Prevalence of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among young adults in rural Mwanza Region

Abstract

Introduction: HIV/AIDS is a global challenge which has been termed a development crisis as well as a health crisis. Risky sexual behavior in rural communities puts young adults into the risk of acquiring STIs/HIV. Hence, this study was determining prevalence of risky sexual behavior and its associated factors among young adults in rural Mwanza Region.

Methods: Cross sectional study was employed using secondary data. Total of 5644 young people from 10 comparison communities of MkV Intervention Trial who participated in MkV1FS in rural Mwanza Region were involved. Binary logistic regression model was used to determine the potential factors of risky sexual behavior adjusting for other confounding factors.

Results: The overall prevalence was 36%, while observed to be highly prevalent among men 57% compared to women 16%. The determinants for risky sexual behavior among young women were age above 20 years (OR=1.30, 95% CI: 0.98, 1.72), currently married (OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.94), formerly married (OR=5.20, 95% CI: 1.73, 15.65), secondary level (OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.68), having a job (OR=3.04, 95% CI: 1.92, 4.80), early sexual debut (OR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.41, 2.33), and positive attitude towards sex (OR=1.52, 95% CI: 0.76, 3.03). The determinants for risky sexual behavior among young men were age above 20 years (OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.26, 2.17), currently married (OR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.54), formerly married (OR=3.09, 95% CI: 1.66, 5.78), secondary level (OR=0.70, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.92), having a job (OR=3.32, 95% CI: 2.43, 4.53), early sexual (OR=3.34, 95% CI: 1.93, 5.78), short mobile (OR=1.34, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.64), and being from Sukuma ethnic (OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.72).

Conclusion: More than a quarter of the young people reported risky sexual behavior while more than a half of men reported risky sexual behavior. This may subject young people to risk of acquiring STIs/HIV. Hence, halting and reversing HIV and syphilis trends will be of challenge.