Factors Associated With Risky Sexual Behaviour Amongst Students at a Training College in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Background: Globally students who attend colleges indulge in risky sexual practices which in turn expose them to sexually transmitted infections. Risky sexual practices such as multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex, and transactional sex continue to pose risks of sexual transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy as well as increased termination of pregnancy amongst young people. Engaging in risky sexual behaviour is associated with various factors. Therefore, the reported study was aimed at describing the factors associated with risky sexual behaviour amongst students at a training college in South Africa. Methods: The study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive design to describe factors associated with risky sexual behaviour amongst students. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire among 307 students who were random sampled. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0 was used to analyse data. Results: Among the respondents, 70,7% were females and 29.3% were males. Majority of the respondents 51.2% were staying at a rental place and about 49% were depending on the National Financial Aids Scheme (NSFAS). Staying at alone at a rental place and depending on the NSFAS is associated to engaging in risky sexual behaviours. Conclusions: Environmental factors and socio-economic factors contribute to risky sexual behaviours among students at a training college in Limpopo. Intervention to address the contributing factors should be implemented to curb the burden of engaging in risky sexual behaviours.

High level risky sexual behavior among persons living with HIV in the urban setting of the highest HIV prevalent areas in Ethiopia: Implications for interventions

Introduction Data on the sexual behavior among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) dwelling at HIV prevalent setting located at the periphery of Ethiopia is lacking. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate sexual practice of patients following their antiretroviral therapy (ART) service and factors affecting their behavior. Materials and methods A facility based cross-sectional study design was employed to assess risky sexual practice and associated factors among HIV positive adults attending ART clinics in Gambella town, Southwest Ethiopia. Risky sexual practice is defined as a custom of getting in at least one of the following practices such as condom-unprotected sex with any partner, having two or more sexual partners and practicing casual sex in the last three months. A total of 352 randomly selected clients were interviewed by using a structured questionnaire. The multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine the association between covariates and the outcome variable. Results Majority of the study participants were engaged at least in one of the risky sexual practices (79.8% confidence interval (CI): 75.3% - 83.9%). The multivariable analysis found that the odds of risky sexual practice were higher among individuals who use substances (‘khat’ users (AOR: 3.82, 95%CI:1.30–11.22), smoke cigarette (AOR:4.90, 95%CI:1.19–12.60), consume alcohol (AOR: 2.59, 95%CI:1.28–5.21)); those who never discuss about safe sex with their partner/s (AOR: 2.21, 95%CI:1.16–4.21); those who have been in attachment for longer duration (more than four years) with their partner (AOR: 3.56, 95%CI: 1.32–9.62); and groups who desire to bear children in their future life (AOR: 3.15, 95%CI:1.40–7.04) as compared to their respective comparison groups. Conclusions A significant number of participants were engaged at least in one of the risky sexual practices which potentially result in super infection by a new or/and drug resistant viral strain/s, and onward transmission of the virus. Thus, an HIV intervention program which focuses on the identified factors has to be implemented to mitigate risk of unsafe sexual behavior of this population group and move towards ending the HIV/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic.

A Review of Parental Role on Risky Sexual Behaviour of Adolescents

Adolescence is a phase in human life which is characterized as the growing desire for sexual intercourse. Furthermore, the lack of knowledge on sexual health during this phase may result in risky sexual practices. So, parental monitoring is essential for this group of people. On this basis, I have conducted a review on parental monitoring of risky sexual behaviour of adolescents. While reviewing, accessible and eligible resources are consulted from PubMed, Hinari, Research Gate, etc up to November 2018. This review primarily focuses on how the parents monitor the probable risky sexual practices of their adolescent children. On the basis of existing literature, this review attempts to explore the growing risky practices of sexual behaviour among children without parental guidance.

Early sexual initiation and risky sexual practices among alcohol- and tobacco-using young adults in Taiwan: mediation analysis of preceding-sex use of illicit drugs

Background As early sexual initiation is increasingly common in East Asia, we examined its relations to risky sexual practices in alcohol- and tobacco-using individuals in Taiwan and evaluated whether the associations were mediated through preceding-sex use of illicit drugs. Methods Participants, recruited from alcohol- and tobacco-using adults aged 18 to 50 in Taipei through respondent-driven sampling (N = 1115), completed a computer-assisted self-interview covering questions on substance use and sexual experiences. In a subsample of 916 participants who had had sexual experience (median age 27), we examined the relations of early sexual initiation (< 16 years) to multiple sexual partners, casual sex, group sex, and rare condom use. Causal mediation analyses were conducted to examine whether illicit drug use preceding sex mediated these associations. Results Around 9.3% reported early sexual initiation and the prevalence of risky sexual practices ranged from 7% (group sex) to 47% (rare condom use). Early initiators had a higher prevalence of regular binge drinking, illicit drug use, and risky sexual practices. In the multivariable analyses, higher odds of multiple sexual partners, casual sex, and group sex were consistently associated with early sexual initiation, gender, and their interaction. Mediation through preceding-sex use of illicit drugs was found between early sexual initiation and the three risky sexual practices, with the proportions mediated ranging from 17 to 19%. Conclusions Early sexual initiators were more likely to engage in risky sexual practices and preceding-sex use of illicit drugs partially explained this relationship, calling for more attention to this population’s sexual health.

