Determinants of self-reported sexually transmitted infections among women in union in Busoga Region

Abstract

Sexually Transmitted Infections, prevention and control have widespread public health benefits and contribute to progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study examined the determinants of self-reported among women in union in Busoga region, Uganda. The study, based on data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS), analyzed 1530 weighted cases of women aged 15 to 49 years in union in the region. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regressions were used to examine the determinants of self-reported STIs. The main explanatory variables were women`s age, marital status, education level, place of residence, working status, wealth index, whether women used condom during last sex with most recent partner, number of life time sexual partners, number of children and partners alcohol consumption. Results showed that a considerable percentage (31%) reported having had any STI or any STI symptom in the last 12 months and women`s working status. whether women used condom during last sex with most recent partner and the number of life time sexual were significantly associated with STIs among women where odds of reporting STIs were higher among working women as compared to those not working ; women who used condom during last recent sex as compared to that didn`t use; were lower and on average among women with more than one life time sexual partner were higher as compared to those with one and the odds increased with an increase in the number of partners. Therefore, there is need by Government and other stakeholder like NGOs to encourage women in Busoga region and Uganda at large to always use condoms during sex and always sticking to one partner in order to reduce on the risk of contracting STIs and also encourage regular testing and treatment of STIs.