BackgroundWorldwide, uniformed personnel have been recognized as a population at high risk for sexually transmitted infections because of their high mobility, power differentials and affluence. However, limited studies have been conducted on risky sexual behaviour (RSB) among male uniformed personnel in Nigeria. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence and identify the predictors of RSB among male immigration and correctional personnel in Kano State.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among 306 male immigration and correctional personnel using multi-stage sampling technique. A pre-tested self-administered structured questionnaire containing sociodemographic and variables associated with RSB was used for data collection. Indicators of RSB included transactional sexual intercourse, sexual intercourse with casual acquaintances and multiple non-regular sexual partners over the last 12 months. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression (α=0.05).ResultsMean age of the respondents in the immigration and correctional services was 37.9±9.3 and 38.0±8.1 years respectively. Overall prevalence of RSB was 15.1% (9.2% and 20.9% among correctional and immigration workers respectively). The identified predictors of RSB were service group, marital status and attending club house prior to sexual intercourse. The likelihood of RSB was lower among the correctional personnel (aOR=0.38, CI=0.17-0.80) than the immigration officers. Being married is protective of RSB (aOR=0.38, CI=0.18-0.81) while attending club house prior to sexual intercourse predisposes the uniform personnel to RSB (aOR=3.90, CI=1.30-11.68). ConclusionsRisky sexual behaviour was highly prevalent among the investigated uniform men but was higher among immigration officers than the correctional personnel.

Background Worldwide, uniformed personnel have been recognized as a population at high risk for sexually transmitted infections because of their high mobility, power differentials and affluence. However, limited studies have been conducted on risky sexual behaviour (RSB) among male uniformed personnel in Nigeria. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence and identify the predictors of RSB among male immigration and correctional personnel in Kano State.Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among 306 male immigration and correctional personnel using multi-stage sampling technique. A pre-tested self-administered structured questionnaire containing sociodemographic and variables associated with RSB was used for data collection. Indicators of RSB included transactional sexual intercourse, sexual intercourse with casual acquaintances and multiple non-regular sexual partners over the last 12 months. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression (α=0.05).Results Mean age of the respondents in the immigration and correctional services was 37.9±9.3 and 38.0±8.1 years respectively. Overall prevalence of RSB was 15.1% (9.2% and 20.9% among correctional and immigration workers respectively). The identified predictors of RSB were service group, marital status and attending club house prior to sexual intercourse. The likelihood of RSB was lower among the correctional personnel (aOR=0.38, CI=0.17-0.80) than the immigration officers. Being married is protective of RSB (aOR=0.38, CI=0.18-0.81) while attending club house prior to sexual intercourse predisposes the uniform personnel to RSB (aOR=3.90, CI=1.30-11.68). Conclusions Risky sexual behaviour was highly prevalent among the investigated uniform men but was higher among immigration officers than the correctional personnel.