Is drinking alcohol associated with sexual coercion among Ugandan university students?: a cross-sectional study

Reproductive Health

Per-Olof Östergren¹  Martin Stafström¹  Anette Agardh²  Devika Mehra³ 

[1] Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden;Department of Pediatrics, Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children’s Hospital, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences, Clinical Research Centre, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms gata 35, House 28, Floor 12, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden

关键词: University students;    Uganda;    Mental health;    Alcohol;    Sexual coercion;   

Others  :  805057
DOI  :  10.1186/1742-4755-11-7

 received in 2013-06-19, accepted in 2014-01-08,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Sexual coercion is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and is a risk factor for unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and mental health problems. Alcohol consumption patterns have been suggested to be an important factor behind the experience of sexual coercion among university students.

Objective

To study the association between alcohol consumption and the experience of sexual coercion among Ugandan university students.

Method

In 2010, 1954 Ugandan students participated in a cross sectional survey, conducted in Mbarara University of Science and Technology (72% response rate). A self-administered questionnaire assessed socio-demographic factors, alcohol consumption, mental health, and sexual behavior. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the various predictors of recent experience of sexual coercion. The data were stratified by sex.

Results

Of the 1954 students, 27.6% reported having experienced sexual coercion and 16.4% stated that they had such an experience recently. Individuals who reported frequent consumption of alcohol, or having consumed alcohol often on the occasion of sexual intercourse, were found to have a higher probability of recent experiences of sexual coercion (OR adjusted 2.29, 95% CI 1.40–3.72, and OR adjusted 2.78, 95% CI 1.56–4.97, respectively). These associations were significant even after adjusting for potential confounders. A synergistic effect was found between poor mental health and frequent consumption of alcohol in conjunction with having sex with regard to its impact on recent experiences of sexual coercion.

Conclusion

We found an association between alcohol consumption and experiences of sexual coercion among Ugandan university students. Therefore, universities may want to consider alcohol prevention under their policy framework, as it could reduce the potential risk of sexual coercion.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Mehra et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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