Prevalence of, disposition towards and factors associated with cohabitation among undergraduates in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cohabitation is increasingly common in tertiary institutions and is associated with reproductive health and other related challenges. This study is designed to determine the prevalence, pattern, disposition and reasons for premarital cohabitation among students of a tertiary institution in South West Nigeria
 Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 350 undergraduates selected from a university in Oyo State using a multistage sampling technique. Data was collected via a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0
 Results: Majority (90.0%) of the respondents were below 25 years and 70.0% were females. Twenty seven (7.7%) were currently cohabiting while 70 (20.0%) had ever cohabitated. A third (32.0%) were favorably disposed towards cohabitation. More males, older respondents and those whose parents were not their source of income reported ever having cohabited.
 Conclusion: Cohabiting is practiced among university students and is socially acceptable to many. Concerted efforts geared towards sensitization and awareness programs to educate students on the adverse consequences of cohabitation should be embarked upon by concerned stakeholders.