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Reproductive Health
Published in: Reproductive Health 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research

Factors associated with early resumption of sexual intercourse among postnatal women in Uganda

Authors: Alice C. Alum, Irene B. Kizza, Charles P. Osingada, Godfrey Katende, Dan K. Kaye

Published in: Reproductive Health | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Despite being a key component to be addressed during postnatal period, sexuality has long been a subject of secrecy and taboo in Africa. Resumption of sexual intercourse after giving birth has been shown to reduce extramarital affairs and consequently reduce risk of sexually transmitted infections like HIV/AIDS. Consequences of early resumption of sexual intercourse include unwanted pregnancy, genital trauma and puerperal infection. The objective of the study was to assess prevalence and factors associated with early resumption of sexual intercourse among postnatal mothers attending postnatal clinic at a National referral Hospital in Uganda.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study that employed an interviewer-administered questionnaire was conducted among 374 women who delivered six months prior to conducting the study. The independent variables included socio-demographic characteristics of the participant, socio-demographic characteristics of the spouse, perceived cultural norms, medical history, mode of delivery, and postpartum complications. The dependent variable was timing of resumption of sexual intercourse after childbirth (before or after six weeks postpartum). Data were analysed using SPSS version 16.0.

Results

The study showed that 105 participants (21.6 %) had resumed sexual intercourse before 6 weeks after childbirth. The participants’ education level, occupation, and parity; education level of the spouse, age of baby and use of family planning were the factors associated with early resumption of sexual intercourse after child birth (before six weeks postpartum) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Many women resumed sexual intercourse after six weeks. Women with high income, low parity, who ever-used contraception or had a spouse with high education level were more likely to have early resumption of sexual intercourse.
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Metadata
Title
Factors associated with early resumption of sexual intercourse among postnatal women in Uganda
Authors
Alice C. Alum
Irene B. Kizza
Charles P. Osingada
Godfrey Katende
Dan K. Kaye
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Reproductive Health / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1742-4755
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-015-0089-5

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