Background: Sexual and reproductive health issues remain significant challenges, particularly among youth. Female undergraduates in tertiary institutions face unique circumstances that can influence their sexual behaviour and reproductive choices. Thus, this study assessed the determinants of sexual activity and induced abortion among female undergraduates in Imo State, Southeast, Nigeria.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 500 female undergraduates selected by multistage sampling technique. Data were obtained using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Chi-Square test and Logistic regression analysis were used to identify the determinants of sexual activity and induced abortion among women. The level of statistical significance was determined at p <0.05.
Results: The mean age of the respondents was 20.3 ± 0.9 years with the majority being single. The prevalence of sexual activity in the last three months preceding the study was 30.8% while the prevalence of induced abortion was 8.4%. The predictors of sexual debut in the last three months preceding the study were; age 30 years and above (AOR=11.68, 95% CI: :4.96-27.51), (AOR=11.68, 95% CI:4.96-27.51), being an ever-married student (AOR=15.59, 95% CI:8.81-27.58), of the Hausa
tribe (AOR=11.64, 95% CI:3.77-35.92), attending Islam or traditional religion (AOR=10.65, 95% CI:3.77-30.06), living with a male partner (AOR=40.77, 95% CI:15.85-104.82), being sponsored in school through scholarship (AOR=9.78:3.46-27.64), studying in a non-medical related faculty (AOR=1.56, 95% CI:1.08-2.32), sharing room with a male partner (AOR=18.16, 95% CI: 8.43-39.10), earning an income (AOR=4.24, 95% CI: 2.83-6.33). The predictors of induced abortion were; age 30 years and above (AOR=14.46, 95% CI:4.50-42.22), being an ever-married student (AOR=4.59, 95% CI:2.37-8.85), of the Yoruba ethnic nationality (AOR=4.69, 95% CI: 2.27-9.71), attending traditional religion (AOR=18.38, 95% CI: 2.40-141.10), living with a partner (AOR=19.00, 95% CI: 4.14-87.16), self-sponsorship in school (AOR=13.89, 95% CI: 5.94-32.45), and being a parttime
student (AOR=5.68, 95% CI: 2.76-11.74).,
Conclusion: Many socio-demographic variables were found to influence both sexual activity and induced abortion among undergraduates, . thus Thus, it is crucial to develop effective and targeted interventions that promote improved sexual and reproductive health of female undergraduates.