Abstract

Aims: HIV in sub-Saharan Africa is closely linked to the sexual behavior of the population. The knowledge of the impact of socio- demographic and an increasing religious movement, on risk behavior for HIV/AIDS among University students in Nigeria and the rest of the sub-Saharan Africa is uncertain and even contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of socio-demographic and religious factors in determining risk behavior for HIV/AIDS among University students in Ilishan, Nigeria. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study of 1225 university students selected by probability sampling method. Data were collected using an expert validated questionnaire. Data were collected on dependent variables i.e. being sexually active, having multiple sexual partners and inconsistent condom use, and the independent variables that included demographic, social and religious factors. Results: About a quarter 24.1% of the participants were sexually active, with a higher proportion of males being sexually active (p=0.000). Among the participants who were sexually active, 34.2% had multiple sexual partners within the preceding six months and 53.9% of them did not use condoms consistently. Males (OR=1.646), Young adults (OR=1.924), rural dwellers (OR=1.500) and practitioners of other religions (OR=2.085) were more likely to sexually active than females, Adolescents, urban dwellers and Christians respectively. Multiple sexual partnership and inconsistent condom use among the sexually active participants were not predicted by any of the independent variables. Conclusion: Risk behavior for HIV/AIDS is prevalent among university students in Nigeria. While personal religious tendencies did not predict sexual activity, an environment full of regular Christian religious activities seem to reduce risky sexual behavior. There is a need for more studies especially qualitative studies to explore the effect of religious factors on the practice of multiple sexual partnership and inconsistent condom use among sexually active students.