Association between alcohol consumption and extramarital sex among men in Uganda

Abstract

Background: This study examines the association between alcohol consumption and extramarital sex among men (15-54 years) in Uganda. A cross sectional survey design was used to identify the association alcohol consumption and extramarital in Uganda. Methods: The study involved quantitative analysis of Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) data of 2016. A total of weighted sample of 5,336 men in aged (15–49 years) were included in the analyses. I examined the association between extramarital sex and independent variables using binary logistic regression analysis. The results are presented using odds ratio (OR), with their respective confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The overall prevalence of extramarital sex among men aged (15-54 years) in Uganda was 29.5%. The predictor variables associated with extramarital sex were wealth index, religion, and age at first sex. The odds of extramarital sex among men were higher among men in odds of extramarital sex were higher among men in the age group 20-24 (OR=1.51; CI: 0.53-4.29) compared to men in the age group of 15-19 year, had attained primary level of education (OR=1.16; CI: 0.67-2.01) as compared with men who had never attended school, rich wealth quintile (OR=1.93; CI: 1.31-2.83) as compared to the poor, working status (OR=1.43; CI: 0.62-3.33) as compare to not working class. Also, odds were lower among men who had their first sex at 28+ years (OR:0.20; CI: 0.47-0.90) as compare to those who had their first sex at 8-12 years, were seventh day Adventists, born again, orthodox and others (OR= 0.58; CI: 0.39-0.86) compare with Anglicans. Age of the respondent, education level, working status, place of residence and drinking alcohol were not associated with extramarital sex among men in Uganda. Conclusion: The study concluded that, of the three variables the strongest correlate of extramarital sex was wealth index, where the odds ratios showed that respondents in rich wealth quintile are almost twice more likely to engage in extramarital sex than the poor. Also age at first sex yielded a significance association with extramarital sex and over 0.5 odd ratios were in the respondent who their first sex below 18 years. This puts at risk high spread of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and AIDS among others. It was recommended that health social workers, health educators, religious leaders should ensure adequate dissemination of information on importance of male involvement in sexual reproductive health and health well-being in general.