African Population Studies (UAPS) / Etude de la Population Africaine (UEPA)
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Explaining trends of premarital childbearing among young women in Uganda
No full textYoung motherhood is associated with persistently high rates of fertility and adverse maternal, neonatal and social outcomes in many sub-Saharan African countries. This study examined the trends and explained the persistence of high incidence of premarital childbearing among sexually active unmarried women in Uganda. Cross-sectional data from the 2001, 2006 and 2011 Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys were used. The study revealed that across the span of the study period the prevalence of premarital childbearing remained high and stable at more than 25% in all the three surveys. Premarital childbearing is significantly predicted by age group 20–24, young age at sexual debut, female headed households, and households headed by the young women themselves, low level of education, rural residence and multiple lifetime sexual partnerships. Increasing and maintaining access to programmes that increase age at sexual debut, level of education and reduce number of lifetime sex partners are recommended
Facilitators and Barriers to Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence among Ghanaian Patients: A Multi-Case Study
No full textThe only remedy to manage AIDS remains ART, making adherence to ART paramount in AIDS management. Non-adherence can impede the sustainability of programmes intended at successful HIV and AIDS care. We studied individual, social and service delivery factors influencing adherence to ART. Mixed method involving 133 participants was used, data were analysed using SPSS version 18.0. There were statistically significant relationship between availability of drugs, privacy, relations with health professionals, counselling services, and adherence to ART ((p = 0.008, p = 0.001, p = 0.008 and p = 0.018 respectively). Although age, gender, and perceived efficacy and need for ART were not significantly related to adherence (p > .05 in all cases), the qualitative findings indicated otherwise. For AIDS patients, ART is tantamount to life, thus, stakeholders should place priority on availability of ARVs and well trained personnel to deliver efficient and quality services to allay the fears of patients
Introduction to the Special Issue
No full textThis special issue of African Population Studies is produced under the theme ‘Sexual and reproductive health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa’. It was coordinated by the Research Focus Area ‘Population and Health’ (RFA_PH) of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus). The RFA_PH has identified sexual and reproductive health (SRH) as one of the research priority areas. The special issue is a single publication that collates what individual RFA_PH researchers have been doing recently in this area and also identifies gaps for further research. In addition, selected researchers outside the RFA_PH have participated in this special issue to broaden the understanding of SRH in Africa. The special issue comprises of 13 articles that cover research done in nine sub-Saharan African countries namely Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe
Acceptability and use of female condoms among young people in South Africa
No full textThe female condom was introduced more than two decades ago and remains the only female-initiated tool available that provides dual protection for women. The aim of this study to explore acceptability and potential demand for the female condom in Durban, South Africa. The study draws on 15 in-depth interviews with young women aged 18 to 30 years who reported that they had ever used the female condom in the past. The findings highlight a number of factors that facilitate and inhibit female condom use. Protection from sexually transmitted infections (including HIV) and pregnancy prevention facilitates the use of the device. In addition, students expressed positive attitudes towards the female condom and prefer it over other contraceptive methods because it offers them dual protection. Absence of side effects, and greater power and autonomy to initiate safer sex are other factors that facilitate use. Inadequate availability, insertion difficulties, and stigma serve as significant barriers to consistent female condom us
Sexual Violence against Men Students in Tertiary Institutions in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria
No full textThe experience of violence to men in Africa has been under-researched, because culturally it is not believed that men may be victims of abuse. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with experience of Sexual Violence (SV) to men students in tertiary institutions in a metropolitan city, South-West Nigeria. Using multistage sampling technique, 600 men students were randomly selected from two tertiary institutions in Ibadan, Nigeria. With the level of significance set at 5% (p<0.05) and confidence interval at 95% (C.I- 95%), prevalence of SV was 58.3%. Partners were the main (59.4%) perpetrator of SV. Approximately 18.0% victims ever sought help following abuse. Schooling level, family background, current relationship status, alcohol consumption, and smoking status, were significantly associated with experience of SV (p<0.05). Intervention programs that addresses SV and which target students in the lower levels of tertiary education, particularly those from polygamous families and who smoke and drink is necessary in tertiary institutions in Ibadan and possibly other institutions in Nigeria
The influence of beliefs and attitudes about antiretroviral treatment on inconsistent condom use in Botswana
