Factors associated with health seeking behaviour for STD among adolescents (ages 10-19 years) in Uganda

Abstract

The overall objective of this study was to investigate factors associated with STD health seeking behavior among adolescents aged 10-19 in Uganda. The study was premised on the fact that Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are highly prevalent among the population in Uganda and present a heavy disease burden among adolescents as several studies have confirmed. This study was based on the analysis of secondary data from the 2005 Straight Talk Evaluation Survey together with the Population Council and Horizons. A sample of 259 sexually active adolescents were selected from the main dataset. In addition to the univariate and bivariate analysis, the logistic regression was used at multivariate analysis level to establish the likelihood of seeking STD services on the potential explanatory variables. It was established that a quarter of the adolescents had sought STD services from health facilities. The findings revealed that age, residence, schooling status, family structure, exposure to mass media and attitudes towards premarital sex were significant in their relationship with STD health seeking behavior. It is recommended that, there is need for interventions by government with support from Civil Society Organizations, which are age specific, using an adolescent targeted media campaign and other behaviour change communication channels. They should as well be cognizant of the kind of family structures that adolescents live in and their inherent attitudes towards premarital sex. The issue of STD service access to adolescents in school should also be specifically addressed.