TITLE: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERSONALITY

TRAITS ALCOHOL USE AND RISKY SEXUAL

BEHAVIOUR IN AN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
POPOULATION1 IN NIGERIA
Authors’ names- Olanrewaju Ibigbami , Femi Fatoye and Abiodun Adewuya3
2

Authors’ contact details-

Corresponding E-mail address: oibibami@yahoo.com
Phones: +2348059547323, +2348030652116
Affiliation details: Mental Health Clinic,
State Specialist Hospital,
Osogbo Osun State
Department of Mental Health,2
Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex,
Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
Dept. of Behavioral Medicine,
Lagos State University College of Medicine,
Lagos, Nigeria
No conflict of interest
 INTRODUCTION
• An individual’s personality is described by how he has behaved in
the past and can be used to predict how the individual will behave
in various situations in the future (Oladimeji, 2003).

• Personality is also regarded as the sum total of the behavioral and

mental characteristics that are distinctive of the individual.

• Understanding distinctive profiles that are related to specific

behaviors could go a long way to determine how to predict who
will be at the risk of specific behaviors that have risky implications

• The links between health and personality have been extensively

studied in the past showing that certain personality traits may be
associated with alcohol abuse.
 INTRODUCTION CONT’D
• The global impact of alcohol use has consistently remained at
the forefront of decision making with regards to providing a
healthier population of young adults.
• For example in 1990, alcohol accounted for 3.5% of the total
disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost globally, and for 2.1%
of the total years of life lost (Rehm et al., 2003).
• Specifically among undergraduates in Nigeria, studies have
suggested that there is an increase in the prevalence of alcohol
use (Adelekan et al., 1993; Obot, 1996; Makanjuola et al.,
2007).
• The impairment of judgment caused by alcohol may be the
mechanism underlying risky sexual behavior (Morris et al.,
2006).
 INTRODUCTION CONT’D
• Risky sexual behavior (RSB) refers to any pattern of behavior
that increases the likelihood of negative consequences
associated with sexual contact.
• Such behaviors include having multiple sexual partners, having
casual sex with unknown partners, having sex without
protection, and using alcohol or other psychoactive substances
prior to or during sexual activities (Bakare et al., 2009; Turchik &
Garske, 2009).
• Despite the risks attached, some individuals still engage in
sexual behaviors that put them and others at increased risk of
the negative consequences associated with such behaviors.
• There is a complex interaction between personality, alcohol
abuse and RSB.
 WHY THE STUDY?

• Over 90% of HIV infections prevalent in Africa are attributable to

unsafe sex (WHO, 2002).

• Undergraduate student populations are mobile, independent and

inquisitive. We need to be able to describe patterns of risky
sexual behavior among them and also determine how best to
reduce risky health behaviors among them

• No previous study in Nigeria has explored the relationship

between personality traits, alcohol use and risky sexual behavior
in undergraduates
 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

