Association between Self-Reported Academic Performance and Risky Sexual Behavior among Ugandan University Students- A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Little is known about the association between self-reported academic performance and risky sexual behaviors and if this differs by gender, among university students. Academic performance can create psychological pressure in young students. Poor academic performance might thus potentially contribute to risky sexual behavior among university students. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between self-reported academic performance and risky sexual behaviors, and whether gender affects this relationship among Ugandan university students. In 2010, 1,954 students participated in a cross-sectional survey, conducted at Mbarara University of Science and Technology in southwestern Uganda (72% response rate). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for the analysis. 1,179 (60.3%) students in our study sample reported having debuted sexually. Of these 440 (42.2%) used condoms inconsistently with new sexual partners, and 344 (33.6%) had had multiple sexual partners. We found a statistically significant association between poor academic performance and inconsistent condom use with a new sex partner and this association remained significant even after adjusting for all the potential confounders. There was no such association detected regarding multiple sexual partners. We also found that gender modified the effect of poor academic performance on inconsistent condom use. Females, who were poor academic performers, were found to be at a higher risk of inconsistent condom use than their male counterparts. Interventions should be designed to provide extra support to poor academic performers, which may improve their performance and self-esteem, which in turn might reduce their risky sexual behaviors.

Risky sexual behavior and knowledge of STIs/AIDS among university health students

“…Based on the findings of this study, students have risky behaviors because they do not use a condom in all sexual relations. In this study, women report a greater use of condoms than men, both in all and in the last sexual intercourse, which contradicts the study of Mehra et al (2014), in which women have a higher prevalence (50%) of inconsistent use of condoms than men (37%; Falcão Júnior et al , 2007). There is also evidence of symmetry between men and women regarding the inconsistent use of condoms (Souza et al, 2011).…”

“…The existence of multiple sexual partners is also a risk factor for STIs. The percentages reach approximately 40% of young people (Mehra et al, 2014;Moghaddam et al, 2015). In this study, 8% of participants reported having between eight and 10 sexual partners.…”

“…Risky behaviors are related to: number of sexual partners, non-use of condom and/or contraceptive methods; sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs; and sexual intercourse with little or recently known person. These behaviors are associated with family and cultural variables, which influence the personality traits that are being developed (Campo-Arias et al, 2010;Falcão et al, 2007;Mehra, Kyagada, Ostergren, & Agardh, 2014;Santos & Oliveira, 2009). The individual component relates to individuals' knowledge on the issue, their ability to incorporate it in their daily concerns, beliefs, desires, religion, and the real possibility of transforming these concerns into actual practice.…”

A (des)educação contraceptiva dos jovens universitários

“…(5,15) Reflexos disso são os dados nacionais de 2014 em que se reporta uma diminuição do uso do preservativo e aumento de relações sexuais associadas ao consumo de drogas e álcool, sendo que aqueles que não utilizaram preservativo na 1ª relação sexual apontaram como motivos, em primeiro lugar "não pensaram nisso" (42%) e em segundo o "não tinha preservativos consigo" (31,8%), (5) o que remete nestes jovens para uma iniciação sexual de risco e impregnada de irresponsabilidade, em que está evidente o caráter espontâneo e não planejado dos relacionamentos sexuais entre os jovens, o que leva a que a maioria se inicie sexualmente de uma forma imprevista. (1,5) Apesar de a maioria ter referido a abordagem de conteúdos de sexualidade/contracepção em sala de aulas, (10,14) os estudantes se considerarem bem informados (13) e até referirem a utilização de métodos contraceptivos na primeira relação sexual, (4,10,13) não deixam depois de apresentar comportamentos sexuais de risco significativos, como os verificados no presente estudo pela não utilização sistemática de métodos contraceptivos, (1,4,11) relações sexuais ocasionais (10,16,17) e sob o efeito do consumo de álcool. (5,18) Também um estudo nacional, com grupo de intervenção e avaliação aos 36 meses, demonstrou que alguns resultados importantes, nomeadamente a existência de relações sexuais sob efeito do álcool e não uso de preservativo com parceiro ocasional, não só não melhoraram como sofreram um agravamento.…”

Hierarchical Multiple Regression Modelling on Predictors of Behavior and Sexual Practices at Takoradi Polytechnic, Ghana

“… Hueng et al (2005) observes that risk behavior increase with age even though knowledge increase with age. Mehra et al (2014) believes that there is an association between poor academic performance and inconsistent condom use with a new sex partner.…”