Religion and STIs Campaigns: The Perceptions of the Nigerian Youths

Religious constraints on sexuality may have consequences for the transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Recognising that several religious tenets may have the positive effect of reducing the prevalence of STIs if incorporated into STI preventive campaigns prompted the decision to carry out this research. This study was conducted to understand how religion tenets can be effectively incorporated into STI preventive campaigns in Nigeria. An in-depth interview was conducted with 32 young people from the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. The result of the study showed that religiouslymotivated young people were likely to avoid engaging in sexual practices as a result of their religious tenets. Informants with strong religious faith mentioned that the virtue of temperance assisted them in curtailing their sexual desires thus reducing their chances of exposure to risky sexual behaviour. Most of the informants mentioned that religion was one aspect of culture that could be used to prevent young people from being involved in risky sexual behaviour or pre-marital sex. The obvious implication arising from this position suggested that the inclusion of religion and the virtues they taught in STI campaigns would result in more positive STI behavioural change among young people. The conclusion is that religion as an attribute of culture can be used to discourage a large number of young people from becoming involved in risky sexual behaviour that leads to STIs.