Determinants of safe sex negotiation among Makerere University students

Abstract

Safe sex negotiation involves individuals’ communications and discussions of safe sexual health practices and protection measures with their partners to ensure safe sexual encounters. Open and honest communication between partners, where both partners feel comfortable expressing their boundaries, preferences and concerns, is essential and crucial for safe sex negotiation. This study examines the determinants of safe sex negotiation among university students of Makerere University. The study employed a cross sectional study design to find out the determinants of safe sex negotiation among a sample of-136 students. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect primary data through convenience sampling of the University students. Data analysis involved use of STATA software to carryout descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and regression analysis to find out the relationship between safe sex negotiation and its determinants. The study explored the demographic, socio-economic and behavioral factors that determine safe sex negotiation among students. The sample consisted of 65.67% males with majority of the students (70.90%) in year 3. A substantial proportion of Christians (88.06%) demonstrated that they would easily negotiate for safe sex. Variables such as Religion specifically Moslems with p=0.03, level of confidence, STIs knowledge (little knowledge with p=0.019) and sexual activity in the past months i.e. those in the yes category, showed significant relationship. The researcher therefore recommends that students should feel free and confident while negotiating for safe sex with their partners and also encourages sex education and awareness about STI’s knowledge or sex-related information.