Risky HIV sexual behaviour and depression among University of Nairobi students
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2015
TITLE AUTHOR(S): C.J.Othieno, R.Okoth, K.Peltzer, S.Pengpid, L.O.Malla
KEYWORDS: HEALTH, HIV/AIDS, NAIROBI, RISK BEHAVIOUR, SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR, STUDENTS (COLLEGE)
DEPARTMENT: Public Health, Societies and Belonging (HSC)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 8980
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/1647
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/1647
If you would like to obtain a copy of this Research Output, please contact Hanlie Baudin at researchoutputs@hsrc.ac.za.
Abstract
Prevalence rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among the youth are disproportionately high compared to that of other age groups in Kenya. Poor mental health has been linked to risky HIV behaviour, yet few local studies have explored these aspects. This study sought to determine associations between HIV risky sexual behaviour and depression among undergraduate students at the University of Nairobi. A random sample of 923 (525 males and 365 females) undergraduate students was interviewed using a questionnaire to record sociodemographic variables and risky sexual behaviour including having multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use and engaging in sex after drinking. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Short Depression Scale (CES-D 10). The students' mean age was 23 years (s.d.4.0). Overall, 41.33% of the students scored above the cut-off point of 10 on the CES-D 10 scale, with 35.71% having moderate symptoms and 5.62% having severe depressive symptoms. The percentage of those who had ever been diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was 9.71% (males 8.65%; females 11.01%); and for HIV 3.04% (males 2.02%; females 4.05%). Nearly 30% reported having had multiple partners in the previous 12 months, 27.4% of the students did not use condoms with sexual partners and 21% had engaged in sex after drinking within the previous 3 months. In multivariable-bivariate logistic regression, being older, having depressive symptoms, alcohol use/binge drinking, tobacco use, sex after drinking, previous diagnosis of STI, physical abuse, sexual coercion and history of sexual abuse as a child were significantly associated with having multiple partners. Further, younger age, being female, tobacco use and previous diagnosis of STI were significantly associated with inconsistent condom use. The prevalence of HIV rate infection is low compared to the national average but risky sexual behaviour is common among the students and is positively linked to depressive symptoms among other factors. Programmes aimed at HIV prevention should be integrated with mental health interventions.-
Related Research Outputs:
- Sensation seeking and alcohol use predict HIV transmission risks: prospective study of sexually transmitted infection clinic patients, Cape Town, South Africa
- Health behaviour interventions in developing countries
- Mental health and HIV sexual risk behaviour among University of Limpopo students
- Comprehensive HIV prevention package for MSM in southern Africa: pilot study: the Sibanye Health Project
- Overview of the South African men's health monitoring study (SAMHMS)
- International collaborations on health, sexuality and HIV & AIDS
- Mental health correlates of HIV risk behaviour and STIs/HIV infection among university students from 22 low, middle and high income countries
- The forgotten fifty percent: a review of sexual and reproductive health research and programs focused on boys and young men in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Abstract: Determinants of the use of voluntary counselling and testing services among the sexually active adult population of South Africa
- Intimate partner violence as a factor associated with risky sexual behaviours and alcohol misuse among men
- Methamphetamine use and sexual risks for HIV infection in Cape Town, South Africa
- Disclosure of HIV status to sex partners and sexual risk behaviours amongh HIV-positive men and women, Cape Town, South Africa
- Alcohol use and sexual risks for HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review of empirical findings
- Generalizing a model of health behaviour change and AIDS stigma for use with sexually transmitted infection clinic patients in Cape Town, South Africa
- Behaviourial risks and HIV sero-status household survey in the Klerksdorp district of South Africa: a baseline study
- Alcohol expectations and risky drinking among men and women at high-risk for HIV infection in Cape Town, South Africa
- Recent multiple sexual partners and HIV transmission risks among people living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana
- Rapid appraisal of substance abuse and HIV awareness messages in poster communication to disadvantaged youth in South Africa
- Youth voices about sex and AIDS: implications for life skills education through the 'Learning Together' project in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Disclosure decisions and HIV transmission risk behaviour of HIV positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Cape Town, South Africa