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Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Substance use and risky sexual behaviours among sexually experienced Ghanaian youth

Author: David Doku

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2012

Abstract

Background

The association between risky sexual behaviours and substance uses among Ghanaian youth were investigated.

Methods

An in-school cross-sectional representative survey was conducted among 12-18-year- old youth in Ghana in 2008 (N = 1195, response rate =90%). Logistic regression analyses were employed to investigate the association between substance use (tobacco use, drunkenness, marijuana use and other drug uses) and risky sexual behaviours (sexual debut, condom use and number of sexual partners).

Results

Of all youth, 25% (28% boys and 23% girls) were sexually experienced. The mean age for first sexual intercourse was 14.8 years (14.4 years for boys and 15.1 years for girls). Among the sexually experienced, 31% had multiple sexual partners. Older age (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.7-3.4) and rural residency (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.1) were independently associated with sexual debut while only older age (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.7-3.4) was associated with condom use. Additionally, smoking (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 2.0-6.8), tawa use (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.3-4.7), tobacco use (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.7-4.7) drunkenness (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.8) and marijuana use (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.6-7.0) were independently associated with sexual debut. Furthermore, all substance uses studied were associated with having one or multiple sexual partners.

Conclusion

Substance use seems to be a gateway for risky sexual behaviours among Ghanaian youth. Public health interventions should take into account the likelihood of substance use among sexually experienced youth.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/571/prepub

Title: Substance use and risky sexual behaviours among sexually experienced Ghanaian youth
Author: David Doku
Publication date: 01-12-2012
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-571

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Substance use and risky sexual behaviours among sexually experienced Ghanaian youth

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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