Factors Influencing Premarital Sexual Behavior among Female Students in Mubi, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the factors influencing premarital sexual behavior among female students in tertiary institutions in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Despite increasing national attention to youth sexual health, limited research has explored the unique socio-cultural and economic dynamics shaping sexual decisions in semi-urban northern contexts. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Social Ecological Model (SEM), this study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design using a mixed-method approach. A total of 300 female students were selected through stratified random sampling across three institutions. Quantitative data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS v25, while qualitative insights were gathered through focus group discussions and thematically analyzed using NVivo. Findings revealed a 58% prevalence of premarital sexual activity among respondents. Logistic regression identified peer pressure (OR = 2.31, p = 0.003), economic hardship (OR = 1.87, p = 0.012), and social media exposure (OR = 1.54, p = 0.045) as significant predictors, while religious commitment (OR = 0.68, p = 0.021) served as a protective factor. Qualitative data highlighted emotional isolation, cultural silence around sexuality, and digital influences as key contextual drivers. The integration of TPB and SEM provided a comprehensive understanding of how individual beliefs and environmental pressures interact to shape behavior. The study concludes that multi-level interventions spanning sexual education, economic empowerment, digital literacy, and mental health support are essential to address the complex realities influencing female students’ sexual decisions in Mubi. Future research should adopt longitudinal designs and broader geographic sampling to enhance generalizability and inform policy development.