Attitudinal and Behavioral Factors Associated with Extramarital Sex among Nigerian Men: Findings from a National Survey

Lung Vu, Population Council
Waimar Tun, Population Council
Andrew S. Karlyn, Population Council
Sylvia Adebajo, Population Council Nigeria
Babatunde Ahonsi, Population Council Nigeria

Using couple data from a national survey, this paper examines factors associated with extramarital sex among Nigerian men. We found 15.4% of married men had extramarital sex in the past 12 months. Extramarital sex was significantly associated with men’s attitude toward extramarital sex [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=1.7 (95%CI:1.4-3.0)], early sexual debut [AOR=1.9 (1.6-2.3)], alcohol use [AOR=1.8 (1.4-2.2)], paying sex [AOR=3.5 (2.4-5.0)], and intimate partner violence against wife (IPV) [AOR=1.4 (1.2-1.7)]. Men living in rural areas, in the central and the south were also more likely to have extramarital sex. The findings suggest that extramarital sex is facilitated by a set of sexual-risk behavior such as IPV, alcohol use, and early sexual debut that hint useful implications for HIV prevention programs in Nigeria. Interventions should focus on influencing social norms around protective behaviors for men to avoid risks associated with extramarital sex and IPV; help men to change attitudes toward extramarital sex and IPV, and promote delay in age at first sex among young men.