cultural practices, religion still seems to hold a firm grip on moral values relating to sexual practices and behaviour. Therefore, girls who are more religious are more likely to hold strong, rigid, and fundamentalist religious beliefs that may discourage their sexual escapades before marriage in order to remain virgin. However, the relationship between religious affiliation and sexual practices, particularly intergenerational sex, is likely to be mediated by social and demographic factors, such as education of the respondent and region of residence. The religious affiliation sub-groups used are Catholic, Other Christians and Islam.

Ethnicity is an important proxy of cultural factors affecting sexual behaviour since it encompasses values and norms that govern the behavioural and psychological aspects of social interaction between men and women in a particular socio-cultural space. It may also

Intergenerational Sexual Relationship in Nigeria:

**3.2 Respondents' profile** 

classified in the fifth quintile.

results indicate widespread access to media.

Implications for Negotiating Safe Sexual Practices 57

A total of 12, 649 young females, aged 15-24 years were interviewed during the 2008 NDHS and 2,029 of these young women who engaged in higher-risk sexual intercourse in the past 12 months were analyzed in this study. The basic-demographic characteristics of the study population are provided in Table 2. About 44 percent of them were 15-19 years of age while the remaining 56.5 percent were aged 20-24 years. The median age of the respondents was 20.0 years. The survey indicated that 6 out of 10 of the respondents resided in rural areas and regional spatial distribution of the study population shows that 74.1 percent of them resided in the southern regions of South-east, south-south and south-west, while the remaining 25.9 percent resided in the three-regions in the northern part of the country. The distribution of respondents by ethnic affiliation shows that 12.9 percent are Igbo, 13.0 percent are Yoruba; 1.1 percent are Hausa/Fulani; minority ethnic groups constitute 26.5 percent. Of the minority ethnic groups, the northern minorities constitute 5.0 percent of the respondents, while southern minorities constitute 21.5.0 percent. Other ethnic groups in Nigeria with population less than 1 percent of the country population constitute 33.1 percent Majority (73.4 percent) of the young women under study had secondary education. While about 15 per cent of them had post-secondary education, 9.7 percent and 2.1 percent had primary education and no formal education respectively. Christians constituted a majority of the sampled population with about nine out of ten young females being Christians. Muslims constituted 12.4 per cent. Another important background characteristic considered in the analysis was the wealth quintile. Wealth quintile constructed from the household facilities is used as a proxy for economic status. The level of wealth quintile ranges from the first to the fifth quintile, corresponding to the least and most well off respectively. The Wealth quintile revealed that about one out of four young women were from households

Table 2 reveals a high level of exposure to electronic media. Three out of ten of the respondents listened to the radio at least once in a while and about 32.6 percent of young women who engaged in higher-risk sexual intercourse in the past 12 months reported listening to the radio every day. About a quarter (22.7 percent) had never watched television; while 37.7 percent watched television every day. The reading of newspaper or magazine is low among the study population. Over half 56.3 percent had never read newspaper or magazine while 4.5 percent read newspaper or magazine every day. The

Table 2 further compared the characteristics of sexually experienced young women and those among them that engaged in higher-risk sexual intercourse in the preceding 12 months before the survey. The result reveals that there is no major difference between those who are sexually experienced and those among them engaged in higher-risk sexual relationship with men ten years or more years older than them. For instance, 43.5 percent of those who had intergenerational sexual relationships are 15 – 19 as compared with 37.9 percent of the counterparts that are sexually experienced. The median age for both subgroups was 20.0 years. Furthermore, those young women who engaged in higher-risk sexual intercourse are likely to reside more in urban areas; reside more in southern regions, more educated, come from more affluence households, belong to Christian religious especially those who are protestants or Pentecostals and have more access to the media than

sexually experienced young women age 15 – 24 interviewed during the 2008 NDHS.

reflect the level of openness to influences of and/or adherence to other cultures due to interactions with different areas and/or regions. With more than 389 ethnic groups in Nigeria, ethnic differences are critical in explaining cultural differences and behavioural patterns, including sexual relations and practices. Also the heterogeneity of ethnic groups in Nigeria implies that social changes takes place at different paces and in a non-uniform manner since some ethnic groups may be more receptive to change than others. For this paper, ethnic affiliation is categorized into five sub-groups based on their numerical strength and affinity. The ethnic sub-divisions used are Igbo, Yoruba, northern minorities, southern minorities and others due to small number of cases for Hausa/Fulani ethnic group. The northern and southern minorities comprise numerous smaller ethnic groups in the north and south respectively while other ethnic group consist mainly small tribe with less than 2 percent of the country population, whose sample sizes were too small to stand alone in the analysis. This analytical convenience, however, does not suggest that each of the two broad ethnic groupings is homogeneous in their socio-cultural environment or behaviour.

