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Attitudes, Norms and Self-Efficacy: Examining Socio-Cognitive Correlates and Sexual Abstinence Among Ugandan Youth Ages 16–18 years, in the Slums of Kampala, Uganda

DOI:10.1007/s12119-021-09844-7
Authors:
Malikah Waajid
Malikah Waajid
Malikah Waajid
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Monica H Swahn at Kennesaw State University
Monica H Swahn
Laura F Salazar at Georgia State University
Laura F Salazar
Kim Ramsey-White at Georgia State University
Kim Ramsey-White
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Abstract

Sex-related beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions have been shown to be associated with HIV-related behaviors. However, little is known about the factors associated with delayed sexual activity among older adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined potentially protective beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions associated with delayed sexual initiation among Ugandan youth. Secondary analyses were based on data from the 2014 Kampala Youth Survey, in which 1137 youth aged 12–18, living in 6 slum communities throughout Kampala, Uganda, were surveyed about sociodemographic factors and various health outcomes including drinking patterns, sexual behavior, HIV status, and violence exposure. Participants were recruited, consented, and interviewed by trained by Uganda Youth Development Link staff. After controlling for significant sociodemographic factors, older adolescent (aged 15–18 years old, n = 757, males = 44%, female 56%) sexual abstainers (never had sexual intercourse) were more likely than sexually active youth to (1) perceive HIV as a serious health issue; (2) have positive perceptions of condom use; (3) believe that their friends planned to delay sex and; (4) be confident in their ability to avoid or refuse sex. Sexual abstinence was also associated with lower odds of reporting drunkenness. Study findings revealed that abstainers held more protective beliefs and attitudes for HIV-related risk, compared to sexually active youth. Identifying predictors for early sexual activity provides opportunities for the development of HIV prevention strategies that encourage the delay of sexual debut.
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Vol.:(0123456789)
Sexuality & Culture (2021) 25:1707–1725
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-021-09844-7
1 3
ORIGINAL PAPER
Attitudes, Norms andSelf‑Efficacy: Examining
Socio‑Cognitive Correlates andSexual Abstinence Among
Ugandan Youth Ages 16–18years, intheSlums ofKampala,
Uganda
MalikahWaajid1· MonicaH.Swahn1 · LauraSalazar1· KimRamsey‑White1·
RogersKasirye2
Accepted: 2 March 2021 / Published online: 25 March 2021
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
2021
Abstract
Sex-related beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions have been shown to be associated with
HIV-related behaviors. However, little is known about the factors associated with
delayed sexual activity among older adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. This study
examined potentially protective beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions associated with
delayed sexual initiation among Ugandan youth. Secondary analyses were based on
data from the 2014 Kampala Youth Survey, in which 1137 youth aged 12–18, living
in 6 slum communities throughout Kampala, Uganda, were surveyed about sociode-
mographic factors and various health outcomes including drinking patterns, sexual
behavior, HIV status, and violence exposure. Participants were recruited, consented,
and interviewed by trained by Uganda Youth Development Link staff. After control-
ling for significant sociodemographic factors, older adolescent (aged 15–18years
old, n = 757, males = 44%, female 56%) sexual abstainers (never had sexual inter-
course) were more likely than sexually active youth to (1) perceive HIV as a seri-
ous health issue; (2) have positive perceptions of condom use; (3) believe that their
friends planned to delay sex and; (4) be confident in their ability to avoid or refuse
sex. Sexual abstinence was also associated with lower odds of reporting drunken-
ness. Study findings revealed that abstainers held more protective beliefs and atti-
tudes for HIV-related risk, compared to sexually active youth. Identifying predictors
for early sexual activity provides opportunities for the development of HIV preven-
tion strategies that encourage the delay of sexual debut.
Keywords Adolescence· Alcohol· Sexual activity· Abstinence· Protective factors·
Uganda
* Monica H. Swahn
mswahn@gsu.edu; mswahn@kennesaw.edu
Extended author information available on the last page of the article
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.
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