Sexual Risk Behaviour Among School-going Adolescents in Sierra Leone and Liberia. A Secondary Analysis of the 2017 Global School Health Survey

Abstract Background: There is very little information on sexual risk behaviour among Sierra Leone and Liberia school-going adolescents. The present study assessed the prevalence and determinants of sexual risk behaviours among school-aged adolescents in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Method: We used publicly available nationally representative cross-sectional datasets of the 2017 Sierra Leone and Liberia Global school health survey. The sample consisted of 2798 and 2744 school-going adolescents from Sierra Leone and Liberia, respectively. Results: The majority of adolescents in the two countries were involved in multiple sexual risk behaviour (80.2%), with higher prevalence observed in Sierra Leone (85.2%) than in Liberia (75.3%), Liberian adolescents showed lesser odds of indulging in multiple sexual risk behaviours than their Sierra Leonean counterparts (AOR=0.572; 95%CI: 0.345-0.946). Male compared to females were more likely to engage in multiple sexual risk behaviour (AOR=2.310;95%CI:1.543-3.458), with a similar pattern observed in both countries. Alcohol use was associated with multiple sexual risk behaviour (AOR=3.064; 95%CI: 2.137-4.392). Also, in Sierra Leone and Liberia, adolescents with one and two or more forms of psychological distress were more likely to have ever had sex than those who do show any form of psychological distress. Missing class/school was associated with multiple sexual risk behaviour (AOR=1.655; 95%CI:1.133-2.418). Peer support was only found to be a protective factor against no condom use among Liberian adolescents (AOR=0.608; 95%CI: 0.435-0.850). Less parental support was only associated with ever had sex more likely to have ever had sex as seen among adolescents in Sierra Leone (AOR=2.027; 95%CI: 1.322-3.107) but not Liberia (1.034(0.650-1.644). Conclusion: Our study found a high sexual risk behaviour among school-going adolescents in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Our finding highlights the need to strengthen sexual and reproductive health education in schools and communities that incorporate mental health promotion activities tailored to this group.

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Exploring the socio-ecological levels for prevention of sexual risk behaviours of the youth in uMgungundlovu District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal

African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine ◽

10.4102/phcfm.v10i1.1590 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nelisiwe Khuzwayo ◽

Myra Taylor

Keyword(s):

Sexual Risk ◽

Economic Status ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

Framework Analysis ◽

Negative Stereotypes ◽

Individual Level ◽

Role Modelling ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviours

Background: Prevention of youth sexual risk behaviour among the youth in uMgungundlovu District Municipality continues to be a primary challenge for public health and health promotion. Current prevention interventions are targeted at an individual level, whilst youth behaviour is influenced by many social and environmental factors.Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the factors influencing sexual risk behaviours of the youth at different socio-ecological levels in uMgungundlovu District Municipality.Methods: An explorative and descriptive qualitative study design was used, using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions for data collection. A framework analysis was used to develop themes derived from the socio-ecological theory.Results: Four themes were identified that influence youth to engage in sexual risk behaviours: (1) individual factors, related to role modelling behaviour, gender and negative stereotypes towards females; (2) the microsystem in which youth function including the influence of family and peers; (3) the exo-system comprising the disadvantaged socio-economic status of the communities where the youth live; and (4) the macrosystem where negative social norms were reported to influence youth health outcomes.Conclusion: Sexual risk behaviour among youth in uMgungundlovu is influenced by many factors at multiple social levels. Interventions directed at these multiple levels are needed urgently.

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Seeking sex online: social and sexual risk factors among adolescent and young gay and bisexual men

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh14229 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 217 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Guy Shilo ◽

Zohar Mor

Keyword(s):

Identity Formation ◽

Sexual Risk ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽

Formation Processes ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviours

Background With the increased use of the Internet to seek sex, research has documented its associated sexual risk behaviours, especially among gay and bisexual men. Only a few studies to date have been conducted among adolescent and young men, and these have focussed on behavioural components to do with seeking sex online, without considering the role of same-sex identity formation processes. The current study aimed to identify behavioural and identity formation variables associated with seeking sex online among adolescents and youth. Methods: A web sampling of young Israeli gay and bisexual men aged 12–30 years (n = 445) was used to assess their seeking sex online characteristics, mental health, sexual risk behaviours, substance use, same-sex disclosure and acceptance and coping resources. Results: Nearly half of the sample used the Internet to seek sex, which was correlated with substance use and sexual risk behaviour. Young adults seek for sex online more commonly than adolescents. Higher numbers of: sexual partners, level of outness, levels of friends support and stronger connectedness to the gay community predicted seeking sex online. Seeking sex online was found to be more of predictor for sexual risk behaviour than any other predictor. Conclusions: Seeking sex online is influenced by the gay sub-culture climate and peer group relationships, rather than by social stressor variables related to sexual orientation formation processes, or by the subject’s general mental health condition. These results underscore the possible risks pertaining to seeking sex among gay and bisexual men and the possible use for this venue to convey safe-sex messages to adolescents and young adults.

