Is Poverty a Driver for Risky Sexual Behaviour? Evidence from National Surveys of Adolescents in Four African Countries

Abstract

This paper contributes to conflicting evidence on the link between poverty and risky sexual behaviour by examining the effect of wealth status on age at first sex, condom use, and multiple partners using nationally representative adolescents' data from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi, and Uganda. The results show that the wealthiest girls in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Malawi had later sexual debut compared with their poorer counterparts but this association was not significant for Uganda. Wealth status was weaker among males and significant only in Malawi, where those in the middle quintile had earlier sexual debut. Wealthier adolescents were most likely to use condoms at the last sexual act, but wealth status was not associated with number of sexual partners. Although the link between wealth status and sexual behaviour is not consistent, there is evidence that poor females are vulnerable to infection because of earlier sexual debut and non-use of condoms. (Afr J Reprod Health 2007; 11[3]:83-98) RÉSUMÉ Est-ce que la pauvreté est un moteur des comportements sexuels risqués? Evidence tirée de l'enquête nationale sur les adolescents dans quatre pays africains. Cet article contribue à l'évidence contradictoire sur le lien entre la pauvreté et le comportement sexuel risqué tout en examinant l'effet que la situation de richesse a sur l'âge au moment du premier acte sexuel, l'emploi du préservatif et les partenaires multiples; ceci à l'aide des données à représentation nationale auprès des adolescents au Burkina-Faso, au Ghana, au Malawi et en Ouganda. Les résultats ont montré que les filles les plus riches au Burkina-Faso, au Ghana et au Malawi ont eu leur premier acte sexuel plus tard par rapport à leur homologues moins riches, mais ce rapport n'était pas significatif pour l'Ougnada. La situation de richesse était plus faible chez les mâles et elle était significative seulement au Malawi où ceux de richesse moyenne ont eu un premier acte sexuel plus tôt. Les adolescents les plus riches avaient plus la possibilité d'utiliser le préservatif au cours du dernier acte sexuel, mais la situation de richesse n'était pas liée au nombre de partenaires sexuels. Bien que le lien entre la situation de richesse et le comportement sexuel ne soit pas coherent, il y a l'évidence que les femelles pauvres sont vulnérables à l'infection à cause d'un début sexuel antérieur et le non emploi des préservatifs. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2007; 11[3]:83-98).

Assessing livelihood status of migrants from northern Ghana resident in the Obuasi Municipality

“…Although income as an indicator for measuring socioeconomic status is associated with some inaccuracies such as reporting biases, seasonal nature of incomes in agricultural economies and rapid inflation it is often used to assess socio-economic or wealth status (Ghana Statistical Service 2000Doocy and Burnham 2006;Madise et al 2007;Vyas and Kumaranayake 2008). The total sample size of 299 (both migrants and indigenes) was ranked into five quintiles on the basis of total monthly household income as reported by the respondents (Gwatkin et al 2000).…”

Protected or Unprotected Sex: The Conceptions and Attitudes of the Youth in Bolgatanga Municipality, Ghana

“…The qualitative interviews with young people and adults in the present study-which revealed young peoples' feelings, fears, shyness, and dilemmas regarding protected and unprotected sex, condom use, and premarital sexual abstinence-contribute to a better understanding of their premarital sexual behavior. Understanding the influencing factors that motivate young males and females to have protected or unprotected sex, and understanding these factors in specific contexts, can contribute to the development of more tailored and effective SRH education to protect young people from the adverse consequences of engaging in unprotected sex (Darteh et al 2014;Karim et al 2003;Madise et al 2007). …”

“…This insight could contribute to the development of more tailored and effective sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programs to protect young males and females from the adverse consequences of having sex without contraceptive methods (Darteh et al 2014;Karim et al 2003;AwusaboAsare and Annim 2008;Madise et al 2007).…”

Residential Density, Parents’ Sexual Activity and Teenage Sexual Behavior in Yogyakarta

“…Results of the study in Nairobi showed that people in slum area started to commit sexual intercourse at the earlier age had more sexual partners and be less active to determine or take preventive ways from HIV/AIDS transmission. 6,22 …”