Event-based analysis of the association between alcohol use and unsafe sex in seven sub-Saharan African countries

Abstract

Aims: To examine the association between alcohol consumption at last sex and unsafe sex in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa.Design: Multivariable logistic regression of unsafe sex was performed using cross-sectional data with a stratified sample design from seven countries. Setting:The study uses data from the Demographic and Health Surveys of Lesotho, Kenya, Mozambique, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Participants: Men and women age 15-49 years with data available on alcohol consumption and who have had sex in the last 12 months were included in the analysis. Measures:The main independent variable is alcohol consumption at last sex with a non-cohabiting partner. Findings:The analysis has shown that alcohol consumption was a strong predictor of unsafe sex for all surveys except for women in Kenya. Age and number of sexual partners were also strong predictors of unsafe sex. Conclusions:The findings indicate that there is a positive link between alcohol consumption and unsafe sex in all countries except for Kenya among women. The inconsistent finding in Kenya requires further study. One of the main limitations of the analysis is the low number of observations found for women and men who reported drinking at last sex with a non-cohabiting partner.

Alcohol Use as a Predictor of Risky Sexual Behaviour among Young Adults in the Western Cape Province of South Africa

“…The current research supports and adds to the expanding body of knowledge [5][6][7][8]30] finding a significant relation between risky drinking and RSB among young adults living in low-income communities in South Africa. The study investigated the relation between risky drinking and RSB among young adults.…”

“…Risky drinking was found to be a significant predictor of RSB. This finding adds to a growing body of research indicating a strong link between alcohol and sexual risk behaviour [19], especially when drinking occurs during sexual events [5,65]. The use of alcohol explains 23.22% of the variance in RSB.…”

“…Additionally, drinking fuels inequality within and between nations [4] by impeding progress towards SDG 10, which calls for less inequality. The association between alcohol consumption, risky sexual conduct, and HIV/AIDS is well established [5,6]. However, the literature recognises alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviour (RSB) as two distinct variables that interact at a specific point that varies according to the features of the particular drinker and the sexual situation.…”

Youths’ Perceptions Of The Relation Between Alcohol Consumption And Risky Sexual Behaviour in the Western Cape, South Africa: A Qualitative Study

“…The association between alcohol, sexual risk behaviour and HIV/AIDS is well established (Assaf & Mallick, 2018;Kalichman et al, 2007;WHO, 2015). Individuals who use alcohol, especially those who drink heavily, are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviour such as having multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex, concurrent sexual partners, transactional sex and physical and sexual violence (Bello et al, 2017;Muchimba et al, 2013;Scott-Sheldon et al, 2012).…”

Susceptibility to risky sexual behaviours in the polish population aged 15-63

“…Związek między alkoholem, ryzykownymi zachowaniami seksualnymi oraz HIV jest dobrze znany. [8], [9] Osoby, które nadużywają alkoholu, częściej podejmują zachowania seksualne wysokiego ryzyka, takie jak: seks bez zabezpieczeń, posiadanie wielu partnerów seksualnych. Jednak rzeczywiste ustalenie zaangażowania w takie zachowania jest trudne, dlatego ryzykowne zachowania seksualne są identyfikowane poprzez rozpoznanie chorób przenoszonych drogą płciową lub nieplanowanej ciąży.…”