Factors associated with transactional sex among women aged 15-24 in Uganda
Abstract
The exchange of money for sex is known to be a superset of sex labor since it involves a wider range of (often non-marital) duties that are not always accompanied by a preset payment or gift but do contain a clear desire to gain something material from the sexual encounter. The main objective of this study investigated the risk factors associated with transactional sex among young girls aged 15-24 years in Uganda. Secondary data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey was utilized. Descriptive data analysis was used to reveal the magnitude of transactional sex and explore the characteristics of study participants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the relationship between variables. multivariable logistic regression and p-value < 0.05 and odds ratio at 95% CI was used to show a significant association of variables. Of all the women in the age group of 15-24, about 13.5% were engaged in transactional sex. Variables such as age of the woman (p=0.001), educational level (p=0.005), residence (p=0.01) were statistically associated with transactional sex. There is a need to strengthen delivery of and access to social services that are deemed to have the most protective functions for girl child – particularly primary and secondary education, primary health care, information about sexual and reproductive, community sensitization around sexual abuse and related risks/social norms and judicial facilities. The government of Uganda should encourage and promote girl child education since education is expected to be a protective factor for young girls as those in school are likely to be occupied with school work and assignments and may not have an extra time to socialize in venues where they would be predisposed to engage in risky behaviors such as transactional sex.