In view of the paucity of research on regional differential in intergenerational sex, it is significant in this paper to explore the phenomenon within the 2008 NDHS data that contain comparable and representative regional information. Apart from underscoring the structural patterns within the Nigerian community, region represents differences in the socio-economic and cultural influence on respondent sexual practices, particularly intergenerational sexuality. It is important also to note that regions constitute a proxy for social change or development. In this paper, Nigeria is sub-divided into two distinct geopolitical regions namely; Northern and Southern region. Place of residence is also included to capture the influence of urban and rural residence on the likelihood of intergenerational sex.

It is hypothesized that younger women at lower wealth quintile are more likely to engage in intergenerational relations than those at higher wealth quintiles. However, this relationship depends on the interplay of several other confounding factors such as age of the respondent, educational attainment, and place of residence. Since studies have reported a key motivational factor while young girls engage in sexual activity with older men is because of their economic status (Gage, 1998; Orubuloye, et. al., 1992; Meekers and Calves, 1997) it is important to see whether wealth index as constructed in the NDHS could help shed light on the interplay of poverty with intergenerational sexual relationships. Wealth index was constructed from the household facilities and ownership of a certain consumer items such as television, radio, bicycle, car, as well as dwelling characteristics such as source of drinking water, power supply, type of sanitation facilities, and type of material used in flooring and roofing the dwelling units. Each household was assigned a score for each asset, and the scores were summed up; individuals were ranked according to the total score of the household in which they resided. The aggregate scores were then divided into quintiles, from one to five, corresponding to the poorest and the wealthiest groups.

Educational attainment was categorized as less than secondary education, secondary education and post-secondary education. Residence and region were included based on the method of sampling used by the NDHS. Although original sampling was performed using the 37 states, the analysis included regions because of the relatively few number of cases in some states and risk of non-convergence in the multivariate statistical methods. Finally, media exposure was categorized according to self-reported frequency of watching, listening to, or reading the television, radio, or newspapers/magazines.

#### **3.2 Respondents' profile**

56 Social and Psychological Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Their Ramifications

reflect the level of openness to influences of and/or adherence to other cultures due to interactions with different areas and/or regions. With more than 389 ethnic groups in Nigeria, ethnic differences are critical in explaining cultural differences and behavioural patterns, including sexual relations and practices. Also the heterogeneity of ethnic groups in Nigeria implies that social changes takes place at different paces and in a non-uniform manner since some ethnic groups may be more receptive to change than others. For this paper, ethnic affiliation is categorized into five sub-groups based on their numerical strength and affinity. The ethnic sub-divisions used are Igbo, Yoruba, northern minorities, southern minorities and others due to small number of cases for Hausa/Fulani ethnic group. The northern and southern minorities comprise numerous smaller ethnic groups in the north and south respectively while other ethnic group consist mainly small tribe with less than 2 percent of the country population, whose sample sizes were too small to stand alone in the analysis. This analytical convenience, however, does not suggest that each of the two broad

ethnic groupings is homogeneous in their socio-cultural environment or behaviour.

sex.

In view of the paucity of research on regional differential in intergenerational sex, it is significant in this paper to explore the phenomenon within the 2008 NDHS data that contain comparable and representative regional information. Apart from underscoring the structural patterns within the Nigerian community, region represents differences in the socio-economic and cultural influence on respondent sexual practices, particularly intergenerational sexuality. It is important also to note that regions constitute a proxy for social change or development. In this paper, Nigeria is sub-divided into two distinct geopolitical regions namely; Northern and Southern region. Place of residence is also included to capture the influence of urban and rural residence on the likelihood of intergenerational

It is hypothesized that younger women at lower wealth quintile are more likely to engage in intergenerational relations than those at higher wealth quintiles. However, this relationship depends on the interplay of several other confounding factors such as age of the respondent, educational attainment, and place of residence. Since studies have reported a key motivational factor while young girls engage in sexual activity with older men is because of their economic status (Gage, 1998; Orubuloye, et. al., 1992; Meekers and Calves, 1997) it is important to see whether wealth index as constructed in the NDHS could help shed light on the interplay of poverty with intergenerational sexual relationships. Wealth index was constructed from the household facilities and ownership of a certain consumer items such as television, radio, bicycle, car, as well as dwelling characteristics such as source of drinking water, power supply, type of sanitation facilities, and type of material used in flooring and roofing the dwelling units. Each household was assigned a score for each asset, and the scores were summed up; individuals were ranked according to the total score of the household in which they resided. The aggregate scores were then divided into quintiles,

Educational attainment was categorized as less than secondary education, secondary education and post-secondary education. Residence and region were included based on the method of sampling used by the NDHS. Although original sampling was performed using the 37 states, the analysis included regions because of the relatively few number of cases in some states and risk of non-convergence in the multivariate statistical methods. Finally, media exposure was categorized according to self-reported frequency of watching, listening

from one to five, corresponding to the poorest and the wealthiest groups.

to, or reading the television, radio, or newspapers/magazines.

