Psychosocial Distress and Exposure to Sexually Explicit Materials as Correlates of Sexual Intercourse among Adolescents in Dodoma–Tanzania

Abstract Background: Adolescents’ sexuality is topical in public health discussions owing to its ability to increase the risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. Research shows that adolescents’ sexual behavior, psychosocial distress, and exposure to sexually explicit material are interconnected in that they need collective health interventions for adolescents. However, although mental health factors, such as psychological distress, are common in developing and middle-income countries, including Tanzania, mental health factors are less considered in HIV research. Thus, there is a need to raise awareness on the role of mental health factors in HIV epidemic. This study is, therefore, a response to this requirement by examining the contribution of psychosocial distress and exposure to sexually explicit materials on sexual intercourse among adolescents in Dodoma Region using Dodoma Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) data. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five villages of Chamwino District from April to June 2017 among 1,226 adolescents of 10-19 years age. The villages of Chamwino District were used as sampling strata while a stratified random sampling technique was used to select the respondents.A weighted logistic regression model was used to examine the independent contribution of psychosocial distress and exposure to sexually explicit materials on sexual intercourse while accounting for study design.Results: The overall lifetime prevalence of adolescent sexuality was 20.38%. The prevalence was observed to be higher among males (32.15%) as compared to females (10.92%). Adolescent sexuality was significantly associated with both psychosocial distress and exposure to sexually explicit materials. The odds ratios showed that adolescents reported psychosocially distressed (AOR=1.61, 95 %CI: 1.32- 1.96) and those exposed to sexually explicit materials (AOR=4.26, 95% CI: 3.65- 4.97) were at higher risk of having sexual intercourse. Other variables associated with sexual intercourse were age, sex, alcohol use, and current schooling status.Conclusion: The analysis made through this study came to the conclusion that as HIV risk continues to be a serious concern among adolescents, adolescent sexuality, psychosocial distress, and exposure to sexually explicit materials are interconnected. This calls for upfront interventions on school health education and services, particularly on the ventures to lower psychosocial distress and avert exposure on sexually explicit materials to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

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Psychosocial Distress and Exposure to Sexually Explicit Materials as Correlates of Sexual Intercourse among Adolescents in Dodoma–Tanzania

10.21203/rs.3.rs-27440/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Abdalla Hussein ◽

Abbas Ismail ◽

Augustine Malero ◽

Habibu Dadi ◽

James Charles ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽

Sexual Intercourse ◽

Psychosocial Distress ◽

Adolescent Sexuality ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Health Factors ◽

Sexually Explicit Materials ◽

Sexually Explicit ◽

Mental Health Factors

Abstract Background: Adolescents’ sexuality is topical in public health discussions owing to its ability to increase the risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. Research shows that adolescents’ sexual behavior, psychosocial distress, and exposure to sexually explicit material are interconnected in that they need collective health interventions for adolescents. However, although mental health factors, such as psychological distress, are common in developing and middle-income countries, including Tanzania, mental health factors are less considered in HIV research. Thus, there is a need to raise awareness on the role of mental health factors in HIV epidemic. This study is, therefore, a response to this requirement by examining the contribution of psychosocial distress and exposure to sexually explicit materials on sexual intercourse among adolescents in Dodoma Region using Dodoma Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) data.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five villages of Chamwino District from April to June 2017 among 1,226 adolescents of 10-19 years age. The villages of Chamwino District were used as sampling strata while a stratified random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. A weighted logistic regression model was used to examine the independent contribution of psychosocial distress and exposure to sexually explicit materials on sexual intercourse while accounting for study design. Results: The overall lifetime prevalence of adolescent sexuality was 20.38%. The prevalence was observed to be higher among males (32.15%) as compared to females (10.92%). Adolescent sexuality was significantly associated with both psychosocial distress and exposure to sexually explicit materials. The odds ratios showed that adolescents reported psychosocially distressed (AOR=1.61, 95 %CI: 1.32- 1.96) and those exposed to sexually explicit materials (AOR=4.26, 95% CI: 3.65- 4.97) were at higher risk of having sexual intercourse. Other variables associated with sexual intercourse were age, sex, alcohol use, and current schooling status. Conclusion: The analysis made through this study came to the conclusion that as HIV risk continues to be a serious concern among adolescents, adolescent sexuality, psychosocial distress, and exposure to sexually explicit materials are interconnected. This calls for upfront interventions on school health education and services, particularly on the ventures to lower psychosocial distress and avert exposure on sexually explicit materials to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

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Psychosocial Distress and Exposure to Sexually Explicit Materials as Correlates of Sexual Intercourse among Adolescents in Dodoma–Tanzania

10.21203/rs.3.rs-39477/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Abdalla Hussein ◽

Abbas Ismail ◽

Augustine Malero ◽

Habibu Dadi ◽

James Charles ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽

Sexual Intercourse ◽

Psychosocial Distress ◽

Adolescent Sexuality ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Health Factors ◽