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Sexual risk behaviour and its correlates among adolescents in Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Timor-Leste: results from national school surveys in 2015

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health ◽

10.1515/ijamh-2019-0230 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Karl Peltzer ◽

Supa Pengpid

Keyword(s):

Sexual Risk ◽

Sexuality Education ◽

Scale Up ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Multiple Sexual Partners ◽

Timor Leste ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviours

AbstractObjectivesThe study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of sexual risk behaviours among adolescents in four Southeast Asian countries.MethodsIn the cross-sectional “Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS)”, 24,423 adolescents (mean age 14.1 years, SD=1.7) from Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Timor-Leste responded to a questionnaire in 2015.ResultsOverall, 8.5% of the students (11.0% males and 6.3% females) ever had sex, ranging from 5.3% in Indonesia to 26.4% in Timor-Leste. Among the sexually active, 49.3% (55.9% males and 36.8% females) had their first sexual intercourse before the age 14 years, ranging from 16.1% in Laos to 73.9% in Indonesia, 59.7% (62.6% males and 53.5% females) had multiple sexual partners, ranging from 55.5% in Timor-Leste to 63.4% in Indonesia, 46.9% (46.8% males and 46.5% females) did not use a condom at last sex, ranging from 37.0% in Thailand to 65.3% in Indonesia, 49.8% (53.7% males and 43.7% females) had not used or did not know of the use of birth control at last sex, ranging from 40.6% in Thailand to 61.5% in Timor-Leste, and 54.2% (54.9% males and 47.0% females) engaged in multiple sexual risk behaviour, ranging from 45.9% in Laos to 78.0% in Indonesia. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, male sex, older age, food insecurity, tobacco use, alcohol use, ever cannabis and/or amphetamine use, psychological distress, and school truancy were associated with two or more and/or multiple sexual risk behaviours.ConclusionsA high proportion of students engaged in various sexual risk behaviours calling for a scale up comprehensive sexuality education and integration of substance use and mental health into such intervention programmes in this adolescent school population.

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Understand Sexual Risk Behaviours in Young Adults and Challenges in their Education

Qualitative Research in Education ◽

10.17583/qre.2021.6996 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 172

Author(s):

Laura Alonso-Martínez ◽

María Fernández-Hawrylak ◽

Davinia Heras-Sevilla ◽

Delfín Ortega-Sánchez

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Sexual Risk ◽

Sexuality Education ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Well Being ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

Educational Approach ◽

Health And Well Being ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviours

Sexual risk behaviours are considered sexual conducts that can cause biological, psychological and social damage. Therefore, sexuality education is considered the only effective way to avoid it. This project aims to understand sexual risk behaviour factors and their consequences in young adults and to explore strategies they would use to face them. To answer these questions, we conducted a qualitative study in which we interviewed 11 young adults using an asynchronous mail technique due to the Covid19 pandemic. We also carried out a thematic analysis and developed our key results: 1) Sexual attitudes and behaviours; 2) Sexual risk factors, 3) Sexual risk consequences; and 4) Educational approach and strategies. Similarities in the themes were verified with previous literature, exposing the importance of learning to identify factors and consequences to respond appropriately. Participants believe that comprehensive and egalitarian sexuality education applied at individual and community level is a solid method that can improve sexual health and well-being. To conclude, this study reveals the importance of listening to young adults’ perspectives towards these conduct variables and educational approaches in order to establish global health strategies that could be based on these results.