A total of 12, 649 young females, aged 15-24 years were interviewed during the 2008 NDHS and 2,029 of these young women who engaged in higher-risk sexual intercourse in the past 12 months were analyzed in this study. The basic-demographic characteristics of the study population are provided in Table 2. About 44 percent of them were 15-19 years of age while the remaining 56.5 percent were aged 20-24 years. The median age of the respondents was 20.0 years. The survey indicated that 6 out of 10 of the respondents resided in rural areas and regional spatial distribution of the study population shows that 74.1 percent of them resided in the southern regions of South-east, south-south and south-west, while the remaining 25.9 percent resided in the three-regions in the northern part of the country. The distribution of respondents by ethnic affiliation shows that 12.9 percent are Igbo, 13.0 percent are Yoruba; 1.1 percent are Hausa/Fulani; minority ethnic groups constitute 26.5 percent. Of the minority ethnic groups, the northern minorities constitute 5.0 percent of the respondents, while southern minorities constitute 21.5.0 percent. Other ethnic groups in Nigeria with population less than 1 percent of the country population constitute 33.1 percent Majority (73.4 percent) of the young women under study had secondary education. While about 15 per cent of them had post-secondary education, 9.7 percent and 2.1 percent had primary education and no formal education respectively. Christians constituted a majority of the sampled population with about nine out of ten young females being Christians. Muslims constituted 12.4 per cent. Another important background characteristic considered in the analysis was the wealth quintile. Wealth quintile constructed from the household facilities is used as a proxy for economic status. The level of wealth quintile ranges from the first to the fifth quintile, corresponding to the least and most well off respectively. The Wealth quintile revealed that about one out of four young women were from households classified in the fifth quintile.

Table 2 reveals a high level of exposure to electronic media. Three out of ten of the respondents listened to the radio at least once in a while and about 32.6 percent of young women who engaged in higher-risk sexual intercourse in the past 12 months reported listening to the radio every day. About a quarter (22.7 percent) had never watched television; while 37.7 percent watched television every day. The reading of newspaper or magazine is low among the study population. Over half 56.3 percent had never read newspaper or magazine while 4.5 percent read newspaper or magazine every day. The results indicate widespread access to media.

Table 2 further compared the characteristics of sexually experienced young women and those among them that engaged in higher-risk sexual intercourse in the preceding 12 months before the survey. The result reveals that there is no major difference between those who are sexually experienced and those among them engaged in higher-risk sexual relationship with men ten years or more years older than them. For instance, 43.5 percent of those who had intergenerational sexual relationships are 15 – 19 as compared with 37.9 percent of the counterparts that are sexually experienced. The median age for both subgroups was 20.0 years. Furthermore, those young women who engaged in higher-risk sexual intercourse are likely to reside more in urban areas; reside more in southern regions, more educated, come from more affluence households, belong to Christian religious especially those who are protestants or Pentecostals and have more access to the media than sexually experienced young women age 15 – 24 interviewed during the 2008 NDHS.

Intergenerational Sexual Relationship in Nigeria:

**Characteristics** 

**Age group\***  15 - 17 18 - 21 22 – 24

Urban Rural

Igbo Yoruba

Others

Catholic Other Christians

Islam

First Second Third Fourth Fifth

**Region\*\*\***  Northern Southern

**Place of residence\*\*** 

**Ethnic affiliation\*\*\*** 

Northern Minority1 Southern Minority

Secondary education Post-secondary education

**Religious affiliation** 

**Wealth quintile\*\*\*** 

**Educational attainment\*\*\***  Less than secondary education

**3.3 Prevalence of intergenerational sex in Nigeria** 

Implications for Negotiating Safe Sexual Practices 59

Nearly one in six (2,029 of 12, 694) of the young women included in the survey reported having higher-risk in the preceding 12 months before their interview during the 2008 NDHS. The results presented in Table 3 show that among women age 15 – 24 who had higher-risk sexual intercourse in the 12 months preceding the survey, 14.6 percent had higher-risk sex with a man ten or more years older than them. The median age of sexual debut among the young women who had engaged in higher-risk sexual intercourse in the past year was 17 years. The analysis reveals that the proportions of respondents who had intergenerational sex in the past 12 months before the survey interview decreased with age. For instance, 16.5 percent of young women age 15-17 years, 15.2 percent of those age 18 – 21 years and 12.6 percent of their older peers aged 22-24 years had engaged in higher-risk

