SAFE SEX PRACTICES AMONG YOUTH IN IBADAN METROPOLIS: THE PREDICTIVE ROLE OF NEGOTIATION AND PERSUASION

Abstract

Despite widespread efforts, unsafe sexual practices remain prevalent among youth, contributing significantly to the rising rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in this age group. Existing literature has primarily focused on knowledge dissemination, often neglecting the psychosocial competencies that drive behaviour change. This study addresses this gap by examining the predictive roles of negotiation and persuasion on safe sex among youths in the Ibadan Metropolis. This study employed a cross-sectional design using purposive sampling technique to select 403 participants from the University of Ibadan, with ages ranging from 19 to 30 years (mean age = 24.61, SD = 5.13). A 46-item selfreport questionnaire assessing socio-demographics, safe sex practice (α = .89), negotiation (α = .93), and persuasion (α = .89) was administered. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression, Pearson product-moment correlation, and t-tests of independence at a 0.05 significance level. Four hypotheses were tested. The result revealed that negotiation and persuasion were significant joint predictors of safe sex practices among youth [R = .20; R² = .04; F (2, 401) = 2.00; p < .05]. However, only negotiation independently predicted safe sex practices (β = .17; t = 1.98; p < .05). There were no significant gender differences in safe sex practices [t (401) = .33; p > .05]. Sex education significantly predicted safe sex practices [t (401) = 4.06; p < .01], with youth exposed to sex education reporting higher safe sex practices (Mean = 48.18; SD = 5.96) compared to those who did not receive sex education (Mean = 44.81; SD = 6.10). Age and level of study had significant independent and joint predictions on safe sex practices [R = .18; R² = .08; F (2, 401) = 1.18; p < .05], with age being an independent predictor (β = .22; t = 2.12; p < .05). Implications highlight the need for targeted interventions enhancing youths’ negotiation and persuasion abilities. The study contributes to knowledge by linking psychosocial factors to safe sex. It recommends integrating skill-based sex education into school curricula to promote informed, responsible sexual behaviours.