Social Media and Risky Sexual Practices among Undergraduate Students in a Private University in Southern Nigeria

Background: Social networking has become integral to the intellectual, emotional and social lives of the young. The often-unrestricted access to sexually explicit content on the social media and associated adverse sexual health among this group, constitute key outcomes in public health research. Aim: To determine social media use and the effect on sexual practices among undergraduate students in a private university in Southern Nigeria. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional survey among 300 undergraduate students of Madonna University Nigeria, Elele campus, was conducted between June and November, 2019. Respondents were selected using multistage sampling technique. Data were obtained using self-administered semi-structured questionnaires. Data analysis employed statistical package for social sciences version 22.0. Chi-square test was used to determine statistically significant associations between variables at p values < 0.05. Results: Out of a sample size of 300, all were returned and analysed, giving a response rate of 100%, and a mean age of 21.85+ 2.63years. The awareness of social media was 97.9%, with commonest 237 (79%) from friends/peers. The reasons cited for its use include: 208 (72.7%) access to news, 182(63.6%) academics, while 173 (60.5%) accessed social media for sexually explicit content. The mean age at sexual debut was 17.44 + 2.63 years. There were associations between use of social media for sexually explicit content and [the sexually active (p=0.000); type of sexual acts practised (p=0.003) and number of sexual partnerships (p=0.000)] respectively. Conclusion: This study found an association between use of social media for sexually explicit content and risky sexual practices. No association was found between ever had sexual act and gender. We recommend behaviour-change interventions that control social media use for sexually explicit content and not compromise access to sexual health education among them.

Cocaine use in university students: relationships with demographics, mental health, risky sexual practices, and trait impulsivity

Background. Cocaine is increasingly used on a recreational basis by the general population with potential implications for mental health. The aim of this study was to assess how common cocaine use is, and its mental health associations, in a large sample of university students. Methods. Approximately 10 000 university students were invited to take part in an online survey, which assessed the use of cocaine (ever or past year), alcohol and drug use, mental health issues, and impulsive and compulsive tendencies. Group differences in demographic and clinical characteristics were characterized. Results. A total of 3520 university students (57.7% female) completed the survey. Of these, 110 students (3.1%) reported using cocaine in the preceding year, and a further 163 students (4.6%) reported historical use more than a year ago. Cocaine use was associated with more years as a student, lower grade point averages, more use of other drugs, riskier sexual practices, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, treatment for psychological/emotional problems (including taking prescribed medication), and trait impulsivity. Of these associations, the link with trait impulsivity had the largest effect size. Conclusion. History of cocaine use appears relatively common in university students; and has a number of untoward associations in terms of mental health, use of other substances, and risky sexual practices. The most marked finding (in terms of effect size) was the link between cocaine use and trait impulsivity, supporting the importance of this construct in seeking out candidate vulnerability markers for use of cocaine and other drugs. Future work should use longitudinal designs to further characterize the nature of these associations.

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision and Sexual Practices among Sexually Active Circumcised Men in Mzuzu, Malawi: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is one of the strategies being promoted to prevent sexual heterosexual transmission of HIV. It has been adopted by 14 countries with high HIV prevalence and low circumcision rates. The 60% protective efficacy of VMMC has come with misconceptions in some societies in Malawi, hence VMMC clients may opt for risky sexual practices owing to its perceived protective effect. The study estimated proportion of circumcised men engaging in risky sexual behaviors post-VMMC, assessed knowledge on VMMC protective effect and identified socio-demographic factors associated with risky sexual practices.Method: A cross sectional study was conducted at two sites of Mzuzu city. Systematic random sampling was used to select 322 participants aged 18-49 who had undergone VMMC. The independent variables included age, location, occupation, religion, marital status and education. Outcome variables were non condom use, having multiple sexual partners and engaging in transactional sex. Data from questionnaires was analyzed using Pearson’s chi square test and logistic regression. Results: Out of 322 respondents, 84.8% (273) understood the partial protection offered by VMMC in HIV prevention. Ninety-six percent of the participants self-reported continued use of condoms post VMMC. Overall 23.7% - 38.3% participants self-reported engaging in risky sexual practices post VMMC, 23.7% (76) had more than one sexual partner; 29.2% (94) paid for sex while 39.9% (n=187) did not use a condom. Residing in high density areas was associated with non-condom use, (p = 0.043). Being single (p <0.001), and residing in low density areas (p = 0.004) was associated with engaging in transactional sex. Conclusion: Risky sexual practices are evident among participants that have undergone VMMC. Messages on safer sexual practices and limitations of VMMC need to be emphasized to clients, especially unmarried or single and those residing in low density areas.

