Abstract
Background
Little focus has been paid to the role of mental health among young people with regard to risky sexual behavior and HIV prevention
in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between poor mental health and risky sexual
behavior (HIV/AIDS) among a population of university students in Uganda.
in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between poor mental health and risky sexual
behavior (HIV/AIDS) among a population of university students in Uganda.
Methods
In 2005, 980 Ugandan university students completed a self-administered questionnaire (response rate 80%) assessing sociodemographic
and religious background factors, mental health, alcohol use, and sexual behavior. Mental health was assessed using items
from the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 and the Symptom Checklist-90.
and religious background factors, mental health, alcohol use, and sexual behavior. Mental health was assessed using items
from the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 and the Symptom Checklist-90.
Results
High scores on depression and high numbers of sexual partners among both males (odds ratio (OR) 2.0, 95% confidence interval
(CI) 1.2–3.3) and females (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.3–8.6) were significantly associated. Elevated anxiety scores among men were associated
with high numbers of sexual partners (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.3) and inconsistent condom use (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.6). Psychoticism
was also significantly associated with high numbers of sexual partners among men. The associations remained statistically
significant after controlling for sociodemographic factors and level of alcohol consumption.
(CI) 1.2–3.3) and females (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.3–8.6) were significantly associated. Elevated anxiety scores among men were associated
with high numbers of sexual partners (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.3) and inconsistent condom use (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.6). Psychoticism
was also significantly associated with high numbers of sexual partners among men. The associations remained statistically
significant after controlling for sociodemographic factors and level of alcohol consumption.
Conclusion
These findings indicate that previous conclusions on the association between sexual behavior and mental health from high-
and middle-income countries also are valid in a low-income setting, such as in Uganda. This knowledge has implications for
policy formation and HIV/AIDS preventive strategies. Coordinated youth-friendly mental health and sexual and reproductive
health services to meet the needs of young people would be desirable.
and middle-income countries also are valid in a low-income setting, such as in Uganda. This knowledge has implications for
policy formation and HIV/AIDS preventive strategies. Coordinated youth-friendly mental health and sexual and reproductive
health services to meet the needs of young people would be desirable.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s12529-011-9159-4
- Authors
- Anette Agardh, Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, CRC, Entrance 72, Malmö University Hospital, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
- Elizabeth Cantor-Graae, Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, CRC, Entrance 72, Malmö University Hospital, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
- Per-Olof Östergren, Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, CRC, Entrance 72, Malmö University Hospital, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
- Journal International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1532-7558
- Print ISSN 1070-5503