141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

276895
Impact of global popular youth culture on the sexual behavior of adolescents in Nigeria: Implications for HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Chinekwu Obidoa, PhD , Institute for Community Research, Hartford, CT
Mabel Azuka Obidoa, Ph.D. , Department of Educational Foundations, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nsukka, Nigeria
Nigeria is currently experiencing rapid social change, due largely to the forces of globalization. At the same time, the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country continues to grow, particularly among young people. HIV/AIDS statistics show that young people between the ages of 15 to 24 years constitute one of the most affected groups in the country. There is emerging evidence showing that global economic and cultural forces impact youth sexual risk through various avenues. However, despite this growing awareness, investigations on the impact of these factors on adolescent sexual behaviors in Nigeria are limited. This study examines the impact of social change on adolescent sexual behaviors in Nigeria. It focuses on exploring how socio-cultural factors, particularly global popular youth culture and socio-economic processes initiated by globalization, affect the sexual behaviors of young people in Nigeria. Data collection and analyses involved qualitative and quantitative approaches. The sample consisted of 300 secondary school students. Results from analyses revealed that a high proportion of young people engage in risky sexual behaviors, young people are making their sexual debut at a very young age, with the majority (72%) of those that are sexually active having their sexual debut before age 15. Analyses showed that exposure and orientation to popular culture are significantly associated with risky sexual behaviors among youth. Findings from the study indicate that globalization processes are presenting added challenges for HIV/AIDS risk and prevention for Nigerian youth.

Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify globalization processes and how they operate in a developing country Analyze the impact of exposure to global popular youth culture on the sexual health of Nigerian youth Discuss the Implications for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Intervention for this population

Keywords: Sexual Risk Behavior, Adolescents, International

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I hold a Ph.D., in Public Health with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Health. I also hold a Master of Arts Degree in Geography with special concentration in Medical Geography, a Master of Public Health Degree and a Master of Science Degree in International and Area Studies with a concentration in African Studies. I am a public health research professional specializing in the areas of social determinants of health, health disparities and international health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.