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Sexual risk behaviours and HIV-1 prevalence among urban men who have sex with men in Cape Town, South Africa

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh09090 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 149 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Earl Burrell ◽

Daniella Mark ◽

Robert Grant ◽

Robin Wood ◽

Linda-Gail Bekker

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Sexual Risk ◽

Cape Town ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Hiv Prevalence ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv 1

Background: Distinct homosexual and heterosexual HIV epidemics have previously been recognised in South Africa. However, linked HIV prevalence and self-reported sexual risk behaviour data have not been reported for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Cape Town since 1986. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous, venue-based HIV risk behaviour and prevalence study of 542 self-identified MSM in greater Cape Town using a self-administered risk questionnaire and the OraSure® testing device to asses HIV-1 prevalence. Results: This sample had an overall HIV prevalence of 10.4% (56/539). We found that self-identifying as gay, homosexual or queer (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0–20.0) and reporting ever having had a sexually transmissible infection diagnosis (AOR 4.3, 95% CI: 2.3–8.3) were significantly predictive of testing HIV-1 positive, while reporting unprotected anal intercourse with a known HIV-negative partner (AOR 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2–0.9) was significantly protective. Conclusion: These data suggest a mature epidemic with consistent high-risk taking among MSM in Cape Town, and significant associations of select self-reported risk behaviours and HIV-1 serostatus. There is a need for continued and robust HIV surveillance along with detailed risk behaviour trends over time to inform the development of targeted risk-reduction interventions for this population.

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Using marijuana, drinking alcohol or a combination of both: the association of marijuana, alcohol and sexual risk behaviour among adolescents

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh16218 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 254 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Erik D. Storholm ◽

Brett A. Ewing ◽

Stephanie Brooks Holliday ◽

Bradley D. Stein ◽

Lisa S. Meredith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Use ◽

Sexual Risk ◽

Primary Care Clinic ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Marijuana Use ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽

Sexually Active ◽

Care Clinic ◽

The Past ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviours

Background Although the association between alcohol use and sexual risk behaviour has been well-documented, there is little understanding of whether marijuana use alone or combining marijuana with alcohol use contributes to sexual risk behaviour among adolescents. Methods: A diverse sample of sexually active adolescents (n = 616) aged 12–18 years (50.32% Hispanic; 31.17% Black) completed a survey on alcohol use, marijuana use and sexual risk behaviour during a visit to a primary care clinic. Results: Adolescents were more likely to report having had two or more sexual partners in the past 3 months if they reported using both alcohol and marijuana (OR = 3.90, P < 0.0001), alcohol alone (OR = 2.51, P < 0.0001) or marijuana alone (OR = 1.89, P < 0.001) compared with adolescents who reported no use during the past month. Adolescents were more likely to report having both two or more partners and condomless sex if they used both alcohol and marijuana (OR = 3.19, P < 0.001) or alcohol alone (OR = 3.41, P < 0.01) in the past month compared with adolescents who reported using marijuana alone or had no use of either. Conclusions: Providers should screen for both alcohol and marijuana use among adolescents and discuss how use of alcohol or alcohol in conjunction with marijuana may be associated with sexual risk behaviours.

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Risk Behaviours Associated with Dating and Relationship Violence among 11–16 Year Olds in Wales: Results from the 2019 Student Health and Wellbeing Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18031192 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 1192

Author(s):

Danielle V. R. Couturiaux ◽

Honor Young ◽

Rebecca E. Anthony ◽

Nicholas Page ◽

Emily Lowthian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Peer Relationships ◽

School Health ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Self Report ◽

Research Network ◽

Student Health ◽

Relationship Violence ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models

(1) Background: This study examines the associations between risk behaviours and adolescent emotional and physical dating and relationship violence (DRV) victimisation and perpetration, and how these vary by gender. The risk behaviours explored include bullying, cyberbullying, sexting, alcohol, and cannabis use; (2) Methods: Cross-sectional self-report data from the School Health Research Network (SHRN) 2019 Student Health Wellbeing (SHW) survey of 48,397 students aged 11–16 from 149 schools across Wales were analysed using single and multiple-behaviour logistic regression models to explore the associations between each risk behaviour and emotional and physical DRV victimisation and perpetration; (3) Results: Bivariate analyses revealed a statistically significant association between DRV and all risk behaviours. In multivariate analyses, students who reported bullying, cyberbullying, sexting, and substance use, compared to those that had not, had significantly higher odds of experiencing and perpetrating emotional and physical DRV; and (4) Conclusions: Future studies on DRV should consider a mixed-methods approach to explore the context in which DRV and risk behaviours interrelate. Results from this study indicate the possibility that prevention and intervention programmes in school settings that seek to develop healthy school environments and peer-to-peer relationships, could inadvertently reduce the occurrence of future DRV and associated risk behaviours.

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