Prevalence and correlates of HIV-risky sexual behaviors among students attending the Medical and Social Welfare Center of the University of Maroua, Cameroon

BMC Research Notes

Joël Fokom-Domgue³  Rosette Amélie Youmbi¹  Leopold N. Aminde⁴  Jean Joel R. Bigna⁵  Ahmadou M. Jingi²  Binhuan Wang⁷  Shalom Tchokfe Ndoula¹  Jobert Richie N. Nansseu⁶  Jean Jacques N. Noubiap⁸ 

[1] Medical and Social Welfare Center of the University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon;Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon;Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon;Clinical Research Education, Networking & Consultancy (CRENC), Douala, Cameroon;Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Pasteur Center of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon;Intensive Care Unit, Mother and Child Centre, Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon;Department of Population Health, Division of Biostatistics, New York School of Medicine, New York, USA;Medical Diagnostic Center, Yaoundé, Cameroon

关键词: Africa;    Cameroon;    University students;    Sexual behavior;   

Others  :  1232833
DOI  :  10.1186/s13104-015-1638-2

 received in 2014-08-26, accepted in 2015-10-27,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

Data on sexual behaviors in Cameroonian youths are needed to design and implement effective preventive strategies against HIV/AIDS. This study aimed at assessing sociodemographic and religious factors associated with sexual behaviors among university students in Cameroon.

Methods

In 2011, 411 university students were surveyed by a self-administered questionnaire at the Medical and Social Welfare Center of the University of Maroua. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine correlates of sexual behaviors.

Results

80.8 % of students were sexually active. The mean age at sexual debut was 18.1 years (SD = 3.1). The frequency of premarital sex was 92.8 %. Pornography viewing [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 4.0, 95 % CI 2.1–7.6; p < 0.0001] and an increased age of 1 year (aOR: 1.3, 95 % CI 2.0–7.6; p < 0.0001) were significantly associated with having previously had sex. The likelihood to have a lower (<18) age at sexual debut was increased by male gender (aOR: 2.5, 95 % CI 1.7–5; p < 0.001), and urban origin (aOR: 2.9, 95 % CI 1.5–5.7; p < 0.01). The probability to have a high number (#3) of lifetime sexual partners was increased by age (aOR: 1.1, 95 % CI 1.0–1.2; p < 0.001), pornography viewing (aOR: 4.3, 95 % CI 1.9–9.5; p < 0.001), an early sexual debut (aOR: 2.8, 95 % CI 1.6–5.0; p < 0.001), having had occasional sexual partners (aOR: 7.0, 95 % CI 3.7–13.1; p < 0.0001), and was decreased by Muslim religious affiliation (aOR: 0.2, 95 % CI 0.1–0.9; p < 0.05). Having had casual sexual partners was associated with less inconsistent condom use (aOR: 0.5, 95 % CI 0.2–0.9; p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that there is an alarming level of risky sexual behaviors among the study population. Strong and efficient measures should be undertaken to handle such harmful behaviors, this for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other STIs in this vulnerable population.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Noubiap et al.

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