Mental Health and Sexual Risk Behaviors in Uganda
Author Information
Author(s): Patric Lundberg, Godfrey Rukundo, Schola Ashaba, Anna Thorson, Peter Allebeck, Per-Olof Östergren, Elizabeth Cantor-Graae
Primary Institution: Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Lund University, Malmö, Sweden; Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
Hypothesis
Is poor mental health associated with sexual risk behaviours in sub-Saharan Africa?
Conclusion
Poor mental health is associated with sexual risk behaviours in a low-income sub-Saharan African setting.
Supporting Evidence
- Depression was associated with a greater number of lifetime partners among women.
- Psychological distress was associated with inconsistent condom use among men.
- Alcohol use was associated with a greater number of lifetime partners in both men and women.
Takeaway
If someone feels sad or drinks a lot, they might make risky choices about sex, like having many partners or not using condoms.
Methodology
Cross-sectional population-based study using household sampling in two Ugandan districts.
Potential Biases
Responses may be subject to social desirability bias regarding sexual behaviors.
Limitations
The study is cross-sectional, which limits causal inferences, and the sampling method was not random.
Participant Demographics
Men and women aged 18-30 years from urban, semi-urban, and rural areas in Uganda.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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