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The Potency of Religious Influence on Marital Sexual Infidelity: Evidence from Demographic and Health Surveys in Ghana and Nigeria

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Abstract

Previous studies suggest marital sexual infidelity (MSI) is growing among men and women. Also, social sciences literature has indicated that religious involvement and values reduce MSI occurrence. Religious persuasions and values remain critical in social life in Ghana and Nigeria, but little is known about religious influence on MSI and protection in both countries. In this study, the 2014 standard Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data for Ghana (GDHS2014: 3,808 women and 1,967 men) and that of 2013 in Nigeria (NDHS2013: 22,220 women 8,292 men) were analysed within the framework of Durkheim’s theory of religion. Results suggest that MSI occurred more among women than men in Ghana (women = 12.9%, men = 9.9%) and Nigeria (women = 6.0%, men = 5.0%). Adjusted logistic regression analysis indicated that religion significantly predicted MSI in Ghana (p < 0.05) and Nigeria (p < 0.001). In Ghana, Other Christian women (OR = 0.5(CI0.4-0.7), p < 0.001; men (OR = 0.6(CI0.4-0.9), p < 0.05) and in Nigeria, Other Christian women (OR = 0.7(CI0.6-0.9), p < 0.001, and Muslims (women, OR = 0.3(CI0.3-0.4), p < 0.001; men (OR = 0.6(CI0.4-0.8), p < 0.01) had lower odds of reporting MSI experience relative to Catholic Christians. Women are likely more vulnerable to STIs in both countries due to higher MSI prevalence and relatively poor protective behaviour. Therefore, marriage counsellors should focus more on women and men across all religious persuasions. However, women and Catholic Christians require more attention to address the MSI and condom use challenges in Ghana and Nigeria. Social campaigns aiming to prevent MSI and STIs should be intensive in both countries across all religious persuasions.

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Acknowledgements

A previous version of this paper was presented at the 29th IUSSP International Population Conference (Virtual) held in New Delhi, India, 5th -10th December 2021.

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The study was not supported by any funding organisation.

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  1. Department of Sociology, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria

    Onipede Wusu

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Wusu, O. The Potency of Religious Influence on Marital Sexual Infidelity: Evidence from Demographic and Health Surveys in Ghana and Nigeria. Sexuality & Culture 26, 1804–1818 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-022-09972-8

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