Influence of Perception of Family Support and Functioning on Adolescent High-Risk Sexual Behavior

Adolescents often engage in high-risk behaviors which often have lifelong consequences. It is unclear whether an association exists between adolescents' perception of family support and family functioning and sexual risk behavior. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 702 adolescent students (aged 15-19 years) of a university in Nigeria and assessed high-risk sexual behavior (HRSB) and their judgment of family functioning and support. We used multivariable logistic regression analyses to evaluate the relationship between HRSB and the perception of family support and functioning. We found that 114 (16.2%, 95% CI: 13.69-19.16) of the adolescents engaged in HRSB. A higher proportion of boys (22.7%, 95% CI: 17.79-28.47) than girls (12.93, 95% CI: 10.17-16.31) engaged in HRSB (P = 0.001). The prevalence of intimate partner violence in our study was 8% (95% CI: 6.19-10.29). Participants with lower perception scores were more likely to be engaged in HRSB (aOR: 0.920, 95% CI: 0.878-0.965). Likewise, the perception of family functioning was inversely related to HRSB among the participants (aOR: 0.884, 95% CI: 0.813-0.962). There is an association between adolescents' perception of family support and functioning and HRSB. This association may provide a link in the complex interaction between the role of the family and adolescent sexuality. Programs and interventions for preventing HRSB and promoting risk-reducing autonomous decision-making among adolescents should include context- and setting-specific interventions that improve family support and functioning, and those that target in dysfunctional family settings.