Abstract
Background: High-risk sexual behaviours (HRSBs) among young adults are a key risk for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV and unplanned pregnancies. The World Health Organization has identified the 15-24 year age-group as high-risk for STIs. Students at Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) may be at higher risk because they are free of immediate parental supervision, a transient migratory population, and probably at peak years of sexual activity. Here, we describe risky sexual behaviours and preventive practices among young adults attending HLIs in Mbeya, Tanzania. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2019 to January 2020 among students aged 18-24 years enrolled in HLIs within Mbeya. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on sexual health education, activity, behaviour and STI knowledge. Results: 504 students were enrolled; mean age of 21.5 (SD 1.74) years. 377 (74.8%) students were sexually active. Mean age of first sexual encounter was 18.4 years and 11.6% reported their sexual debut was <15 years. A higher proportion of male students (59.7%) reported their sexual debut with non-steady partners compared with female students (40.9%). Lack of condom use at sexual debut was reported by 43.3% of sexually active students. Consistent condom use during the past 4-weeks was reported at 23.3% and 16.9% among men and women, respectively. Almost 1 in 10 students reported being forced into having sex by someone they were dating. Sex under the influence of alcohol was reported by 25.5% of the students. Nearly 7 in 10 (77%) students had heard of STIs, but only 15% were aware STIs could be asymptomatic. Conclusion: STI prevention programs need to recognize young adults in HLIs as an at-risk population. HLIs must advocate targeted messages to minimize risks to acquiring STIs, offer counselling and support for those experiencing sexual violence, and promote condom use and safer-sex negotiation skills.
Highlights
In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), young people comprise almost a quarter of the population and this number is expected to significantly increase by 20501
We describe here the existing risky sexual behaviours and preventive practices among young adults attending Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) in Mbeya region, Tanzania
Of the 128 who were not enrolled, 32 (25%) were not found and the remaining said they were not willing to participate in the study
Summary
In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), young people comprise almost a quarter of the population and this number is expected to significantly increase by 20501. Adolescents and young adults experience a distinct “transition phase” whereby the family or society does not quite define them as children or yet adults[2]; and during this phase the habitual position of the parents gets overridden slowly by peers/friends of the same age. During this phase of transition to self-realisation, young adults begin to experience sexual activities, heightened sexuality curiosities and become prone to preventable sexual health threats[2,3].
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