Wednesday 10 September 2003, 4pm, U Lounge
Patterns of condom use and abstinence among unmarried youth aged 15-24 in Uganda: evidence from 1995 and 2000/01 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) female data
Mbona Nazarius Tumwesigye, Nyovani Madise, David Holmes, University of Southampton
Source of data: Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 1995 and 2000/01
Introduction
Uganda has experienced the worst health hazard in its history with an estimated two million cumulative HIV cases resulting in a large number of AIDS cases. The HIV prevalence has reduced from a median of 19.8 per cent in 1995 to 5.5 per cent in 2001 among women attending antenatal care at sentinel sites but the rate of decline is lower in the 1996-2001 period (1.25 per cent per year) compared to 1992-95 (2.43 per cent per year).
A similar trend has been observed in all sites and age groups. The aim of this paper is to investigate the pattern of condom use and abstinence among young unmarried women. The main messages for young people have been abstinence and condom use. Could there have been a change in pattern of condom use and abstinence? Are factors commonly associated with condom use and abstinence in the general population still significant among the unmarried youth?
Methods
Cross-tabulations and logistic regression are used to analyse the patterns of abstinence and condom use. Abstinence as measured over a 12 month period was preferred to periods of one and three months.
Results
From 1995 to 2000/01 there was a drop in abstinence among unmarried and sexually experienced women. Condom use increased nearly three fold over the same period. Factors associated with reduced abstinence were: age 20-24; residence in central region; and short stay at place of residence. Region of residence, current type of residence and education level were significant predictors of condom use. The pattern of abstinence and condom use did not significantly change over the years 1995 and 2000/01.
Email: nmbonat@socsci.soton.ac.uk
The role of parent-adolescent communication in the sexual behaviour of young people in South Africa
Ntsiki Manzini, University of Southampton
The high prevalence of HIV among young people in South Africa suggests that unprotected sexual activity is rife. Accordingly, this has serious implications for sexually transmitted infections as well as unplanned pregnancies and other pregnancy-related complications. The risk of pregnancy or HIV infection continues to be a cause for concern among the youth of South Africa. A greater understanding of the factors that put adolescents at increased risk of HIV infection and teenage pregnancy is needed to develop programmes that will encourage positive behaviours among adolescents. Debates on risk avoidance have continued to emphasise the role of communication to promote safer sex.
This paper addresses the role of parent-child communication in the sexual behaviour of young people in South Africa. Data from the 2001 South African National Youth survey was used for the analyses. Logistic regression was used to establish whether parent-adolescent communication is associated with lower levels of sexual risk behaviours among adolescents. Discussions follow on whether the content of the communication influences sexual behaviour, and the extent to which the communication and reports by both parents and teenagers enable us to draw conclusions for programme development.
Email: ntsiki@socsci.soton.ac.uk
Kusvika taparadzaniswa nerufu (until death do us part): marital status and its links with HIV transmission
Natalie Spark-du Preez, Basia Zaba, Constance Nyamukapa, Makalima Mlilo and Simon Gregson
It is widely believed that marriage can prevent the acquisition of HIV as opposed to casual relationships and unstable unions. The aim of this study was to assess the protective effect of marriage using baseline data on 7,797 non-virgins between 15 and 54 years of age in a rural population in Zimbabwe, while taking into account gender differentials in risk factors for seroconversion.
Married persons had higher odds of HIV infection than those never married, but lower odds than those who had recently been divorced or widowed. For females, marriage was only protective up until partner-related variables were added into the model. For males, being married carried higher odds of being HIV positive regardless of which other variables were controlled for. Results suggest that marriage does not bestow any form of protection in this population if sexual history, socio-demographic factors, spatial mobility and partner-related characteristics are taken into account. Partner-related risk factors appeared to play a more pivotal role for female HIV prevalence than for that of males, for whom their own sexual behaviour was more dominant.
With increased marital instability and a subsequent higher rate of partner change at younger ages as a result of HIV/ AIDS, marital customs and sexual networks in a patrilineal society facilitate the spread of the virus. Marriage can only be protective if this takes place soon after, or coincides with age at first sexual intercourse for both sexes, in the absence of extramarital sex, or if condoms are consistently used during non-marital sex, none of which are said to be characteristic of this population.
Email: N.L.Spark@lboro.ac.uk