Predictors of multiple sexual partnerships among men aged 15-24 in Uganda

Abstract

Background: Multiple sexual partnerships among young men represent a key behavioral risk factor for Sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the predictors of this behaviour is essential for designing effective sexual and reproductive health interventions. This study aimed to assess the predictors of multiple sexual partners among men aged 15–24 in Uganda, using data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS). Methods: The study analyzed a weighted sample of 2,238 male respondents aged 15–24. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were employed to examine the association between selected demographic, socio-economic, and behavioural factors and the likelihood of having multiple sexual partners in the past one year. Results: The prevalence of multiple sexual partners among men aged 15-14 was 14%. The multivariate analysis revealed that age, marital status, religion, occupation, and wealth index were statistically significant predictors of multiple sexual partners. The odds of reporting multiple sexual partners were higher among men aged 20–24 compared to those aged 15–19 (OR = 3.17; 95% CI: 2.20–4.57); among married men compared to unmarried counterparts (OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.68–3.78); and among Muslim men compared to Anglicans (OR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.11–3.03). Men working in sale and services [OR=2.53; 95% CI: 1.27-5.03] and those in agriculture and manual work sectors [OR=2.47; 95% CI: 1.36-4.50] were also more likely to engage in MSP than those not working or in domestic work. Furthermore, men in the richest wealth quintile had higher odds of MSP [OR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.09-2.37] compared to those in the poor category. Conclusions: The study concluded that age, marital status, religion, occupation, and wealth status were key factors associated with having multiple sexual partners among young men in Uganda These findings indicate that engaging with multiple sexual partners remain prevalent among young men in Uganda, with significant variation across socio-demographic and economic characteristics. These results highlight the need for targeted public health interventions that consider age, marital status, religion, occupation, and economic status in efforts to promote safer sexual practices among young men.