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision and Sexual Practices among Sexually Active Circumcised Men in Mzuzu, Malawi: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is one of the strategies being promoted to prevent sexual heterosexual transmission of HIV. It has been adopted by 14 countries with high HIV prevalence and low circumcision rates. The 60% protective efficacy of VMMC has come with misconceptions in some societies in Malawi, hence VMMC clients may opt for risky sexual practices owing to its perceived protective effect. The study estimated proportion of circumcised men engaging in risky sexual behaviors post-VMMC, assessed knowledge on VMMC protective effect and identified socio-demographic factors associated with risky sexual practices. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted at two sites of Mzuzu city. Systematic random sampling was used to select 322 participants aged 18-49 who had undergone VMMC. The independent variables included age, location, occupation, religion, marital status and education. Outcome variables were non condom use, having multiple sexual partners and engaging in transactional sex. Data from questionnaires was analyzed using Pearson’s chi square test and logistic regression. Results: Out of 322 respondents, 84.8% (273) understood the partial protection offered by VMMC in HIV prevention. Ninety-six percent of the participants self-reported continued use of condoms post VMMC. Overall 23.7% - 38.3% participants self-reported engaging in risky sexual practices post VMMC, 23.7% (76) had more than one sexual partner; 29.2% (94) paid for sex while 39.9% (n=187) did not use a condom. Residing in high density areas was associated with non-condom use, (p = 0.043). Being single (p <0.001), and residing in low density areas (p = 0.004) was associated with engaging in transactional sex. Conclusion: Risky sexual practices are evident among participants that have undergone VMMC. Messages on safer sexual practices and limitations of VMMC need to be emphasized to clients, especially unmarried or single and those residing in low density areas.

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision and Sexual Practices among Sexually Active Circumcised Men in Mzuzu, Malawi: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is one of the strategies being promoted to prevent sexual heterosexual transmission of HIV. It has been adopted by 14 countries with high HIV prevalence and low circumcision rates. The 60% protective efficacy of VMMC has come with misconceptions in some societies in Malawi, hence VMMC clients may opt for risky sexual practices owing to its perceived protective effect. The study estimated proportion of circumcised men engaging in risky sexual behaviors post-VMMC, assessed knowledge on VMMC protective effect and identified socio-demographic factors associated with risky sexual practices. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted at two sites of Mzuzu city. Systematic random sampling was used to select 322 participants aged 18-49 who had undergone VMMC. The independent variables included age, location, occupation, religion, marital status and education. Outcome variables were non condom use, having multiple sexual partners and engaging in transactional sex. Data from questionnaires was analyzed using Pearson’s chi square test and logistic regression. Results: Out of 322 respondents, 84.8% (273) understood the partial protection offered by VMMC in HIV prevention. Ninety-six percent of the participants self-reported continued use of condoms post VMMC. Overall 23.7% - 38.3% participants self-reported engaging in risky sexual practices post VMMC, 23.7% (76) had more than one sexual partner; 29.2% (94) paid for sex while 39.9% (n=187) did not use a condom. Residing in high density areas was associated with non-condom use, (p = 0.043). Being single (p <0.001), and residing in low density areas (p = 0.004) was associated with engaging in transactional sex. Conclusion: Risky sexual practices are evident among participants that have undergone VMMC. Messages on safer sexual practices and limitations of VMMC need to be emphasized to clients, especially unmarried or single and those residing in low density areas.

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision and Sexual Practices among Sexually Active Circumcised Men in Mzuzu, Malawi: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is one of the strategies being promoted to prevent sexual heterosexual transmission of HIV. It has been adopted by 14 countries with high HIV prevalence and low circumcision rates. The 60% protective efficacy of VMMC has come with misconceptions in some societies in Malawi, hence VMMC clients may opt for risky sexual practices owing to its perceived protective effect. The study estimated proportion of circumcised men engaging in risky sexual behaviors post-VMMC, assessed knowledge on VMMC protective effect and identified socio-demographic factors associated with risky sexual practices. Method A cross sectional study was conducted at two sites of Mzuzu city. Systematic random sampling was used to select 322 clients aged 18-49 who had undergone VMMC. The independent variables included age, location, occupation, religion, marital status and education. Outcome variables were non condom use, having multiple sexual partners and engaging in transactional sex. Data from questionnaires was analyzed using Pearson’s chi square test and logistic regression. Results Out of 322 respondents, 84.8% (273) understood the partial protection offered by VMMC in HIV prevention. Ninety-six percent of the participants self-reported continued use of condoms post VMMC. Overall 23.7% - 38.3% clients self-reported engaging in risky sexual practices post VMMC, 23.7% (76) had more than one sexual partner; 29.2% (94) paid for sex while 39.9% (n=187) did not use a condom. Residing in high density areas was associated with non-condom use, (p = 0.043). Being single (p <0.0001), and residing in low density areas (p = 0.004) was associated with engaging in transactional sex. Conclusion Risky sexual practices are evident among clients that have undergone VMMC. Messages on safer sexual practices and limitations of VMMC need to be emphasized to clients, especially unmarried or single and those residing in low density areas.