> **Number of women age 15 – 24 who had high-risk sexual intercourse in the past 12 months**

**Percentage of young women age 15-24 who had** 

> 16.5 15.2 12.6

> 12.5 16.0

> 24.1 11.2

> 17.0 7.0 20.2 10.3 19.8

> 23.8 13.4 13.3

> 15.3 14.1 16.7

> 21.0 16.4 18.5 12.8 10.8

**high risk sexual intercourse with a man** 

**10+ years** 

407 950 672

818 1,211

526 1,503

239 1,489 301

334 1,422 258

1 Include few cases of Hausa and Fulani who are predominantly resident in the northern part of Nigeria

sexual behaviour in the 12 months with a man 10 years or more years older.


Note:-Median age of respondent are indicated in the bracket

Table 2. Percentage distribution of young women (aged 15-24 years) sexually experienced and those who had high-risk by selected socio-demographic characteristics (NDHS 2008)

Percentage of women age 15 – 24 who had had sexual experience

> 37.9 62.1(20.0)

> > 26.8 73.2

> > 63.6 36.4

> > 35.7 10.0 11.1 9.1 7.6 26.4

> > 41.1 15.3 38.0 5.6

> > 9.7 37.0 51.8 1.5

25.3 21..9 19.4 19.8 13.4

> 55.4 10.9 13.4 20.2

> 35.8 15.4 22.9 25.9

Percentage of women age 15 – 24 who had high-risk sexual intercourse in the past 12 months (N = 2,029)

> 43.5 56.5(20.0)

> > 40.3 59.7

> > 25.9 74.1

> > 1.1 18.3 21.0 21.5 5.0 33.1

> > 2.1 9.7 73.4 14.8

> > 16.5 70.3 12.4 0.4

> > 7.7 13.5 21.1 31.2 26.5

> > 22.7 16.5 23.1 37.7

> > 19.3 17.4 30.8 32.6

Characteristics Number

**Age group**  15-19 20-24

Urban Rural

Northern Southern

**Ethnicity**  Hausa/Fulani

Igbo Yoruba

Others

Catholic Other Christians

Islam

First Second Third Fourth Fifth

**television**  Never

**radio**  Never

**Place of residence** 

**Region of residence** 

Southern minority Northern minority

**Educational level**  No education Primary Secondary Tertiary

**Religious affiliation** 

Traditional/Others

**Frequency of watching** 

Less than once a week At least once a week Almost everyday

**Frequency of listening to** 

Less than once a week At least once a week Almost everyday

**Wealth quintile** 

(N=7,979)

3,021 4,958

2,137 5,842

5,016 2,903

3,280 1,220 3,030 449

767 2,939 4,108 121

2,032 1,745 1,547 1,583 1,072

4,403 867 1,068 1,603

2,848 1,222 1,820 2,059

Table 2. Percentage distribution of young women (aged 15-24 years) sexually experienced and those who had high-risk by selected socio-demographic characteristics (NDHS 2008)

Note:-Median age of respondent are indicated in the bracket

### **3.3 Prevalence of intergenerational sex in Nigeria**

Nearly one in six (2,029 of 12, 694) of the young women included in the survey reported having higher-risk in the preceding 12 months before their interview during the 2008 NDHS. The results presented in Table 3 show that among women age 15 – 24 who had higher-risk sexual intercourse in the 12 months preceding the survey, 14.6 percent had higher-risk sex with a man ten or more years older than them. The median age of sexual debut among the young women who had engaged in higher-risk sexual intercourse in the past year was 17 years. The analysis reveals that the proportions of respondents who had intergenerational sex in the past 12 months before the survey interview decreased with age. For instance, 16.5 percent of young women age 15-17 years, 15.2 percent of those age 18 – 21 years and 12.6 percent of their older peers aged 22-24 years had engaged in higher-risk sexual behaviour in the 12 months with a man 10 years or more years older.


 1 Include few cases of Hausa and Fulani who are predominantly resident in the northern part of Nigeria

Intergenerational Sexual Relationship in Nigeria:

**3.4 Multivariate analysis** 

significantly associated with intergenerational sex.

Implications for Negotiating Safe Sexual Practices 61

generational sex. Wealth index is negatively associated with intergenerational sexual behaviour – young Nigeria women from poorer households are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual relationships affairs than their wealthier counterparts. For instance, 21.0 percent of young women age 15 – 24 reported having sexual intercourse with a man 10 years or more their own age as compared with 10.8 percent of their counterparts from the most wealthier households. The prevalence of intergenerational sex declines from 19.1 percent among young women who had their sexual debut before age 15, to 11.6 percent among those who had their first sexual relation at 18 years and older. Intergenerational sexual relationships are more common among young women who are Muslim, ever married, and those who had never read newspapers or magazine, listened to radio or watched television.

