Sexual networking, STDs, and HIV/AIDS transmission among Nigerian police officers

Abstract

This study examines the sexual behaviour of Nigerian police officers, the number of their sexual partners, relation with commercial sex workers, prevalence of STDs and the use of condoms among them. Three hundred and fifty-eight police officers, randomly sampled from Ondo State Police Command, Akure, responded to an interview guide. Results show that Nigerian police officers belong to the high-risk group and run the risk of being infected by HIV/AIDS. Whilst premarital and extramarital sexual relations were very common among the officers, they also maintained a high level of multiple sexual partners. Most of the police officers' extramarital sexual partners were single girls, mainly students. A number of the police officers also engaged in sexual relations with commercial sex workers in hotels and brothels, particularly when on transfer to new stations. The prevalence of STDs was 23.8 per cent and gonorrhoea was the most reported type of STD. Most of the officers contracted STDs from their woman friends and commercial sex workers. They sought and received treatment from modern doctors. A large proportion of the infected police officers informed their partners, while few of the married ones told their wives. The officers were knowledgeable about the use of condoms and had used condoms in sexual relations.