Sexually Explicit Materials ◽

Sexually Explicit ◽

Mental Health Factors

Abstract Background: Adolescents’ sexuality is topical in public health discussions owing to its ability to increase the risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. Research shows that adolescents’ sexual behavior, psychosocial distress, and exposure to sexually explicit material(SEM) are interconnected in that they need collective health interventions for adolescents. Although mental health factors, such as psychological distress, are common in developing and middle-income countries, including Tanzania, these factors are less considered in HIV research. Thus, there is a need to raise awareness on the role of mental health factors in HIV epidemic. This study is, therefore, a response to this requirement by examining the contribution of psychosocial distress and exposure to sexually explicit materials on sexual intercourse among adolescents in Dodoma Region of Tanzania.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five villages of Chamwino District from April to June 2017 among 1,226 adolescents of 10-19 years’ age. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. A weighted logistic regression model was used to examine the independent contribution of psychosocial distress and exposure to sexually explicit materials on sexual intercourse while accounting for study design.Results: The overall lifetime prevalence of adolescent sexuality was 20.38%. The prevalence was observed to be higher among males (32.15%) as compared to females (10.92%). Adolescent sexuality was significantly associated with both psychosocial distress and exposure to sexually explicit materials. The odds ratios showed that adolescents reported psychosocially distressed (AOR=1.61, 95 %CI: 1.32- 1.96) and those exposed to sexually explicit materials (AOR=4.26, 95% CI: 3.65- 4.97) were at higher risk of having sexual intercourse. Other variables associated with sexual intercourse were age, sex, alcohol use, and current schooling status.Conclusion: The analysis made through this study came to the conclusion that as HIV risk continues to be a serious concern among adolescents, adolescent sexuality, psychosocial distress, and exposure to sexually explicit materials are interconnected. This calls for upfront interventions on school health education and services, particularly on the ventures to lower psychosocial distress and avert exposure on sexually explicit materials to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

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Associations between problem gambling, socio-demographics, mental health factors and gambling type: sex differences among Finnish gamblers

International Gambling Studies ◽

10.1080/14459795.2013.840328 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 39-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Johanna Nordmyr ◽

Anna K. Forsman ◽

Kristian Wahlbeck ◽

Kaj Björkqvist ◽

Karin Österman

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Problem Gambling ◽

Health Factors ◽

Mental Health Factors ◽

Gambling Type

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Uncovering social-contextual and individual mental health factors associated with violence via computational inference

Patterns ◽

10.1016/j.patter.2020.100176 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 100176

Author(s):

Hernando Santamaría-García ◽

Sandra Baez ◽

Diego Mauricio Aponte-Canencio ◽

Guido Orlando Pasciarello ◽

Patricio Andrés Donnelly-Kehoe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Computational Inference ◽

Health Factors ◽

Mental Health Factors

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Correction to: Cumulative Burden of Mental Health Factors and Engagement in HIV Care in Argentina

International Journal of Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1007/s12529-021-09955-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Omar Sued ◽

Diego Cecchini ◽

John M. Abbamonte ◽

Violeta J. Rodriguez ◽

Lissa N. Mandell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Hiv Care ◽

Health Factors ◽

Engagement In Hiv Care ◽

Mental Health Factors

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Predicting recidivism for offenders in UK substance dependence treatment: do mental health symptoms matter?

Journal of Criminal Psychology ◽

10.1108/jcp-02-2014-0006 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 102-115 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Josefien J.F. Breedvelt ◽

Lucy V. Dean ◽

Gail Y. Jones ◽

Caroline Cole ◽

Hattie C.A. Moyes

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Substance Dependence ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Content Type ◽

Health Factors ◽

Substance Dependence Treatment ◽

One Year ◽

Mental Health Factors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess whether mental health symptoms affect one-year reoffending rates upon release from prison for participants engaging in substance dependence treatment in the UK. Design/methodology/approach – A retrospective cohort study was used to assess reconviction outcomes upon release. The Comprehensive Addiction and Psychological Evaluation (CAAPE) was administered to 667 inmates admitted to the programme. The effect of mental health, drug use, and static risk factors on reoffending was assessed at one-year post release. Findings – Logistic regression analysis showed that symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder at the start of substance dependence treatment increased the likelihood to reoffend, whilst Obsessive Compulsive Disorder symptoms and length of sentence decreased the likelihood to reoffend. Antisocial Personality Disorder symptoms show a trend towards increasing the likelihood to reoffend. In addition, previously established risk factors for reoffending, including dependence on heroin, crack/cocaine, and poly drug use significantly increased the likelihood of reconviction. Practical implications – Depressive symptomatology pre-treatment could affect reoffending outcomes for participants in substance dependence treatment in prison. An integrative approach addressing both substance misuse and mental health factors is pivotal. Future efforts to address both simultaneously can be made to improve assessment, training, treatment, and through care for prisoners in substance dependence treatment. Originality/value – Few studies have assessed the effect of mental health factors on reoffending outcomes for offenders in substance dependence treatment. A large sample was studied in an understudied population of UK prisoners in substance dependence treatment. The results have implications for clinical settings where mental health symptoms are not addressed concurrently with substance dependence. This finding can inform policy makers and practitioners who provide substance dependence treatment in prison.

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