Abstract

This study examined the multi-factorial bases of HIV-risky sexual behaviour of market women in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. A descriptive correlational design using the ex-post-facto method was utilised among 220 randomly selected volunteered and eligible market women at Bodija market in Ibadan Metropolis. Transcribed self-administered questionnaire tagged Multi-HIV Risky Sexual Behaviour Factor Scale - divided into six sub-sections was administered to the participants. The sub-sections on HIV-Knowledge has reliability with Cronbach alpha of 0.83, Condom use self-efficacy has (r=0.84), self-esteem (r= 0.79), (r= 0.77) and customer relationship sub-scale (r= 0.73). Three research questions were generated and tested at the 0.05 alpha level. The results showed that there was significant relationships between the number of children (r = 0.263, P < 0.05); monthly income of the participants (r = 0.418, P < 0.05); HIV knowledge (r = 0.237, P < 0.05) and fatalistic belief (r = 0.513, P < 0.5) and risky sexual behaviour among market women in Bodija market, Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. A negative but significant relationship was also observed between condom use self-efficacy (r = -0.515, P < 0.05) and risky sexual behaviour. However, there was no significant relationship between age (r = 0.138, P > 0.05), self-esteem (r = 0.022, P > 0.05); level of education (r = -0.003, P > 0.05) customer relationship (r = 0.142, P > 0.05) and risky sexual behaviour among market women in Bodija, Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State. In terms of magnitude of the contribution, Condom use self-efficacy contributed most to the prediction of risky sexual behaviour ( = -0.454, t = -4.024, P < 0.01) and number of children ( = -0.004, t = 0.030, P > 0.01) being the least. There was also joint effect of the independent variables on risky sexual behaviour (R = 0.676, P<.01) with the combined effect accounted for 42.6% (Adjusted R2 = 0.426) of the total variance in the prediction of risky sexual behaviour among market women. The analysis of variance of the multiple regression data yielded an F-ratio value which was found to be significant (F = 14.416, P < 0.05). Based on the findings, it was recommended that a mass campaign be regularly applied in empowering adequate and healthy sexual behaviour among market women of Bodija market, in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria. It is also recommended that VCT should be accessible and located at strategic places in Bodija market while instructions on assertiveness techniques would be an added value.