Determinants of HIV risky sexual behaviors among female youth (15-24 years): a secondary analysis of 2010 RDHS data

Abstract

Background: The fight against HIV has proven remarquable progress even though is still a public health concern worldwide.(1) HIV/AIDS pandemic is facilitated by risky behaviors among others: the nonuse of condom, multiple sexual partners, early sex debut expose the individual to the risk of infection. Therefore, for the better understanding of the dynamic of the epidemic, it is important to assess behaviors and to determine relation between different factors and risky behaviors in most at risk groups comprised of youth and more specifically young female. This study aims at identifying determinants of sexual risky behavior in Rwanda among young female. Key findings resulting from the study will inform programs about HIV prevention interventions among this group in general and sexual behaviors in particular among this risky group. Methods: The current study used data from the Rwanda 2010 Demographic and Health Surveys (RDHS), a Cross sectional study, nationally-representative conducted between the year 2009-2010. We performed a secondary data analysis using the RDHS 2010 dataset obtained from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR). We first select our target population with the RDHS 2010 population comprised of female youth 15-24 years who participated in the 2010 RDHS and performed the HIV test during the survey. Analyses have been run and the associations and dependency between variables using univariate and multivariate analysis have been established. Results: Our sample size had 2904 female youth who responded to the DHS interview and got an HIV test during the survey. Findings from the descriptive analysis revealed that the age group 15-19, never married, living in rural areas, richest class, protestant and primary level constituted the majority sub groups in the sample. Clinical and sexual behaviors characteristics demonstrated a majority of the sample was tested for HIV in the past, was negative for HIV test during the survey, had at least one sexual risky behaviour and knew at least one component of HIV comprehensive knowledge. The multivariate analysis using clustered logistic regression demonstrated a strong association between the dependent variable (sexual risky behavior) and wealth index with an OR [CI95%] of 2.467[1.310-4.644], primary education level with iii

an OR [CI95%] of 2.351[1.199-4.613] and secondary education level with an OR [CI95%] of 2.914 [1.0657.974] as well as HIV test result during the survey with an OR [CI95%] of 3.275[1.927-11.56]. Conclusion: Results from this study highlight the importance of education, financial empowerment and previous HIV tests as key determinants of HIV risky behaviors in youth aged 15-24 years. Further study on women empowerment (both education and finance) could contribute to the improvement of self-confidence to say “No” to HIV risky behaviors. In addition, an implementation of a focused health services interventions targeting youth in general and in particular in school could reduce risky behavior among the target group. Keys words: Female youth, HIV risky behaviors, Rwanda