Motivations for Sexual Relationships, Sero-discordant Partnerships and the Spread of HIV amongst Tiv People of Benue State, North Central Nigeria

Despite the awareness created on the modes of HIV transmission through sexual behaviour change intervention programmes, the incidence rates of HIV infections remain considerably high in Nigeria, with a figure of 227,518 cases in 2014. The present study examines the motivations for sexual relationships, sero-discordant partnerships and the spread of HIV amongst Tiv People of Benue State, Nigeria. A sample of 1,621 respondents was collected using multi-stage and purposive sampling methods. Structured and in-depth interviews were used for data collection. SPSS (version 21) was used for quantitative data analysis. The desire for pleasure, place to live, favours, love and their combined effects, age; and levels of education are significantly associated with sero-discordant partnerships. The motivation factors for sero-discordant sexual relationships will need to be addressed, while ensuring access to quality education, if significant reduction in the incidence rates of HIV is to be achieved amongst the Tiv People of North Central Nigeria.