The role of education and income as protective factors against intimate partner violence and HIV exposure among Kenyan women.

Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health problem that impacts approximately one in three women worldwide in their life-time. The purpose of the study was to explore the lived experiences of women teachers and violence in Kenya. It also explores the intersection between intimate partner violence, HIV risk, and gender inequality. Method: Data were collected through two focus groups of a total of 15 women teachers. We recruited women ages 21-44 from two geographically diverse urban and rural schools. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis method to identify text themes and meaning patterns. Results: Three contextual experiences emerged: socio-cultural influences of gender norms, masculinity and patriarchy; uneven power dynamics; and institutionalized gender inequality. Discussion: Findings suggest that education alone is not sufficient to end GBV. Comprehensive and gender transformative governmental policy approaches are needed to mitigate GBV in Kenya.

Exploring factors associated with HIV secondary stigma among adolescents and young adults in Uganda: A cross-sectional study.

HIV stigma is a public health problem. It refers to irrational judgments and attitudes towards people living with or at risk of HIV. Among adolescents and young adults living with HIV, stigma can negatively influence help-seeking decisions and impede HIV prevention efforts. The present study aimed to explore social-ecological factors associated with HIV-related stigma using a cross-sectional study design. Data used were from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey [UDHS] of young men (n = 2214) and young women (n = 8058) aged 15-24 years. We conducted a gender disaggregated multivariable logistic regression to understand social-ecological factors associated with HIV secondary stigma. An overwhelming majority of participants (85%) indicated that secondary HIV stigma was associated with factors such as gender, ethnicity, education, wealth, cultural attitudes, and testing experiences. The study concludes that many young people living with HIV experience stigma in Uganda. Therefore, the government of Uganda, health professionals, and researchers should consider developing interventions that address HIV stigma and discrimination. Supportive programmes, such as peer support services and community-based interventions, are needed to help young people living with HIV learn to cope with the illness.

Hegemonic Masculinity Attitudes Toward Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Among a Sample of College Students in Northern and Southern Sierra Leone.

Introduction: Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) is a public health problem. Approximately three million women and girls undergo FGM/C every year, worldwide. The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of education on hegemonic masculinity attitudes between male and female students and whether parental education differentiated the groups. Method: A cross-section design was used. Data were collected through a survey response from 338 students in May 2017. The data were analyzed using chi-square and correlational tests. Results: Education did not change the attitudes of students toward FGM/C (χ2 = 3.64, p = .16); however, parental education had an influence on both male and female students' attitudes toward FGM/C. Discussion: The study suggests that education alone may not be sufficient to end FGM/C practice. A comprehensive community-led strategy incorporating culturally congruent health care to involve multiple parties of health professionals, religious leaders, government, and policy makers may be needed to address the problem.

The association between school bullying victimization and substance use among adolescents in Malawi: the mediating effect of loneliness.

Background and objectives Research has shown an increased prevalence of substance use among adolescents in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Peer affiliation, bullying, and psychological stress are significantly associated with substance use. This study empirically tested theoretical frameworks linking peer affiliation, bullying victimization, loneliness and substance use (specifically tobacco or alcohol use) among adolescents. Materials and methods Data were obtained from the 2009 Malawi Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) with a representative sample of 2359 students aged 13-17 years in Malawi, Sub-Saharan Africa. Missing data were handled using multiple imputation. The study conducted path analyses using Mplus to test the conceptual models of tobacco use and alcohol use. Results The results showed that loneliness partially mediated the association between bullying victimization and tobacco use in the first model, as well as the relationship between bullying victimization and alcohol use in the second model. Results indicated statistically significant indirect paths from bullying victimization to tobacco use and alcohol use through the mediation of loneliness. However, peer affiliation did not directly predict bullying victimization in the two path models; it directly predicted tobacco use only. Conclusions These findings have important implications in early intervention for health practitioners in school and mental health settings to prevent feelings of loneliness and substance use among adolescents who have experience with bullying victimization but no experience with depression, alcohol use or tobacco use.