Risky sexual behaviours among Ugandan university students: A pilot study exploring the role of adverse childhood experiences, substance use history, and family environment

Abstract

Background University students are known to have risky sexual behaviours (RSBs). The severity of the RSB is influenced by many factors, including the family environment, exposure to adverse childhood events (ACEs), and the use of addictive substances. However, there is limited information about the influence of ACEs and the family environment of these students in low-and medium-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, a pilot study was conducted among university students from a LMIC, Uganda. Methods The present study comprised a cross-sectional online survey among Ugandan students at a public university (N = 316; 75% male; 52.2% aged between 18–22 years). The survey included questions relating to socio-demographic information, family environmental information, the Sexual Risk Survey (SRS), and the Adverse Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ). Results Over half (53.8%) reported having had sexual intercourse. Males reported over two times higher mean total SRS score compared to females (χ2 = 4.06, p = 0.044). Approximately one-sixth of the sample had drunk alcohol or used illicit psychoactive substances in the past six months (16.1%). Among four regression analysis models, sociodemographic variables predicted the highest variance (13%), followed by family environment variables (10%), and both psychoactive substance use history (past six months) and ACEs individually explained approximately 5% variance in total SRS score, with the final model predicting 33% of the variance in RSB. Conclusions The present study demonstrated a gender disparity with males involved in more RSB than females, as has been reported in most previous RSB studies. Family environment, sociodemographic factors, substance use, and ACEs all appear to contribute to RSB among university students. These findings will benefit other researchers exploring factors associated with RSB among university students and will help develop interventions to reduce RSB to protect students from unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV/AIDS.

Risky Sexual Behavior and its Determinants among Undergraduate Hostellers of Kathmandu Metropolitan City

“…11, 20 Globally, studies have reported higher proportion of RSB among males as compared to females. 17, 18, 25 It has been noted that males tend to report higher sexual exposure than females, 15 similar observation was also made in this study. These difference of risky sexual behavior across gender could be attributed to many factors such as social desirability biases and sexual double standards such as women are expected to be virgin till marriage, and male’s masculinity is associated with sex.…”

“…11,20 Globally, studies have reported higher proportion of RSB among males as compared to females. 17,18,25 It has been noted that males tend to report higher sexual exposure than females, 15 similar observation was also made in this study.…”

“…Studies have stated that family environment and parental education could play a significant role in influencing sexual behavior in later life. 20, 25 These observations suggest that addressing gender-specific social norms and enhancing parental education may prove effective in mitigating RSB among youth.…”

“…16 This finding aligns with several past cross-sectional studies that have explored the complex relationship between age and sexual behavior and observed that age may play a crucial role in influencing individuals' likelihood of engaging in RSB. 18,20,24,25 A plausible explanation for this association could be that the students of higher age may be more inclined to be involved in relationships, exhibit greater confidence in making independent decisions, and enjoy improved financial options compared to their younger students.…”

Prevalence of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among Injibara University students, Northwest Ethiopia

“…In this study, respondents who consume substances such as smoking cigarette or chewing chat or consume hashish were approximately 3.5 times more likely to practice risky sexual behaviors than their counterparts. This was again supported by studies conducted among students at Madawalabu University ( 37 ), Bahir-Dar University ( 36 ), Debre Markos University ( 34 ), Uganda ( 49 ), Debre-Tabor University ( 31 ), and studies in nine Asian Countries ( 50 ). Usually, substance use and risky sexual behavior go hand in hand ( 51 ).…”