• To determine the prevalence and pattern of RSB in an

undergraduate student population in Nigeria

• To determine the prevalence of alcohol use disorders among

the student population

• To describe the relationship between risky sexual behaviour,

personality and alcohol use amongst the same population.
 METHODOLOGY
• Setting: Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State in
Southwestern part of Nigeria
• Study Subjects: Undergraduate students
• The inclusion criteria:
1. Undergraduates of Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife.
2. Students who were never married.
• Exclusion criterion:
Undergraduates of OAU satellite campuses such
as the Adeyemi college of Education, Ondo.
 METHODOLOGY
• Sample size: 400 students
• Sampling Technique: Multistage, stratified systematic
sampling technique
• Procedure:
• Halls were stratified by gender
• Two halls each were randomly selected to represent
each gender for a pilot study. Remaining 6 halls (3 for
each gender) were used for the main study.
• Total number and the list of students residing in the halls
were obtained from the hall masters to proportionately
distribute the 400 samples
• After determining the sample for each hall, the study
subjects were then recruited through a systematic
sampling technique
 METHODOLOGY CONT’D
• MEASURES
• A questionnaire packet was employed in the study
which was divided into four sections. These were
Socio-demographic data schedule, the Big five
personality inventory, Alcohol Use Disorders
Identification Test (AUDIT) and Sexual Risk Survey
questionnaire (SRS).
• Ethical Consideration
• Ethical approval was given by the Health Research
Ethics Committee, Obafemi Awolowo University
Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife.
• Data Analysis: Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS) 15
Table 1: Socio-demographic Characteristics of Subjects 
Variable Frequency (n = 385) Percentage
Sex
Male 204 53.0
Female 181 47.0
Age group (years)
≤24 years 269 77
>24 years 65 17
Religion
Christianity 304 79.0
Islam 55 14.3
Others 18 4.7
Ethnicity
Yoruba 316 82.1
Igbo 38 9.0
Others 31 8.0
Family Type
Polygamous 91 23.6
Monogamous 290 76.1
Variables Frequency (n =385) Percentage
In a dating relationship
Yes 165 44
No 215 56
Position in birth Order
First 97 25
Others 274 75
Sexual Orientation
Heterosexual 209 55
Homosexual 18 5
Bisexual 65 17
Types of first sexual encounter
Kissing 155 40
Fondling 38 9.9
Petting 34 8.8
Anal Sex 1 0.3
Vaginal Sex 21 5.5
st
Relationship with 1 sexual partner
Boyfriend/Girlfriend 108 28.1
Platonic friend 6 1.6
Date 14 3.6
Neighbor 5 1.3
Family friend 1 0.3
Classmate 1 0.3
Summary Statistics of Continuous Variables:

Variables Mean ± SD Median Range

(n=385)
Age (years) 21.4 ±3.0 21 15-32
Duration of relationships (months) 18.4±15.6 13 1-96
Number of Semesters spent 4.6±2.3 4.0 1 -10
Average Monthly allowance(Naira) 11,329±8000 10,000 1,000-80,000
CGPA 3.6±0.6 3.56 2.0-5.0
Age at first sexual encounter(years) 17.2±3.3 18 7-27
Age at 1st Sexual intercourse(years) 18.7±3.2 19 7-28
Personality profile of subjects

Personality Traits Mean(SD) Medians) Range

Openness 3.64±0.59 3.65 2.20-8.4

Conscientiousness 3.75±0.71 3.78 2.22-8.78

Extraversion 3.01±0.70 3.00 1.12-10.12

Agreeableness 3.98±0.81 4.00 2.22-10.44

Neuroticism 2.81±1.02 2.75 1.0-9.62

Personality trait across variables on sexual behaviour
VARIABLE OPENNESS CONSCIENTIOUSNESS EXTRAVERSION AGREEABLENESS NEUROTICISM

Dating
No 3.66(0.65) 3.8(0.75) 3.0(0.77) 4.01(0.90) 2.84(1.03)
Yes 3.63(0.50) 3.71(0.65) 3.03(0.62) 3.97(0.70 ) 2.78(1.01)
T=0.494, T=1.171, df=2, T=-0.478, df=2, T=0.418, df=2, T=0.549, df=2
df=2, p>0.05 P>0.05 P>0.05 P>0.05 P>0.05
Sexual
Orientation 2.30(0.61) 3.93(0.76) 2.88(1.02)
Heterosexual 3.71(0.61) 3.73(0.66) 3.02(0.57) 4.05(0.59) 2.74(0.72)
Homosexual 3.75(0.53) 3.72(0.60) 2.96(0.57) 4.01(1.28) 2.92(1.42)
Bisexual 3.33(0.43) 3.69(0.64) F=1.171, df=2,383 F=0.227, df=2,383 F=0.130, df=2,383
F=6.751, F=0.050, df=2,383 P>0.05 P>0.05 P>0.05
df=2,383 P>0.05
P<0.05
1st Sexual
encounter
Kissing 3.66(0.65) 3.70(0.65) 3.07(0.61) 3.98(0.54) 2.81(0.84)
Petting/fondling 3.58(0.52) 3.72(0.64) 2.97(1.08) 3.88(0.88) 3.01(1.46)
Anal/vaginal 3.64(0.53) 3.82(0.62) 3.17(1.62) 4.07(1.32) 2.73(0.68)
F=0.421, F=0.053, df=2,383 F =0.716, df=2,383 F =0.685, df=2,383 F=1.136, df=2,383
df=2,383 P> 0.05 P>0.05 P>0.05 P>0.05
P>0.05
First partner
relationship
Boy/Girlfriend 3.54(0.48) 3.59(0.59) 3.17(0.94) 3.98(0.83) 2.84(1.12)
Date 3.41(0.46) 3.46(0.71) 3.32(0.74) 3.99(0.52) 2.95(0.73)
Others 4.23(1.22) 3.65(0.66) 2.71(0.67) 3.79(0.63) 3.31(1.67)
F=6.423, F=0.603, df=2,383 F=1.438, df=2,383 F=1.086, df=2,383 F=1.376, df=2,383
df=2,383 P>0.05 P>0.05 P>0.05 P>0.05
P<0.05
 PATTERN OF ALCOHOL USE BASED ON AUDIT SCORES

