Social Media use and Sexual Behaviour of Undergraduate Students in a Nigerian University

Abstract

While studies have generally explored the implication of social media on education, crime, and communication, there is a paucity of studies exploring the influence of social media on sexual behaviour. Thus, this study aims to investigate the role of social media on sexual behaviour among 195 undergraduate students in the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa, Nigeria. This cross-sectional study was anchored on the uses and gratification theory (UGT). Data for this study were generated through the use of a structured questionnaire, while data analysis was done at the univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels. Findings shows that the average age of students was 22.72. Also, the study found out that the use of WhatsApp (OR = 15.349, p<0.05), Instagram (OR = 0.254, p<0.05), time spent on the social media (OR = 0.123, p<0.05) were significantly associated with high-risk sexual behaviour in model I. While relationship status (OR = 24.289, p<0.01) was associated with high-risk sexual behaviour in model II. The study, therefore, concluded that the use of social media influences the sexual behaviour of undergraduate. Hence, the study recommended sex education to help expose undergraduate students to the dangers involved in spending excessive time on social media.

Correlates of Risky Sexual Behaviours of Adolescents in Rivers State: A Study of Peer Pressure and Social Media Influences

“…A study conducted by [16] on social media use identified that adolescent changes are influenced by the ease of access to information via social media channels such as the internet, mobile phones, and computer and satellite televisions. Also, in consonance with this study was that conducted by [18] which showed that social media influences the risky sexual behaviour via the use of WhatsApp, Instagram to mention a few, and that conducted by [19] which reported that social media shaped the sexual health attitudes and behaviours of young undergraduates. Also, in line with this study finding was that carried out by [17] on the influence of social media use on risky sexual behaviours of undergraduate Students in Ilorin, which showed that there is significant association between exposure to sexual contents in social media and risky sexual behaviour among undergraduate students.…”

“…Study on the influence of social media use on sexual behaviour of undergraduate students in Ilorin showed that there is significant association between exposure to sexual contents in social media and risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students [17]. A study showed that social media influences the risky sexual behaviour via the use of WhatsApp, Instagram to mention a few [18]. Also [19] reported that social media shape the sexual health attitudes and behaviours of young undergraduates, which showed that out of 226 respondents who had ever had sex, 226 (100%), 37 (16.4%), 31 (13.7%), and 10 (4.4%) practiced coitus, oral sex, masturbation, and anal sex, respectively; 33 (14.6%) had had sex with commercial sex workers.…”

Utilization and contributing factors of sexual and reproductive health services in Ethiopia during COVID-19 pandemic፡ A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Adolescents who had sexual contact might relatively have high level of risk perception like being vulnerable for sexual transmitted diseases and for unwanted pregnancy. Therefore, they are more intended to use sexual and reproductive service such as family planning, HIV test, and pregnancy service (25)(26)(27). In the current pooled meta-analysis, having pocket money had statistically signi cant association with SRH service utilization.…”