Multiple sexual partnership mediates the association between early sexual debut and sexually transmitted infection among adolescent and young adult males in Nigeria.

To assess the relationship between early sexual debut, risky sexual behaviours and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young males. The study was cross-sectional analytical in design and involved 1278 Nigerian males aged 15-24 years. Logistic regression was used in assessing the statistical relationship between early sexual debut (<16 years) and self-reported STIs (history of at least one of three symptoms - painful urination, genital discharge, and genital ulcer/sore - within the past 12 months), with demographic factors, sexual behaviours and psychosocial measures controlled for. The prevalence of self-reported symptoms was 4.2% for genital discharge, 4.1% for painful urination, and 2.0% for genital sore/ulcer. Overall, 6.8% had STI symptom(s). At bivariate analysis, early sexual debut (p = 0.021), multiple partners (p < 0.001), concurrent partners (p = 0.002), and sex with casual/commercial partners (p = 0.013) were associated with STIs. At multivariate analysis, early sexual debut (odds ratio [OR] = 2.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.17-3.84) remained significantly associated with STIs. Multiple sexual partnership (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.13-3.52) was also significantly associated with STIs, and is a mediator of the association between early debut and STI. Multiple sexual partners and early sexual debut are associated with STIs among adolescent and young adult males.