Exposure to pornographic movies and sexual activity among youth in urban poor Accra

Adolescent sexual activity in sub-Saharan Africa is plagued with health consequences which are further exacerbated among its urban poor populations. Studies have identified various factors that influence the sexual aspects of youth in the sub-region but have scarcely examined the role of sexually explicit media. Pornography, whether seen through print, television, film or the internet, is recognized as a contributor to adolescent sex. Thus, using quantitative methods, this study sought to investigate the relationship between exposure to pornographic movies and pre-coital and coital experiences among 12 to 24 year old youth residing in an urban poor community in Accra. Results suggest that respondents who had ever watched a pornographic movie were more likely to have pre-coital experiences, i.e. kissed and/or fondled a member of the opposite sex, and sexual intercourse. In addition, those who enjoyed watching pornographic movies were more likely to have pre-coital experiences. These outcomes were similar to those in studies conducted among US, Australian, Singaporean and Thai youth. Albeit a controversial issue, this subject requires more attention from researchers and adolescent sexual & reproductive health advocates in sub-Saharan Africa, to enable a thorough examination of pornography’s impact on sexual activity among youth.