SEXUAL DEBUT, STI EXPOSURE, AND THE CASE FOR EARLY HPV IMMUNIZATION IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Premarital sexual debut among adolescents and young adults presents significant public health challenges, particularly in Northern Nigeria where early sexual initiation is linked to heightened risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and adverse reproductive health outcomes. In Maiduguri, Borno State, strong cultural and religious prohibitions rooted in Islam and Christianity emphasize abstinence and chastity before marriage. These values are further reinforced by community norms and HIV prevention efforts promoting abstinence as a primary strategy. However, despite these protective cultural and religious frameworks, premarital sexual activity persists and appears to be rising, especially among urban youth and university students. Factors such as peer influence, modernization, increased exposure to global cultural norms, and economic pressures contribute to this trend. This growing prevalence of premarital sexual debut underscores the urgent need for early interventions, including timely human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization, to mitigate the heightened risk of STIs in this population. This study explores the interplay between premarital sexual behaviors and STI risk among young people in Northern Nigeria, providing evidence to support the justification for early HPV vaccination as a critical public health measure