Is drinking alcohol associated with sexual coercion among Ugandan university students?: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundSexual coercion is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and is a risk factor for unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and mental health problems. Alcohol consumption patterns have been suggested to be an important factor behind the experience of sexual coercion among university students.ObjectiveTo study the association between alcohol consumption and the experience of sexual coercion among Ugandan university students.MethodIn 2010, 1954 Ugandan students participated in a cross sectional survey, conducted in Mbarara University of Science and Technology (72% response rate). A self-administered questionnaire assessed socio-demographic factors, alcohol consumption, mental health, and sexual behavior. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the various predictors of recent experience of sexual coercion. The data were stratified by sex.ResultsOf the 1954 students, 27.6% reported having experienced sexual coercion and 16.4% stated that they had such an experience recently. Individuals who reported frequent consumption of alcohol, or having consumed alcohol often on the occasion of sexual intercourse, were found to have a higher probability of recent experiences of sexual coercion (OR adjusted 2.29, 95% CI 1.40–3.72, and OR adjusted 2.78, 95% CI 1.56–4.97, respectively). These associations were significant even after adjusting for potential confounders. A synergistic effect was found between poor mental health and frequent consumption of alcohol in conjunction with having sex with regard to its impact on recent experiences of sexual coercion.ConclusionWe found an association between alcohol consumption and experiences of sexual coercion among Ugandan university students. Therefore, universities may want to consider alcohol prevention under their policy framework, as it could reduce the potential risk of sexual coercion.

Utilization of skilled birth attendant at birth and associated factors among women who gave birth in the last 24 months preceding the survey in Gura Dhamole Woreda, Bale zone, southeast Ethiopia

“…This means majority 274 (70.8%) of women gave birth without assistance of SBA at home during the last child birth. The finding of this study agrees with the findings other studies conducted in different parts of Ethiopia such as in Bale zone Goba district (32.9%), southern Ethiopia (Loka Abaya woreda (26.8%) and Cheha district (31%)), national finding of EDHS 2016 (28%) [9, 10, 13, 14] and another study conducted in Bangladesh (30.06%) [15]. However this finding is higher than studies conducted in Arsi zone Munesa woreda (12.3%), Awi zone Akansha Guagusa Woreda (18.7%), northwest Ethiopia Sekela district (12.1%) and a study conducted in northern Nigeria (13%) [12, 16–18].…”

Alcohol use in a rural district in Uganda: findings from community-based and facility-based cross-sectional studies

“…Internalized stigma among people with alcohol use problems is associated with psychiatric symptom severity [ 35 ], non-disclosure of mental illness [ 36 ] and treatment non-adherence [ 35 , 36 ]. Other studies in Uganda have also associated alcohol use with an increased risk of HIV infection [ 14 , 37 , 38 ], risky sexual behaviours [ 38 ], road traffic accidents [ 39 ], sexual coercion [ 16 ], poverty persistence [ 17 , 19 – 21 ] and intimate partner violence [ 14 , 40 ]. These notable associations could contribute to the persistently high human poverty indicator in Kamuli currently estimated at 58% [ 18 ], and could contribute to the high prevalence of intimate partner violence and HIV in rural eastern Uganda currently estimated at 53% [ 22 ] and 6.2% [ 11 ], respectively.…”

“…To date, no study has examined the prevalence and characteristics of men who drink in eastern Uganda, specifically in Kamuli district. Previous studies in Uganda were mainly conducted in specialised sub-populations such as fishing communities [ 10 ], post-conflict areas [ 11 ], HIV patients [ 12 – 14 ] and university students [ 15 , 16 ]. These findings may not be applicable to regions like Kamuli that have no university or any higher institution of learning, and are neither post-conflict areas nor predominantly fishing communities.…”

Alcohol use among adults in Uganda: findings from the countrywide non-communicable diseases risk factor cross-sectional survey

“…Uganda has previously been reported to have one of highest levels of alcohol consumption in the East African region, with an annual per capita alcohol consumption of 23.7 liters ( 16 ). Some studies have also associated alcohol use with an increased risk of road traffic accidents ( 17 ), HIV infection ( 18 ), risky sexual behaviors ( 19 ), sexual coercion ( 20 ), and intimate partner violence ( 21 ). However, most of these studies were conducted on limited population groups in particular geographic locations using differing methodologies and are therefore not sufficient for clarifying the national prevalence of alcohol use.…”