Fig. 1. Percentage of young women in risky sexual relationship and intergenerational sex

Table 4 presents odds ratio for four equations that model the effects of the explanatory variables on the likelihood that Nigerian women (15 – 24 years) would engage in higher-risk sexual relationships with a man 10 years or older. In the first logistic regression model, only education and wealth index were significantly related to young women's engagement in cross generational sexual activities. Young women with secondary school education and those with post-secondary education were less likely than those with less secondary education to have had high-risk sex with a man 10 years or older in the past 12 months (odds ratio of less than 1). For instance, young women with secondary school education and post-secondary school education are 43 percent and 25 percent less likely to engage in intergenerational sex respectively than those with less than secondary education. The finding is statistically significant for the secondary school education. The regression model reveals that young women in the second to fifth quintile of the wealth index are less likely to have engaged in the intergenerational sex as compared with their counterparts in the first quintile of the wealth index. The result was statistically significant for those within the fifth quintile wealth and marginally for those in the fourth quintile wealth index. The other personal attributes added as covariates in the regression equation – individual age - was not


Note:- \*p<.05; \*\*p<.01; \*\*\*p<.001

Table 3. Percentage of young women age 15 – 24 who had high-risk sexual intercourse in the past 12 months with a man who was 10 or more years older than them by selected sociodemographic characteristics

The analysis reveals that an intergenerational sexual relationship is more common among rural dwellers than young women who reside in urban areas (16.0% vs. 12.5%). There is a large variation in the prevalence of intergenerational sex by region: about four out of 10 young women in the northern region had intergenerational sex, compared with 11.2 percent of young women in the southern region. Ethnic affiliation of respondent reveals similar result with region of residence. Intergenerational sexual relationship is most prevalent among northern minority young women (20.2 percent) and least among the Yoruba young women (7.0 percent). Intergenerational sexual relationship is more prevalent among young women with less than secondary education (23.8 percent) and least prevalent among young women with secondary education (13.4 percent) and post-secondary education (13.3. percent).

It is evident from the table 3 that young women who had their sexual debut with a first partner that was 10 or more years older than them are more likely to engage in cross

**Total 15 – 24** 2,029 14.6

Table 3. Percentage of young women age 15 – 24 who had high-risk sexual intercourse in the past 12 months with a man who was 10 or more years older than them by selected socio-

The analysis reveals that an intergenerational sexual relationship is more common among rural dwellers than young women who reside in urban areas (16.0% vs. 12.5%). There is a large variation in the prevalence of intergenerational sex by region: about four out of 10 young women in the northern region had intergenerational sex, compared with 11.2 percent of young women in the southern region. Ethnic affiliation of respondent reveals similar result with region of residence. Intergenerational sexual relationship is most prevalent among northern minority young women (20.2 percent) and least among the Yoruba young women (7.0 percent). Intergenerational sexual relationship is more prevalent among young women with less than secondary education (23.8 percent) and least prevalent among young women with secondary education (13.4 percent) and post-secondary education (13.3.

It is evident from the table 3 that young women who had their sexual debut with a first partner that was 10 or more years older than them are more likely to engage in cross

**Number of women age 15 – 24 who had high-risk sexual intercourse in the past 12 months** **Percentage of young women age 15-24 who had** 

> 19.1 15.3 11.6

> 4.1 11.1 85.5

> 16.5 11.9 12.6 12.1

> 18.5 16.0 14.1 12.1

> 20.7 16.7 13.0 11.0

**high risk sexual intercourse with a man** 

**10+ years** 

298 904 810

1,165 316 69

**Characteristics** 

**Age at sexual debut\*\*\***  Less than 15 years 15 – 17 years 18 years and above

**and first sexual partner\*\*\*** 

Less than 5 years 5 – 9 years 10 years and above

Less than once a week At least once a week Almost everyday

Less than once a week At least once a week Almost everyday

Less than once a week At least once a week Almost everyday

Note:- \*p<.05; \*\*p<.01; \*\*\*p<.001

demographic characteristics

**magazine\*\***  Never

Never

Never

percent).

**Age difference between respondent** 

**Frequency of reading newspaper or** 

**Frequency of listening to radio\*\*\*** 

**Frequency of watching television\*\*\***

generational sex. Wealth index is negatively associated with intergenerational sexual behaviour – young Nigeria women from poorer households are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual relationships affairs than their wealthier counterparts. For instance, 21.0 percent of young women age 15 – 24 reported having sexual intercourse with a man 10 years or more their own age as compared with 10.8 percent of their counterparts from the most wealthier households. The prevalence of intergenerational sex declines from 19.1 percent among young women who had their sexual debut before age 15, to 11.6 percent among those who had their first sexual relation at 18 years and older. Intergenerational sexual relationships are more common among young women who are Muslim, ever married, and those who had never read newspapers or magazine, listened to radio or watched television.

