Marseille 2007
Marseille 2007
Abstract book
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Abstract #47  -  Peers, pressure and pleasure: university lifestyle exposing students to HIV/AIDS
Session:
  23.1: Sex and Risk (Parallel) on Monday @ 16.30-18.30 in CP Chaired by Ulrike Sonnenberg Schwan, Marc-Eric Gruenais
Authors:
  Presenting Author:   Mrs Barbara Nyanzi-Wakholi - Medical Research Council, Uganda
 
  Additional Authors:  Dr  Micheal Mawa, Dr  Antonieta Lara Medina,  
Aim:
This exploratory study was conducted amongst Ugandan university students to investigate their sexual attitudes, knowledge and behaviour. Students joining tertiary institutions in Uganda inherit independence, trendy lifestyles and peer-pressure, which increase their likelihood of exposure to HIV/AIDS.
 
Method / Issue:
A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 224 students (Males=132, Females=92) at Nkumba University. The data collected was word-processed and analysed using Microsoft Access 2000.
 
Results / Comments:
While abstinence was ranked the safest way to avoid HIV, 84% of the students were already sexually active and 69.2% of the students had a sexual partner at the time of the survey. Acquiring new sexual partners was described common at the intake of new students. 46.9% (n = 105) of those that had ever had sex, had their sexual debut at >18 years of age implying sexual activity for a significant sector of this population began after joining university. 20.5% (n = 27) males and 21.7% (n = 20) females reported having their first partner older than them. All these female and five of these males reported that these first partners were five or more years older than them suggesting the existence of the sugar-daddy and sugar mummy phenomenon in which a rich older person uses his/her wealth to lure those young than him into sex. This phenomenon has been listed among the key HIV vector among the young people in Sub Saharan Africa. Items exchanged in relationships ranged from perishable goods (edibles) to material items including jewelry, clothing and highly priced items such as mobile phones. 36.9% of those that were sexually active reported non or occasional condom use. Resentful attitudes surrounded condoms including; condom use being a sign of distrust of partner, lack of commitment to the relationship, and only promiscuous females initiate condom use. Although parents were reported the main source of HIV/AIDS information, peers were singled out as the preferred source of sexual health counsel. The reading and watching of pornography were reported as leisure activities. The increase in level of watching pornographic films was associated to an increase in number of sexual partners.
 
Discussion:
Abstinence as an HIV preventive measure may not be effective among this population whose culture encourages the initiation and/or increase of sexual activity, thus the need to equip this population with gender tailored safer sex negotiation skills. Conversely, the finding that a significant number had their the sexual debut after joining university could support the promotion of abstinence in the pre-university age groups. Prevention knowledge doesnt necessarily affect attitude and behavior. Anti HIV/AIDS efforts should be tailored to suit the different population categories and address the risk fueling factors unique to them. Peers can be harnessed to serve as effective HIV/AIDS educators and counsellors in similar institutions.
 
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