Alcohol use variable Whole sample Males Females

Frequency (%) Frequency (%) Frequency (%)

Never used (0) 261(67.8) 134(65.7) 127(70.2)

Normal (1-4) 76(19.7) 34(16.7) 42(23.2)

Hazardous/Harmful(5-8) 10(2.6) 7(3.4) 3(1.7)

Dependence(≥9) 24(6.2) 18(8.8) 6(3.3)

 PATTERN OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR

Sexual behaviour Mean(SD) Frequency(%)

Engaging in sexual behaviour without sex 1.22(2.07) 176(45%)
Vaginal intercourse without protection for 0.70(2.17) 92(24%)
pregnancy
Vaginal intercourse without Latex 0.70(2.11) 87(23%)
Fellatio without condom 0.50(2.22) 61(16%)
Hand penetration followed by anal sex 0.42(1.56) 60(15%)
Having anal sex without condom 0.33(1.36) 57(14.5%)
Having cunnilungus without dam 0.32(1.84) 54(14%)
Analingus 0.25(1.13) 47(12%)
 MAGNITUDE OF RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR IN THE STUDENT POPULATION
SEXUAL RISK FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
NONE 163 42
LOW 110 29
HIGH 95 25
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR AND PERSONALITY

TRAITS

VARIABLE OPENNESS CONSCIENTIOUSNESS EXTRAVERSION AGREEABLENESS NEUROTICISM

Sexual risk
category
Non 3.68(0.49) 3.77(0.67) 2.94(0.54) 4.06(0.93) 2.74(0.97)
Low risk 3.60(0.5) 3.67(0.54) 2.91(0.61) 3.97(0.52) 2.85(0.93)
High risk 3.64(0.76) 3.51(0.55) 3.24(0.98) 3.87(0.89) 2.89(1.18)
F=0.604,df=2, F=5.014, df=2, F=6.305, df=2, F=1.646, df=2, F=0.730, df=2
p>0.05 P<0.05 P<0.05 P>0.05 P>0.05
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR AND ALCOHOL USE
CATEGORIES

Sexual risk Never Normal Hazardous/Harmful Dependence(≥9) df X2 P value

category used use(1-4) use(5-8)
No sexual 135(52.5) 26(34.2) 0(0) 2(8.3) 6 75.26 <0.000
risk
Low sexual 81(31.5) 25(32.9) 1(10) 3(12.5)
risk
High sexual 41(16.0) 25(32.9) 9(90) 19(79.2)
risk
 CORRELATION ANALYSIS OF PERSONALITY TRAITS, ALCOHOL USE AND
SEXUAL RISK AMONG THE STUDY SUBJECTS
Variables 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

1.Openness 1

2.Conscientiousness .378** 1

3.Extraversion .125* .006 1

4.Agreableness .313** .513** .055 1

5.Neuroticism -.042 -.292** -.058 -.381* 1

6.Audit score -.129* -.278** .117* -.152** .116* 1

7.Sexual risk score -.079 -.186** .109* -.137* .069 .386** 1

8.Age of Respondent -.202** -.001 -.048 .009 .047 .185** .173** 1

9.Duration of relationship -.085 .021 -.005 -.017 -.027 -.034 -.032 .263** 1

10.Age at 1st sexual encounter -.110 -.018 .011 .081 -.018 .112 -.034 .427** .114 1

