Determinants of Unprotected Casual Heterosexual Sex in Ghana

Abstract

Casual heterosexual sex remains a significant contributor to HIV transmissions in Ghana. The study used data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) to assess the socio-demographic, economic and spatial factors influencing unprotected casual heterosexual sex among men and women. The results of the binary logistic regression models revealed that women aged 35-44 had significantly higher odds of engaging in unprotected casual heterosexual sex than those aged 15-24, unlike the men. There were significantly lower odds of unprotected casual heterosexual sex for women and men with exposure to print media compared with those without exposure. Compared with men residing in the Western Region, unprotected casual heterosexual sex was significantly less likely among those in the Upper East Region. There is the need for behavioural change campaigns in Ghana that take into consideration the multiplicity of factors that determine unprotected casual heterosexual sex.

Molecular Epidemiology of HIV-1 in Ghana: Subtype Distribution, Drug Resistance and Coreceptor Usage

“…Our cohort comprised slightly more females than males, consistent with the over-representation of females among PLWH globally (UNAIDS estimates that 54% of all PLWH in 2021 were women and girls [ 2 ]), and in sub-Saharan Africa [ 62 , 63 , 64 ], including Ghana [ 16 , 27 , 65 ], in particular. Consistent with previous reports from Ghana [ 19 , 27 , 66 ], the dominant mode of transmission in our cohort was heterosexual, and the cohort age distribution was comparable to recent studies in the region [ 25 ].…”

“…Since then, national HIV prevalence has remained consistent at ~2% [ 13 , 14 ]. An estimated 342,307 persons were living with HIV in Ghana in 2019 [ 15 , 16 ], the majority (65%) female [ 17 , 18 ], with heterosexual transmission representing the main transmission mode [ 19 , 20 ]. Though Ghana adopted the World Health Organization (WHO)’s “treat all” policy, which offers ART to all people living with HIV (PLWH) irrespective of their CD4+ T-cell count [ 21 ], in September 2016, the country fell short of achieving the UNAIDS “90–90–90” goals (where 90% of PLWH would know their status, 90% of those who know their status would be on antiretroviral therapy [ART], and 90% of those on ART would be virally suppressed, by 2020).…”

Migration, sexual networks, and HIV in Agbogbloshie, Ghana

“…The studies on the female migrant head porters mentioned above ( Awumbila and Ardayfio-Schandorf 2008 ; Oberhauser and Yeboah 2011 ) thinly address the important issue of sexual health for these young girls and women. An analysis of the 2008 Ghana DHS examined predictors of unprotected sex but did not examine mobility, and did not find meaningful associations with place of residence (rural/urban) or region either ( Kumi-Kyereme, Tuoyire, and Darteh 2013 ). Our study builds upon recent conceptual and methodological advances and updates knowledge on migration and HIV in Ghana.…”