SEXUAL RISK TAKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG CUSTOMS PERSONNEL IN THE SEME BORDER COMMAND, NIGERIA

Abstract

Despite the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, many customs officers still fail to recognize their personal risk of infection. Preliminary investigations show that customs personnel at border towns engage in sexual-risk-taking behaviour which make them highly, vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. However, few studies exist on the pattern of risk-taking-behaviour among customs personnel operating at the Seme border post in south west Nigeria.. This study therefor, assessed the sexual-risk-taking behaviour among customs personnel in Seme Border Command. Nigeria. The study is descriptive and cross sectional. A combination of stratified random sampling technique was used to select two hundred and fifty (250) respondents. Data were collected using a validated semi-structure questionnaire. In addition. sixteen Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Five key Informant interviews were conducted using interview guide. Qualitative data were recorded on audio-tapes and later transcribed to develop themes. Quantitative Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The survey revealed that most of the respondents (73.2%) were between 30 and 49 years with a mean age of 39.2 years, (±6.76). More than half (59.2%) of the respondents were males. Forty eight percent (48.4%) were Muslims while 42..2% were Christians. Majority, (70.4%) were married and more than half (56.4%) or the respondents had spent over a year at the command. Very few (12.8%) lived with their families at the command. Majority of the respondents (88,2%) reported ever been drunk and (44.8%) reported smoking cigarettes and (5.6%) Indian hemp. The major sexual-risk-taking behaviors were sex with multiple partners (68.4%). unprotected sex (60.8%), oral sex (49.2%) and sex with commercial sex workers (35.2%). These sexual-risk-taking behaviours were significantly higher among the Muslims (48.9%) than Christians (43.6%) (P<0.05).The behaviours are also significantly higher among males (59.2%) than females (40.8%) (p<0.05). All the respondents agreed that sexual-risk-taking could lead to STI, HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies, infertility/childlessness and broken homes. Participants in the FGDs and key informants reported that a major factor driving risky sexual behavior is extended separation from families. Other factors include sexual indiscipline, unavailability of condom in the out-station where they operate and condom refusal by young girls from neighboring countries. It was also revealed that sexual-risk-taking were practiced for sexual satisfaction and with the belief that HIV/A IDS does not exist. These findings suggest that respondents practices have high potential of putting them at risk of HIV infection. It is recommended that accommodations should be provided at border posts for officers and their families. Skill building strategy and enlightenment campaign on "no condom no sex" policy should be emphasised, moral and religion teachings should be intensified among the customs personnel.