Sexual risk associated with gambling among the youth in Rubaga Division, Kampala

Abstract

Summary The status of sexual and reproductive health of youths and adolescents in urban areas across the globe is alarming. Evidence from Uganda Aids Indicator Survey 2011 indicates that over 31% youths who have never married are engaged in sexual intercourse but have never tested for HIV. Gambling is clearly on the increase in major towns and cities drawing in several youths. However, the risk that this practice poses on the youth's sexual behavior has not been investigated in Uganda. This study intended to fill this gap. This study examined the sexual risk associated with gambling among youths in Rubaga Division of Kampala Capital City of Uganda. The study employed a quantitative cross sectional design to survey 397 youths aged 15 to 24 years. It employed a systematic sampling scheme in selecting households with youths who responded to the household survey questionnaire. Results showed that more male than female youths are engaged in gambling, majority of whom start gambling below 18 years. Most of the gambling youths are pulled by competition with peers and desire to earn money. Compared with nongambling youths, gambling youths have more sexual encounters, initiate sexual activity at a young age, have unprotected sex, have sex with more than one partner whom they do not know their HIV status, and have sex under the influence of alcohol. The study recommends for government to form and enforce policies to regulate gambling with a view of minimizing its associated risks especially unsafe sex. Through the ministry of health and civil society organizations, government can create programs to reach the gambling youths with sexual reproductive health services.

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“…According to a study in Uganda, 62% of youth gambled, and gamblers were more male than female. The findings from the current study also found that male adolescents gamble more than female adolescents [ 45 ]. A systematic review of national studies published in 2014 reported that the prevalence of problem gambling in North America was in the range of 2.1% to 2.6%, and in Oceania from 0.2% to 4.4%.…”

“…Additionally, studies may differ significantly based on inclusion criteria and target populations. These methodological discrepancies have led to outcomes that vary greatly from country to country or between different studies in the same country [ 45 ]. The vast majority of adolescents who gamble consider themselves prone to problem behaviors, and they may not see a link between gambling and health risk, particularly RSB.…”

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“…Also, similar issues have started to occur among neighbors to EAC countries, such as Malawi, where the odds ratios of alcohol and substance abuse, involvement in physical fights, theft, and vandalism were 4.17, 2.26, 3.26, and 3.96 times higher among gamblers, respectively [ 12 ]. In Uganda, evidence suggests that problem gambling is associated with mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and suicidality [ 13 ]. Another study in Uganda reported 21 cases of suicide among university students, five of which were gambling-related [ 14 ].…”

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“…Additionally, studies may differ signi cantly based on inclusion criteria and target populations. These methodological concerns have led to outcomes that vary greatly from country to country or between different studies in the same country [50]. The vast majority of adolescence who gamble consider themselves prone to problem behaviors, and they may not see a link between gambling and health risk, particularly RSB.…”

“…However, this uncertainty makes gambling addicts prone to anger and irrational outbursts. These mood disorders also make gamblers more vulnerable to unprotected sex and sex with multiple sex partners, or even exchanging sex for cash or inkind compensation if gambling debt becomes too onerous [50].…”