Fig. 1. Percentage of young women in risky sexual relationship and intergenerational sex

#### **3.4 Multivariate analysis**

Table 4 presents odds ratio for four equations that model the effects of the explanatory variables on the likelihood that Nigerian women (15 – 24 years) would engage in higher-risk sexual relationships with a man 10 years or older. In the first logistic regression model, only education and wealth index were significantly related to young women's engagement in cross generational sexual activities. Young women with secondary school education and those with post-secondary education were less likely than those with less secondary education to have had high-risk sex with a man 10 years or older in the past 12 months (odds ratio of less than 1). For instance, young women with secondary school education and post-secondary school education are 43 percent and 25 percent less likely to engage in intergenerational sex respectively than those with less than secondary education. The finding is statistically significant for the secondary school education. The regression model reveals that young women in the second to fifth quintile of the wealth index are less likely to have engaged in the intergenerational sex as compared with their counterparts in the first quintile of the wealth index. The result was statistically significant for those within the fifth quintile wealth and marginally for those in the fourth quintile wealth index. The other personal attributes added as covariates in the regression equation – individual age - was not significantly associated with intergenerational sex.

Intergenerational Sexual Relationship in Nigeria:

significant.

statistically significant.

Implications for Negotiating Safe Sexual Practices 63

While the significant association between wealth index and intergenerational sex disappears on adding place of residence (urban or rural) and ethnicity to the equation in Model 2 the significant relationship between secondary school education and intergenerational sex remains. The analysis shows that place of residence on its own does not significantly influence intergenerational sexual behavior in Nigeria. Ethnicity is significantly associated with intergenerational sex on controlling other variables. The results support the assumption that sexual behavior is guided by the cultural values and norms of the various ethnic groups. Young Yoruba women are 66 percent less likely to have engaged in cross generational sex than those from northern minority ethnic groups. Furthermore, young women from the southern ethnic minorities are significantly less likely to engage in intergenerational sex (odds ratio of 0.50) than those of northern minority ethnic groups. The odds of involvement in intergenerational sexual relationship are lower among young

In the third model, the significant association between education and intergenerational sex disappears on adding age at sexual debut and age difference between respondent and her first sexual partner while the association for the age becomes statistically significant to the equation in Model 2. In the logistic regression model 3, young women aged 18 – 21 years were (2.06 times) more likely than those 15-17 years to have had higher risk sexual relationship with a man 10 years or older in the past 12 months prior to the interview. Similarly, young women aged 22 -24 years are 2.57 times more likely than those 15 -17 years to have had intergenerational sex in the past 12 months compared with those young women aged 15-17. The results are statistically significant. The odds of engaging in intergenerational sex were lower among Yoruba and southern minority ethnic groups as compared with their northern minority ethnic group. The odds of engaging in higher risk sexual relationship with a man 10 years or older was significantly lower for young women who had first sexual experience 18 years or more as compared with those who started sexual experience before age 15. Furthermore, young women who reported having a partner 5 to 9 years and 10 years or more older at first sex were more likely (OR: 3.41 and 175.25 respectively) to report involvement in risky intergenerational sex, compared to young women whose first sexual partners was younger or less than 5 years older. These differences were statistically

The third model (Table 4) shows that the odds of engaging in intergenerational sex were higher among urban (1.36) young women than their rural counterparts, a finding that is statistically significant. Young women from households classified into second quintile, third quintile, fourth quintile and fifth quintile were less likely to have had intergenerational sex as compared with those from household rank in first quintile. . For instance, young women in the fifth quintile wealth index are 31 percent less likely to have had intergenerational sex compared with those in the first quintile of the wealth index. The differences were not

In the final model, age at sexual debut and age differences between respondent and her first sexual partner remains statistically significantly associated with intergenerational sexual relationships when media exposure variable (frequency of watching television) and region of residence were included into the third equation. The results show that young women aged 18 – 21 years were (2.02 times) more likely than those 15-17 years to have had cross generational sexual relationship in the past 12 months prior to the interview. Similarly, young women aged 22 -24 years are 2.46 times more likely than those 15 -17 years to have had high-risk sexual relationship with a man 10 years or older in the past 12 months before

women residing in urban areas; the difference is not statistically significant.


