Knowledge, attitudes and practices of teenage girls’ engagement in unprotected sex in Nakawa division, Kampala district, Uganda.

Abstract

Introduction :Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Teenage Girls Engagement in Unprotected Sex broadly applies the concept of human rights to sexuality and reproduction, and is concerned with the intersection of four distinct fields sexual health, sexual rights, reproductive health, and reproductive rights of sexual. Young people in sub-Saharan Africa face various sexual and reproductive health risks such as unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Compared with an average HIV prevalence of 0.8% among adults aged 15–49 years worldwide, nearly one in every 25 sub-Saharan African adults (4.4%) live with HIV, and the region accounts for nearly 70% of the people living with HIV worldwide. In Nakawa division, teenagers have an average of 1.8 sexual partners and only 54% use condoms despite extensive voluntary counselling and testing strategies all over the country. Methods: A descriptive and cross sectional research design using quantitative methods of data collection was used to carry out the study. A sample size of 96 respondents who were teenagers (13 -19) years) in Nakawa division was chosen. Data was collected using an interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire, which had four sections: demographics of teenagers (age, gender, educational attainment and religion), sexual behaviours, sexual and reproductive health rights, and sexual and reproductive health needs. The questionnaire was pre-tested prior to data collection for cultural appropriateness and clarity and trained bilingual workers, translating into Luganda where appropriate, administered it in English. Results were presented in form of frequency tables, graphs and text. Results: The majority of the participants were (18-19) years of age. Most participants 94 (96%) had ever heard of un protected sex of which 86 (96%) were sexually active, while 91 (96%) believe that un protected sex is dangerous and also gave ways of how un protected sex can be prevented. The percentage of the youth engaging in unprotected sex was 22 (25%) and that of those who are not engaged in unprotected sex was 36 (46%). had more than one partner which partners are in the age bracket of (18-19) and these youth girls are exposed to sex by the age of (15-17) at most. Conclusion: Majority of respondents 75% had high knowledge on the dangers of unprotected sex. Most participants saw unprotected sex as a threat to their lives and their communities. However, the majority of the people had poor attitude and engaged in unprotected sex at an early age with more than one partner of which the partners are also in the same age bracket. Therefore, Health education through sensitization interventions and creation of awareness are necessary to address the gaps highlighted in the study