Abstract
Introduction: Adolescents in Uganda, as in other sub-Saharan countries, engage in sex with multiple concurrent partners, thus placing them at risk for HIV and unplanned pregnancies, but it is not clear why. This study explored why adolescents in Uganda engage in multiple concurrent sexual partnerships (MCSP).Methods: This study used a Core Processes methodology. We used the processes of brainstorming, and identification of evidence and theoretical support, in various phases/steps of intervention planning, to provide possible explanations for adolescent MCSP.Results: Adolescents were found to have limited knowledge of the risks associated with MCSP and perceived a low risk for HIV. Peer influence to engage in MCSP exacerbated the problem among adolescents. Poor communication with sexual partners and parents and societal indifference to multiple sexual partnerships increased permissive attitudes toward infidelity. The unclear adolescent sexual and reproductive health policies hampered access to services, and transactional sexual relationships with older (polygamous) sexual partners increased the HIV risk. Adolescents were found to be more concerned about unplanned pregnancies than HIV risk.Discussion: From the empirical evidence, adolescent health programs in Uganda should incorporate comprehensive sexual health education on HIV and teenage pregnancy risk-reduction strategies. Programs should strengthen parental and community support through enhanced collaborative training on communication with and for adolescents. Forming strategic partnerships with various stakeholders for concerted efforts to address the MCSP problem among adolescents is critical.
Highlights
Adolescents in Uganda, as in other sub-Saharan countries, engage in sex with multiple concurrent partners, placing them at risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and unplanned pregnancies, but it is not clear why
Group brainstorming sessions with adolescents indicated that adolescents in Uganda engage in multiple concurrent sexual partnerships (MCSP) because of peer pressure, and a lack of basic needs drives them to engage in multiple transactional sexual relationships for money
Some adolescents alleged that occasionally parents encourage them to engage in transactional sex and early marriages to older sexual partners who may be polygamous, which increases their risk for HIV
Summary
Adolescents in Uganda, as in other sub-Saharan countries, engage in sex with multiple concurrent partners, placing them at risk for HIV and unplanned pregnancies, but it is not clear why. This study explored why adolescents in Uganda engage in multiple concurrent sexual partnerships (MCSP). MCSP are associated with a heightened risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), HIV/AIDS [6,7,8,9]. It is not yet clear why adolescents in Uganda engage in MCSP, which can lead to health problems of unplanned pregnancies and a decreased quality of life.
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