\*p<.05; \*\*p<.01; \*\*\*p<.001; +p<.10. 1.00=reference group

Table 4. Odds ratios from logistic regression analyses examining associations between selected characteristics and young women engaging in higher-risk sexual relationship with a man 10 years and older (NDHS, 2008)

1.00 0.96 0.75

1.00 0.60\*\*\* 0.87

1.00 0.91 1.11 0.77 0.64

1.00 0.96

1.00 0.95 0.34\*\*\* 0.50\*\* 1.06

1.00

1.00

1.00 2.06\*\* 2.57\*\*

1.00 0.61 1.29

1.00 0.85 0.58 0.86 0.69

1.00 1.36

1.00 0.73 0.35\*\* 0.42\* 0.71

0.60 0.30\*\*\*

3.41\*\*\* 175.25\*\*\*

1.00

1.00 2.02\*\* 2.46\*\*

1.00 0.68 1.53

1.00 0.89 0.70 1.16 1.07

1.00 1.30

1.00 1.10 0.51 0.71 0.83

1.00 0.60 0.30\*\*\*

1.00 3.21\*\*\* 159.89\*\*\*

0.63

0.78 0.75 0.54\* 1.00

**Background Characteristics** Model 1 Model 2 Model 3 Model 4

1.00 0.94 0.79

1.00 0.57\*\*\* 0.75

1.00 0.74 0.94 0.65\* 0.53\*\*

**-2Log-likelihood (df)** -813.53 - 792.14 - 311.56 - 308.70

Table 4. Odds ratios from logistic regression analyses examining associations between selected characteristics and young women engaging in higher-risk sexual relationship with a

Age Group 15 - 17 years (ref.) 18 – 21 years 22 – 24 years

**Educational Attainment** 

Secondary education Post-secondary education

**Wealth Index**  First quintile (ref.) Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Fifth quintile

**Place of residence** 

**Ethnic Affiliation**  Northern Minority

Southern Minority

**Age at sexual debut**  Less than 14 years 15 – 17 years 18 years and above

10 years and above

Less than once a week At least once a week Almost everyday

**Age diff. b/t her 1st sexual partner** 

**Frequency of watching television** 

man 10 years and older (NDHS, 2008)

\*p<.05; \*\*p<.01; \*\*\*p<.001; +p<.10. 1.00=reference group

Urban Rural

Igbo Yoruba

Others

<= 4 years 5 – 9 years

**Region**  Northern Southern

Not at all

Les than secondary education (ref.)

While the significant association between wealth index and intergenerational sex disappears on adding place of residence (urban or rural) and ethnicity to the equation in Model 2 the significant relationship between secondary school education and intergenerational sex remains. The analysis shows that place of residence on its own does not significantly influence intergenerational sexual behavior in Nigeria. Ethnicity is significantly associated with intergenerational sex on controlling other variables. The results support the assumption that sexual behavior is guided by the cultural values and norms of the various ethnic groups. Young Yoruba women are 66 percent less likely to have engaged in cross generational sex than those from northern minority ethnic groups. Furthermore, young women from the southern ethnic minorities are significantly less likely to engage in intergenerational sex (odds ratio of 0.50) than those of northern minority ethnic groups. The odds of involvement in intergenerational sexual relationship are lower among young women residing in urban areas; the difference is not statistically significant.

In the third model, the significant association between education and intergenerational sex disappears on adding age at sexual debut and age difference between respondent and her first sexual partner while the association for the age becomes statistically significant to the equation in Model 2. In the logistic regression model 3, young women aged 18 – 21 years were (2.06 times) more likely than those 15-17 years to have had higher risk sexual relationship with a man 10 years or older in the past 12 months prior to the interview. Similarly, young women aged 22 -24 years are 2.57 times more likely than those 15 -17 years to have had intergenerational sex in the past 12 months compared with those young women aged 15-17. The results are statistically significant. The odds of engaging in intergenerational sex were lower among Yoruba and southern minority ethnic groups as compared with their northern minority ethnic group. The odds of engaging in higher risk sexual relationship with a man 10 years or older was significantly lower for young women who had first sexual experience 18 years or more as compared with those who started sexual experience before age 15. Furthermore, young women who reported having a partner 5 to 9 years and 10 years or more older at first sex were more likely (OR: 3.41 and 175.25 respectively) to report involvement in risky intergenerational sex, compared to young women whose first sexual partners was younger or less than 5 years older. These differences were statistically significant.

The third model (Table 4) shows that the odds of engaging in intergenerational sex were higher among urban (1.36) young women than their rural counterparts, a finding that is statistically significant. Young women from households classified into second quintile, third quintile, fourth quintile and fifth quintile were less likely to have had intergenerational sex as compared with those from household rank in first quintile. . For instance, young women in the fifth quintile wealth index are 31 percent less likely to have had intergenerational sex compared with those in the first quintile of the wealth index. The differences were not statistically significant.

