Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Apr 15;36(3):251-258.
doi: 10.1515/ijamh-2024-0020. eCollection 2024 Jun 1.

Investigating fertility health knowledge and lifestyle risk factors among Nigerian university students: A cross-sectional survey

Olubukola A Wellington  1
Affiliations

Investigating fertility health knowledge and lifestyle risk factors among Nigerian university students: A cross-sectional survey

Olubukola A Wellington. Int J Adolesc Med Health. .

Abstract

Objectives: Adolescents who are unaware of infertility risk factors and the long-term health effects of their lifestyle choices may participate in unsafe sexual and lifestyle behaviors. Their reproductive goals and health may be affected by such behaviors. Adolescents' awareness of male and female infertility risk factors was assessed, along with lifestyle risk variables related to sexual behavior and psychoactive substance use. The causes of inconsistent condom use were also examined.

Methods: In 2022, a cross-sectional survey was undertaken involving 598 sexually active university students from Nigeria (18.6 years±0.9), the majority of whom were female (57.2 %). Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and binary logistic regression were utilized in the data analysis to determine the influence of lifestyle factors and levels of knowledge on fertility.

Results: Most participants had a moderate understanding of male and female infertility risk factors. The results showed that female students were more informed. Multiple sexual partners and psychoactive substance use were common lifestyle variables. Younger female students, those with several partners, and participants who frequently used alcohol and narcotics used condoms inconsistently.

Conclusions: The study emphasizes the need for fertility health and lifestyle risk education for Nigerian youth. Despite moderate knowledge, lifestyle implications on fertility are unclear. Fertility health education in schools could help students make informed reproductive choices and lower the risk of infertility and chronic diseases. Research is needed to confirm findings and inform nationwide targeted interventions.

Keywords: fertility health knowledge; health promotion; lifestyle behaviors; sexual risk; university students.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. World Health Organization . WHO fact sheet on infertility. Glob Reprod Health 2021;6:pe52. https://doi.org/10.1097/GRH.0000000000000052 . - DOI
    1. Ajayi, AI, Nwokocha, EE, Akpan, W, Adeniyi, OV, Goon, DT. It’s sweet without condom: understanding risky sexual behaviour among Nigerian female university students. Online J Health Allied Sci 2018;16:7.
    1. Ajayi, AI, Ismail, KO, Akpan, W. Factors associated with consistent condom use: a cross-sectional survey of two Nigerian universities. BMC Publ Health 2019;19:1207. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7543-1 . - DOI - PubMed - PMC
    1. Adedini, SA, Mobolaji, JW, Alabi, M, Fatusi, AO. Changes in contraceptive and sexual behaviours among unmarried young people in Nigeria: evidence from nationally representative surveys. PLoS One 2021;16:e0246309. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246309 . - DOI - PubMed - PMC
    1. Johnson, OE, Akpanekpo, EI, Okonna, EM, Adeboye, SE, Udoh, AJ. The prevalence and factors affecting psychoactive substance use among undergraduate students in University of Uyo, Nigeria. J Community Med Prim Health Care 2017;29:11–22.

LinkOut - more resources