Sexual Risk Behaviors among Adolescents and Young Adults in the Context of Food Insecurity: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Analysis
1
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Nigeria
2
College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, United States
3
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, United States
4
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Columbus, United States
5
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1333
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Evidence suggests that food insecurity (FI) is associated with adverse health behaviors, including sexual risk behaviors (SRBs), in adults and high-risk populations. This study examined the associations between past-year FI and SRBs among a nationally representative sample of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in Nigeria and explored whether these relationships differ by gender.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional study used data from a nationally representative sample of AYAs (15-24 years) living in Nigeria who reported sexual activity in the past 12 months who participated in Round 6 of the UNICEF-supported Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). Weighted multivariable binomial and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted with FI as the exposure variable and SRBs as the outcome variable, adjusting for multiple confounders. All models were stratified by gender.
RESULTS:
Of the 8618 AYAs in the sample, approximately 75% had experienced moderate or severe FI. Approximately 8.3% had multiple sexual partners while 71.1% of participants did not use a condom at their last sexual intercourse. After adjusting for multiple potential confounders, AYAs who experienced moderate FI were more likely to report engaging in multiple sexual partnerships in the past 12 months (aOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.09-2.21, p = 0.0151) and report engaging in both unprotected sex and having MSPs (aOR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.04-2.49, p = 0.0347). In gender-stratified models, these patterns remained consistent for AYAs males but were absent among AYA females.
CONCLUSIONS:
Food insecurity is associated with SRBs among AYAs in Nigeria. Strategies are needed to integrate FI interventions into sexual and reproductive health programming and policies for young people in order to reduce SRBs and their sequelae. Such strategies may also benefit from a gender-centered approach given the disparities in the risk of engaging in SRB with FI.
Evidence suggests that food insecurity (FI) is associated with adverse health behaviors, including sexual risk behaviors (SRBs), in adults and high-risk populations. This study examined the associations between past-year FI and SRBs among a nationally representative sample of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in Nigeria and explored whether these relationships differ by gender.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional study used data from a nationally representative sample of AYAs (15-24 years) living in Nigeria who reported sexual activity in the past 12 months who participated in Round 6 of the UNICEF-supported Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). Weighted multivariable binomial and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted with FI as the exposure variable and SRBs as the outcome variable, adjusting for multiple confounders. All models were stratified by gender.
RESULTS:
Of the 8618 AYAs in the sample, approximately 75% had experienced moderate or severe FI. Approximately 8.3% had multiple sexual partners while 71.1% of participants did not use a condom at their last sexual intercourse. After adjusting for multiple potential confounders, AYAs who experienced moderate FI were more likely to report engaging in multiple sexual partnerships in the past 12 months (aOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.09-2.21, p = 0.0151) and report engaging in both unprotected sex and having MSPs (aOR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.04-2.49, p = 0.0347). In gender-stratified models, these patterns remained consistent for AYAs males but were absent among AYA females.
CONCLUSIONS:
Food insecurity is associated with SRBs among AYAs in Nigeria. Strategies are needed to integrate FI interventions into sexual and reproductive health programming and policies for young people in order to reduce SRBs and their sequelae. Such strategies may also benefit from a gender-centered approach given the disparities in the risk of engaging in SRB with FI.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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