In the final model, age at sexual debut and age differences between respondent and her first sexual partner remains statistically significantly associated with intergenerational sexual relationships when media exposure variable (frequency of watching television) and region of residence were included into the third equation. The results show that young women aged 18 – 21 years were (2.02 times) more likely than those 15-17 years to have had cross generational sexual relationship in the past 12 months prior to the interview. Similarly, young women aged 22 -24 years are 2.46 times more likely than those 15 -17 years to have had high-risk sexual relationship with a man 10 years or older in the past 12 months before

Intergenerational Sexual Relationship in Nigeria:

Implications for Negotiating Safe Sexual Practices 65

young women age 15-17 years, 15.2 percent of those age 18 – 21 years and 12.6 percent of their older peers aged 22-24 years had engaged in higher-risk sexual behaviour in the 12 months with a man 10 years or more years older. The fact that the practice is commonest among 15-17 years is suggestive that the young women are vulnerable to inducements or coercion and those older girls bear the pressure for sex from the older men better. Basically, the younger girls may have little or no knowledge of the implications of their actions; cannot effectively assess the risk involved in the sexual relationship neither do they have the skill to negotiate safer sex. Most girls in this age group are preys and the predators have not spared them. The implications are multiple but essentially speak to the need for the commencement of reproductive health education and life skills programme for young girls early enough so that they are better placed to protect themselves. This is especially important for out – of – school girls as it is assumed that in some of our schools family life education is taught to young people. It is similarly essential to pay particular attention to young girls in the rural areas as intergenerational sexual relationship is **more** common among rural dwellers than young women who reside in urban areas. Another major approach would be to work directly with men to challenge the socio-cultural norms and perceptions that allows for and

sanction engagement in intergenerational sex (Leclerc – Madlala 2002, 2003).

identify and focus attention only on high risk groups.

Universal Basic Education.

The expected result from the two recommended approaches above is to help young girls to increase the age at sexual debut significantly so that they can make informed decision about sex and how to protect themselves. As this study also shows that the odds of engaging in higher risk sexual relationship with a man 10 years or older was significantly lower for young women who had first sexual experience 18 years or more as compared with those who started sexual experience before age 15. The likelihood of having intergenerational sex tends to increase with intergenerational first sexual experience which has been reported to be linked with poor reproductive health outcomes. For instance, examining a longitudinal, representative sample of adolescents in the United States, Ryan and others found that women who initiated sex before age 16 with an older partner had a greater likelihood of testing positive for an STI in young adulthood. It is evident from the paper that intergenerational sexual relation varies according to personal, cultural and behavioral attributes of the respondents. These attributes should be considered when designing programs to promote safe and healthy sexuality and effective HIV/AIDS/STIs prevention,. In addition, the study suggests that several young Nigerians are vulnerable to HIV infection through high risk sexual behaviour and relatively low levels of condom use. HIVprevention efforts should target the entire young population, rather than attempting to

Another significant finding from this study is educational attainment. This is particularly important as we look at environment and structural factors that predispose to poor health outcomes importantly in our case the risk of HIV infection. The study shows that young women with secondary school education and those with post-secondary education were less likely than those with less secondary education to have had high-risk sex with a man 10 or more years older in the past 12 months. The implication is that the more educated the girl child is the higher the likelihood of better health outcomes. Nigeria has Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme which ensures at least nine (9) years of formal education, it is free and compulsory - compelled by law but in practice not enforced. In effect, Nigeria can greatly reduce the prevalence of intergenerational sex by enforcing the law that established

their interview compared with those young women aged 15-17. The difference remains statistically significant. Other variables statistically significantly associated with intergenerational sex are age at sexual debut, age difference between respondent and their first sexual partner. As can be seen from table under model 4, young women who reported starting sexual intercourse by age 18 and above are less likely to have had intergenerational sex compared with those who reported starting before age 15. For instance, those who reported their sexual debut age to be 18 years and above are 7-times less likely to have had intergenerational sex as compared with those who reported their sexual debut age at less than 15 years. The difference was statistically significant. The statistical significant association between age difference of the respondent and their first sexual partner and intergenerational sex remains after controlling for all the variables.

Table 4, model 4 shows that young women who reported having a partner 5 to 9 years and 10 years or more older at first sex were more likely (OR: 3.21 and 159.89 respectively) to have had high risk sexual relationship with a man 10 or more years older compared with young women whose first sexual partners was younger or less than 5 years older. These differences were statistically significant. Other factor statistically significantly associated with intergenerational sex is watching television at least once a week as compared to those who reported to "not at all." The results show that young women residing in the southern region are less likely to engage in intergenerational sexual relationship than those living in the northern region. The statistical significance of the ethnicity disappears when variable on exposure to media (television) was introduced. Wealth index remain non-significant from model 2 to 4 while place of residence (urban vs. rural) remain non-significant since it has been introduced into the equation in model 2.
