THE USE OF WEDDING RINGS AND INVOLVEMENT IN EXTRA MARITAL SEX AMONG MEN AND WOMEN IN YENAGOA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BALYESA STATE

Abstract

Involvement in extra-marital sex has serious social, psychological, and reproductive health implications including the risk of sexually transmitted disease and gender-based violence among others. Extra-marital sexual activities have been on the increase among married men and women in Nigeria although many wear wedding rings. Few studies exist on the relationship between the use of wedding rings and extramarital sex. This study was therefore designed to look into the practices relating to the use of wedding rings and involvement in extra-marital sex among men and women in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State (YLGA). The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey which involved the use of a four-stage random sampling technique to select 600 married men and women. A validated semi structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the data as appropriate at p=0.05. The respondents’ mean age was 37.7(±11.3) years with more (41.3%) respondents within age 31-40 years. Great proportion (90.0%) of the respondents was Christians and 51.2% were males. Many (46.3%) of the respondents were Ijaws. Over half (53.8%) of respondents had tertiary education and about 41% of the respondents were traders. Majority (88.9%) of respondents was into monogamy of which 47.9% were married in the Christian way. Majority (77.2%) of the respondents had between 1-5 children and 62.8% had being in marriage for over 6years (with a mean age of 6.0±5.4 years). Majority (66.7%) married within age 20-30 years old (28.0±7.7 years). Over 56% of the respondent exchanged wedding ring with more (51.8%) males. Almost all (99.1%) had ever worn the wedding ring (having males (51.7%) as majority). Most (95.1%) are still wearing wedding ring of which (51.9%) were males. The three top reasons for still wearing ring included: being happy (50.8%) being fulfilled (14.2%) and a sign of commitment (11.3%). Two common reasons for non-use of wedding rings were, ring’s gold faded (26.5%) and feeling uncomfortable (19.3%). Most (89.5%) of the respondent perceived marital infidelity as heart desire and not associated with non-use of ring. About one-quarter (26.2%) admitted ever engaging in extramarital sex. Less than half (43.8%) who ever engaged in extramarital sex exchanged wedding ring, and more of them (47.3%) were still engaging as at the time of the study. Majority declared that their last sexual partner was a former lover (67.8%) and (51.9%) were males) while the commonest reason for currently engaging in marital infidelity was for pleasure/urge (40.0%). Protective measures taken by more than half (57.5%) who still engaged in extra-marital sex included use of condom (52.2%); antibiotics /pills (31.1%) and checking partner's health status (8.9%). Suggested means of avoiding marital infidelity included being faithful to one’s partner (27.5%); self-discipline (17.5%) and closeness to God (16.8%). A few (29.3%) respondents affirmed visiting relaxation joint and among those who visited joints (52.5%) did so once per week followed by occasionally (19.6%). Males and marriage at <20years were more likely predictor of extramarital sex among the respondents (p<0.005). There was evidence that whether use or non–use of wedding ring people still engaged in marital infidelity. Public enlightenment, marital guidance and counselling services are needed to ameliorate this situation.