Get PDFThere is little evidence on the influence of attitudes and beliefs of people about ART and inconsistent condom use in Botswana. Using the 2008 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey Data (BAIS III) this study examined the influence of beliefs and attitudes of people about ART on inconsistent use of condoms. A sample of 2087 men and women aged 15-64 years who had ever had sex and had completed BAIS III individual questionnaire were considered for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore the relationship between variables of interest. Results have shown that 23% of respondents held the belief that ARVs cure AIDS. Multivariate analyses have shown positive association between the belief that ARVs cure AIDS (OR, 1.2) and inconsistent condom use. Inconsistent condom use was also associated with females (OR, 4.7), no education (OR, 1.9) Primary education (OR, 2.1), having ever married (OR,4.2) and living together (OR, 1.07). Results of this study underscore the need for enhanced efforts to consolidate HIV prevention messages and the need for more widespread dissemination of accurate information about ART
Strengthening the home-to-facility continuum of newborn and child health care through mHealth: Evidence from an intervention in rural Malawi
Get PDFThis paper assesses the impact of a mobile health (mHealth) project on uptake of home-based care for newborn and child health, and investigates the extent to which uptake of home-based care resulted in lessened pressure on health facilities for conditions that can be handled at the household level. It uses mixed methods consisting of cross-sectional household surveys data from a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test design as well as qualitative data. The results show a large, positive effect of the project on the aggregate home-based care for child health, and a sharp, negative impact on facility-based care seeking for fever among children whose mothers/caretakers used the services offered by the intervention. Reasons for using the services mainly relate to the potential of avoiding unnecessary trips to the health facility for care that could be provided at home. The project provides insights on mHealth and community-based programming to improve newborn and child health care delivery
Female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual functioning of married women in Oworonshoki Community, Lagos State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis article examines the nexus between Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and three thematic/fundamental areas of women sexual functioning in the study location. These thematic areas are women’s sexual desire/initiation, sexual activity and sexual satisfaction/enjoyment. To achieve the objectives of the study, a cross-sectional survey research method was adopted and 350 questionnaires were administered among ever married women. Elicited data were analyzed with the aids of quantitative analytical techniques. Findings of the study reveal that FGM hampered effective and efficient sexual functioning of the women in the study location as circumcised women reported defective sexuality and sexual dysfunctional. Based on these findings, it has been recommended that both state and non-state actors working in the areas of women’s reproductive health should develop appropriate intervention programmes to reduce/eradicate the practice of FGM in the study location. This will invariably help the married women to reach orgasm during sexual intercourse
Trend and Determinants of Unmet Need for Family Planning Services among Currently Married Women and Sexually Active Unmarried Women Aged 15-49 in Nigeria (2003—2013)
Get PDFThis study examines trend and determinants of unmet need for family planning (FP) among currently married women and sexually active unmarried women of reproductive age 15-49 in Nigeria over a period of 10 years (2003-2013). Data from three consecutive Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (2003, 2008 and 2013) were analyzed. The results show that the unmet need for FP declined between 2008 and 2013 to a level less comparable with the situation in 2003. The significant determinants of unmet need for FP included age, marital status, education, religion, current work status, decision-making on spending personal earnings, gender of household heads, household wealth status, number of living children (including current pregnancy), rural-urban residence, home visit by FP workers and recent exposure to FP messages via mass media. It is therefore necessary that FP programmers continue to develop specific responses that address the barriers to contraceptive use.
Association between experience of sexual coercion and sexual behaviour: insights from the 2008 Botswana AIDS impact survey III
Get PDFObjective: Little is known about the prevalence and the effect of sexual coercion on risky sexual behaviour in the context of Botswana. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the experience of sexual coercion and risky sexual behaviour.Methods: The study used a nationally representative population-based survey data from the 2008 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey III. We used cross-tabulations and multivariate logistic regression analysis to investigate an association between the experience of sexual coercion and risky sexual behaviour.Results: Out of the 2,455 respondents, the prevalence of sexual coercion was 5% (3.1% males and 8.1% females). The adjusted odds ratios showed that only the respondents who reported having experienced sexual coercion compared to those who did not were 1.9 times more likely to report having engaged in multiple sexual partnerships and this relationship was statistically significant at 1% level.Conclusion: The results suggest that in order to implement effective HIV/AIDS prevention strategies it is imperative to adopt a more holistic and multifaceted approach that includes issues of sexual violence