11.Age at 1st sexual intercourse -.122 -.007 -.054 -.064 .027 .103 -.068 .534** .040 .781** 1

12.No of Semesthers .007 .039 -.061 -.057 -.037 .186** .070 .427* -.019 -.005 .114 1
Predictors of sexual risk

95.0% C.I.for EXP(B)

B S.E. Wald(X2) Sig. Exp (B) Lower Upper
AUDIT score 2.241 .825 7.371 .007 9.403 1.865 47.410
Tribe/Yoruba -.954 .425 5.040 .025 2.595 1.129 5.967
dating 1.467 .314 21.829 .000 4.335 2.343 8.021
sex .307 .306 1.009 .315 1.360 .747 2.476
First partner(steady) -1.521 .363 17.517 .000 .218 .107 .445
Type of first encounter 1.725 1.150 2.247 .134 5.611 .588 53.496
Number of semesters .093 .362 .066 .797 1.097 .540 2.229
Age -.012 .056 .045 .832 .988 .885 1.103
Conscientiousness .006 .268 .000 .983 1.006 .594 1.702
Extraversion -.010 .191 .003 .958 .990 .681 1.439
Agreeableness -.225 .223 1.017 .313 .798 .515 1.237
Openness .265 .266 .991 .319 1.303 .774 2.194
Neuroticism .121 .139 .763 .383 1.129 .860 1.482

Model
98.38(13) 0.000
coefficients(Omnibus) (df)
Hosmer and Lemeshow test 9.376(8) 0.312
 DISCUSSION
• Personality traits were not found to be predictors of RSB.
The significant predictors of RSB in this study include
alcohol use, being in a dating relationship and relationship
with first sexual partner.
• This study has been able to show that individuals who use
alcohol are about 9 times (OR-9.4, CI= 1.9-47.4, p=0.007)
more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior than others
who do not use alcohol.
• Effective control of RSB and its aftermaths can be achieved
by
• Focusing on the control of alcohol use
• Supporting young adults who are interested in or are
already in dating relationships.
 STUDY LIMITATION

• The is cross-sectional descriptive study.

• The study was also done in one study center.

• The information was self reported- Recall bias, individual

embellishment or
•
REFERENCES
Adewuya, O.A., (2005)Validation of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) as a
Screening Tool for Alcohol-Related Problems among Nigerian University Students. Alcohol and
Alcoholism,40(6), 575-77.
• Adewuya,. A.O., Loto, O.M., Adewumi, T.A. (2009). Pattern and correlates of premenstrual
symptomatology amongst Nigerian University students. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, 30(2),127-32.
• Aral, S.O. (2001). Sexually transmitted diseases: magnitude, determinants and consequences.
International Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS 12: 211–15.
• Fawole, O.A., Ogunka, D.V., & Adegoke, G.S. (2011). Social behaviour and perception of HIV/AIDS in
Nigerian institutions; University of Ilorin a case study. Global Journal of Human Social Science.11(1)1-

• Fawole, O.I., Ajayi, I.O., Babalola, T.D., Oni, A.A. & Asuzu, M.C. (1999). Socio-demographic
Characteristics and sexual behaviour of adolescents attending the STC, UCH, Ibadan: A 5 year review.
West African Journal of Medical, 18: 165-9
• Fatoye, F.O. (2007). Substance use Among University Undergraduates: A Study of Pattern and Beliefs
in Ile-Ife. Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal,14(1):37-41.
• Makanjuola, A.B., Daramola, T.O. & Obembe, A.O. (2007). Psychoactive substance use among
medical students.World Psychiatry ;6:112-114
• Turchik, J. A., & Garske, J. P. (2009). Measurement of sexual risk taking among college students.
Archives of Sexual Behavior, 38, 936–948.
• Umeh, C.S. (2004). The impact of personality characteristics on student adjustment on campus.
Unpublished Ph.DResearch Monograph, Department of Psychology, University of Lagos.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Dr. V. Lasebikan

Prof. Benedicta Oladimeji

Prof Roger Makanjuola

ESE PUPO!
THANK YOU!!