HIGH-RISK SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG VULNERABLE WOMEN IN NORTHERN UGANDA, BASELINE RESULTS FROM PE ATYE KENA COHORT STUDY

Background and Objectives: HIV infection among vulnerable women (VW) has been attributed to unfavourable power relations and limited access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. Aim of this work is to report sexually-transmitted infections (STI) prevalence and to assess the imp...

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Main Authors: Francesco Vladimiro Segala, Giulia Micheli, Cristina Seguiti, Andrea Pierantozzi, Robert Lukwiya, Benson Odong, Francesco Aloi, Emmanuel Ochola, Roberto Cauda, Katleen De gaetano Donati, Antonella Cingolani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PAGEPress Publications 2021-08-01
Series:Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:https://www.mjhid.org/index.php/mjhid/article/view/4670
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author Francesco Vladimiro Segala
Giulia Micheli
Cristina Seguiti
Andrea Pierantozzi
Robert Lukwiya
Benson Odong
Francesco Aloi
Emmanuel Ochola
Roberto Cauda
Katleen De gaetano Donati
Antonella Cingolani
author_facet Francesco Vladimiro Segala
Giulia Micheli
Cristina Seguiti
Andrea Pierantozzi
Robert Lukwiya
Benson Odong
Francesco Aloi
Emmanuel Ochola
Roberto Cauda
Katleen De gaetano Donati
Antonella Cingolani
author_sort Francesco Vladimiro Segala
collection DOAJ
description Background and Objectives: HIV infection among vulnerable women (VW) has been attributed to unfavourable power relations and limited access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. Aim of this work is to report sexually-transmitted infections (STI) prevalence and to assess the impact of HIV awareness, demographic and socio-behavioural factors in a rural area of northern Uganda. Methods: Pe Atye Kena is a longitudinal cohort, intervention study enrolling young women aged 18-49 years old living in the municipality of Gulu, Uganda. HIV, HBV, syphilis serologic tests and electronic comprehensive questionnaire on sexual high-risk behaviours were administered. Statistical analysis was performed by uni- and multivariable regression models. Results: 461 VW were enrolled (mean age: 29 (SD7.7)). 40 (8.5%) were found to be positive for HIV, 42 (9.1%) for syphilis and 29 (6.3%) for HBV. Older age (> 34 years vs < 24 years; OR 4.95, 95% CI: 1.7 to 14); having done the last HIV test > 12m before the interview (OR 5.21, 95% CI: 2.3 to 11); suspecting the male sexual partner to be HIV+ (OR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1 to 4.3); not having used condom at first sexual intercourse (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.3 to 5.15) were all factors associated with an incident HIV diagnosis. Conclusions: In this cohort, HIV prevalence is high and sexual high-risk behaviors are multifaced; future interventions will be aimed to reduce HIV/STIs misconceptions and to promote a sense of community, self-determination and female empowerment.
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spelling doaj-art-b0c917ca73a64d90adecbfa77cc983322025-08-20T02:08:34ZengPAGEPress PublicationsMediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases2035-30062021-08-0113110.4084/MJHID.2021.055HIGH-RISK SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG VULNERABLE WOMEN IN NORTHERN UGANDA, BASELINE RESULTS FROM PE ATYE KENA COHORT STUDYFrancesco Vladimiro Segala0Giulia Micheli1Cristina Seguiti2Andrea Pierantozzi3Robert Lukwiya4Benson Odong5Francesco Aloi6Emmanuel Ochola7Roberto Cauda8Katleen De gaetano Donati9Antonella Cingolani10a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:78:"Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Infectious Diseases Unit, Rome, Italy";}Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Infectious Diseases Unit, 00168, Roma, ItalyCatholic University of the Sacred Heart, Infectious Diseases Unit, 00168, Roma, ItalyAIFA-Italian Medicine Agency, 00187, Roma, ItalyComboni Samaritans of Gulu Health Center, 701102, Gulu, UgandaMedical Teams International, Kitgum, Uganda, Università Cattolica S. Cuore, Special Medical Pathology, 00168, Roma, Italy, Lacor Hospital, Department of HIV, Epidemiology and Documentation, Gulu, UgandaCatholic University of the Sacred Heart, Infectious Diseases Unit, 00168, Roma, ItalyCatholic University of the Sacred Heart, Infectious Diseases Unit, 00168, Roma, ItalyCatholic University of the Sacred Heart, Infectious Diseases Unit, 00168, Roma, ItalyBackground and Objectives: HIV infection among vulnerable women (VW) has been attributed to unfavourable power relations and limited access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. Aim of this work is to report sexually-transmitted infections (STI) prevalence and to assess the impact of HIV awareness, demographic and socio-behavioural factors in a rural area of northern Uganda. Methods: Pe Atye Kena is a longitudinal cohort, intervention study enrolling young women aged 18-49 years old living in the municipality of Gulu, Uganda. HIV, HBV, syphilis serologic tests and electronic comprehensive questionnaire on sexual high-risk behaviours were administered. Statistical analysis was performed by uni- and multivariable regression models. Results: 461 VW were enrolled (mean age: 29 (SD7.7)). 40 (8.5%) were found to be positive for HIV, 42 (9.1%) for syphilis and 29 (6.3%) for HBV. Older age (> 34 years vs < 24 years; OR 4.95, 95% CI: 1.7 to 14); having done the last HIV test > 12m before the interview (OR 5.21, 95% CI: 2.3 to 11); suspecting the male sexual partner to be HIV+ (OR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1 to 4.3); not having used condom at first sexual intercourse (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.3 to 5.15) were all factors associated with an incident HIV diagnosis. Conclusions: In this cohort, HIV prevalence is high and sexual high-risk behaviors are multifaced; future interventions will be aimed to reduce HIV/STIs misconceptions and to promote a sense of community, self-determination and female empowerment.https://www.mjhid.org/index.php/mjhid/article/view/4670Sexually transmitted infectionsFemale empowermentUgandaHIV
spellingShingle Francesco Vladimiro Segala
Giulia Micheli
Cristina Seguiti
Andrea Pierantozzi
Robert Lukwiya
Benson Odong
Francesco Aloi
Emmanuel Ochola
Roberto Cauda
Katleen De gaetano Donati
Antonella Cingolani
HIGH-RISK SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG VULNERABLE WOMEN IN NORTHERN UGANDA, BASELINE RESULTS FROM PE ATYE KENA COHORT STUDY
Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases
Sexually transmitted infections
Female empowerment
Uganda
HIV
title HIGH-RISK SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG VULNERABLE WOMEN IN NORTHERN UGANDA, BASELINE RESULTS FROM PE ATYE KENA COHORT STUDY
title_full HIGH-RISK SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG VULNERABLE WOMEN IN NORTHERN UGANDA, BASELINE RESULTS FROM PE ATYE KENA COHORT STUDY
title_fullStr HIGH-RISK SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG VULNERABLE WOMEN IN NORTHERN UGANDA, BASELINE RESULTS FROM PE ATYE KENA COHORT STUDY
title_full_unstemmed HIGH-RISK SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG VULNERABLE WOMEN IN NORTHERN UGANDA, BASELINE RESULTS FROM PE ATYE KENA COHORT STUDY
title_short HIGH-RISK SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG VULNERABLE WOMEN IN NORTHERN UGANDA, BASELINE RESULTS FROM PE ATYE KENA COHORT STUDY
title_sort high risk sexual behaviours among vulnerable women in northern uganda baseline results from pe atye kena cohort study
topic Sexually transmitted infections
Female empowerment
Uganda
HIV
url https://www.mjhid.org/index.php/mjhid/article/view/4670
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