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Background: It has been established that alcohol consumption at any point in time is associated with having multiple sexual partners. However, little have been done to determine the association between hazardous alcohol use and multiple sexual partners especially in adult population (15 years of age and above). This study aimed at determining the effect of hazardous alcohol use on having multiple sexual partners.
Methods: We used secondary data (Sero7) collected from a community – based cross-sectional study conducted in Kisesa Ward, Magu District of Mwanza Region from 7th December 2012 to 31st July 2013, recruiting all adults aged 15 years or more. Data were analyzed using STATA version 13 software. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with multiple sexual partners adjusted for confounding, with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) used to measure the strength of association between independent variables and multiple sexual partners.
Results: The overall prevalence of multiple sexual partners was 11%; 26.6% among males and 1.7% among females. Adjusted for socio-demographic and behavioral factors, hazardous alcohol use (OR=1.93, 95%CI 1.37 – 2.73) increased the odds of having MSP. With increased age, the odds decreased. Females had lower odds of having MSP compared to males (OR=0.05, 95% CI 0.04 – 0.07) while being married also showed a protective effect (OR=0.59, 95%CI 0.46 – 0.77). Occupation, area of residence and age at first sex were also associated with MSP. With delayed age at firs sex, the odds of having MSP decreased.
Conclusion & Recommendation: MSP is still prevalent in Tanzania with more males than females reporting higher number of sexual partners. HAU is associated with higher odds of having MSP. Socio-demographic and behaviour factors are associated with MSP. Behavioral change interventions in Tanzania may also be focused at addressing the underlying factors in the rural environment where drinking among other risk behaviors are becoming a common practice.
Key words: Multiple sexual partners, Risky sexual behaviors, Alcohol consumption, Hazardous alcohol use, Prevalence, Risk factors. |
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