Determinants of safe sex negotiation among married women in rural areas of Uganda

Abstract

Background: Improving women’s ability to negotiate for safer sex would have positive effects on their sexual and reproductive health such as reduction in sexually transmitted infections that could cause harm and damage to a woman. In my study I examined the relationship between safe sex negotiations among married women in rural areas of Uganda. Methods: In the study I used the qualitative analysis of Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) data of 2016. A total of weighted sample of 8,366.5 married women in rural areas aged 15–49 were included in our analyses. I examined the association between safe sex negotiation and independent variables using the bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis and using the univariate analysis to find out the frequency and percentages. Results: The overall prevalence of safe sex negotiation among married women in rural areas of Uganda was 79.2% where age, education, wealth status, region and frequency of watching television were found out to be the predictors of SSN among married women in rural areas of Uganda. Women aged 20-24 are 90% more likely to negotiate for safe sex than women in age group of 15–19 years. Likewise, those with at least primary level of education 67.37% approximately with [OR= (0.1493205); CI = 1.167-1.758] are more likely to negotiate for safe sex compared to those with no formal education. Women in middle wealth index 44.31% [OR = 1.264689; CI = 1.032-1.549] are more likely to negotiate for safe sex than those in the poor wealth index. Conclusions: The finding will help in increasing male involvement in sexual and reproductive health is important to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (3 & 5) and their targets on empowering all women and safeguarding their reproductive rights. The findings will also enhance women’s awareness of safe sexual practices and how to achieve safe sexual relations with partners and also know the risky sexual behaviours and avoid them as early as possible.