Sexual behaviors and factors associated with consistent condom use among young male artisanal miners in Kassanda District, Uganda.

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is a significant source of income for tens of millions of people worldwide. Consistent condom use is pivotal in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other STIs. This study assessed sexual behaviors and factors associated with consistent condom use among young male artisanal miners in Kassanda District, Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 304 miners aged 15-24 years. Data -analysis included frequency distributions, chi-squared tests, and binary logistic regression. 89% had sexual intercourse in the past year, 55% had multiple partners, 11% engaged in transactional sex, and only 42% used condoms consistently. Married/cohabiting young men (OR=0.41; CI=0.19-0.87), those with a neutral attitude towards condom use (OR=0.30; CI=0.11-0.85), and those with only their mothers as parents (OR=0.37; CI=0.19-0.73) were less likely to use condoms consistently. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions promoting condom use among married young men and those raised by single mothers to reduce the risk of STI transmission.

L'exploitation minière artisanale et à petite échelle (ASM) constitue une source de revenus importante pour des dizaines de millions de personnes dans le monde. L'utilisation systématique du préservatif est essentielle à la prévention du VIH/SIDA et d'autres IST. Cette étude a évalué les comportements sexuels et les facteurs associés à l'utilisation systématique du préservatif chez les jeunes mineurs artisanaux du district de Kassanda, en Ouganda. Une enquête transversale a été menée auprès de 304 mineurs âgés de 15 à 24 ans. L'analyse des données comprenait des distributions de fréquences, des tests du chi carré et une régression logistique binaire. 89 % ont eu des rapports sexuels au cours de l'année écoulée, 55 % ont eu plusieurs partenaires, 11 % se sont livrés à des relations sexuelles transactionnelles et seulement 42 % ont utilisé des préservatifs de manière constante. Jeunes hommes mariés/cohabitants (OR=0,41 ; IC=0,19-0,87), ceux ayant une attitude neutre à l'égard de l'utilisation du préservatif (OR=0,30 ; IC=0,11-0,85) et ceux dont la mère est seule comme parent (OR=0,37 ; IC=0,19-0,73) étaient moins susceptibles d'utiliser régulièrement des préservatifs. L'étude souligne la nécessité d'interventions ciblées promouvant l'utilisation du préservatif parmi les jeunes hommes mariés et ceux élevés par des mères célibataires afin de réduire le risque de transmission des IST.

Exploring adolescent engagement in sexual and reproductive health research in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda: A scoping review.

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) in East Africa has prioritized research on the barriers to care, communication, and ASRH knowledge, attitudes, and practices. However, there is little research examining the extent to which meaningful adolescent engagement in research is achieved in practice and how this influences the evidence available to inform ASRH services. This review offers a critical step towards understanding current approaches to adolescent engagement in ASRH research and identifying opportunities to build a strengthened evidence base with adolescent voices at the centre. This scoping review is based on Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework, employing a keyword search of four databases via OVID: Medline, Global Health, Embase and PsycINFO. Two reviewers screened title, abstract and full text to select articles examining ASRH in Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda, published between 2000 and 2020. After articles were selected, data was extracted, synthesized, and thematically organized to highlight emerging themes and potential opportunities for further research. The search yielded 1201 results, 34 of which were included in the final review. Results highlight the methods used to gather adolescent perspectives of ASRH (qualitative), the content of those perspectives (knowledge, sources of information, gaps in information and adolescent friendly services), and the overall narratives that frame discussions of ASRH (risky sexual behaviour, stigma, and gender norms). Findings indicate the extent of adolescent engagement in ASRH research is limited, resulting in a lack of comprehensive evidence, consistent challenges with stigma, little information on holistic concepts and a narrow framing of ASRH. In conclusion, there is opportunity for more meaningful engagement of adolescents in ASRH research. This engagement can be achieved by involving adolescents more comprehensively throughout the research cycle and by expanding the range of ASRH topics explored, as identified by adolescents.

Barriers and facilitators to access and uptake of intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine among pregnant women in Nigeria: a scoping review.

Background: Malaria in pregnancy is a significant public health concern in Nigeria. It threatens pregnant women and their unborn babies and undermines the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3. The World Health Organization has recommended intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine [IPTp-SP] for its control, but there are challenges to its access and uptake. Methods: Using the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the cascade of care model, we conducted a scoping review to investigate barriers and facilitators of IPTp-SP access and uptake, including their influence on pregnant women's health-seeking behaviour for the control of malaria in pregnancy in Nigeria. We searched seven scientific databases for papers published from 2005 to date. Results: We included a total of 31 out of 2149 articles in the review. Poor provider knowledge of the IPTp-SP protocol and lack of essential commodities for sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine administration in clinics are significant barriers to IPTp-SP use. Staff shortages and poor remuneration of health care professionals are obstacles to IPTp-SP utilisation. Conclusions: To improve IPTp-SP access and uptake, the government should ensure a continuous supply to clinics and support the employment of additional health care professionals who should be well paid and trained on using the IPTp-SP protocol.