Exploring the Protective Value of Using Sexting for Condom Negotiation on Condom Use Determinants and Practices Among Forcibly Displaced Adolescents in the Slums of Kampala, Uganda

Overview

Journal AIDS Behav

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2022 Apr 27

PMID 35476165

Authors

Moses Okumu

Carmen H Logie

David Ansong

Simon Mwima

Robert Hakiza

Peter A Newman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Given the global growth of adolescent texting, we evaluate texting-based sexual communication as a potential site for interventions encouraging condom use cascades, particularly among displaced adolescents-a population with disproportionate levels of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. With data from 242 forcibly displaced adolescents in the slums of Kampala, Uganda, we used path analysis to examine pathways from gender/dating relationship to condom determinant (knowledge of where to access condoms) and practices (access/use of condoms), through sexting-based condom negotiation, controlling for sexting practices. We found direct pathways from gender (boys vs. girls) and from dating relationship (dating vs. not) to condom determinant. Sexting-based condom negotiation partially mediated the pathway from gender/dating relationship to condom determinant, and fully mediated the pathways from gender/dating relationship to condom practices. Future digital sexual health interventions should consider the utility of texting-based applications in promoting knowledge and use of condoms among adolescents.

Citing Articles

A syndemic of inequitable gender norms and intersecting stigmas on condom self-efficacy and practices among displaced youth living in urban slums in Uganda: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Okumu M, Logie C, Chitwanga A, Hakiza R, Kyambadde P Confl Health. 2023; 17(1):38.

PMID: 37599369 PMC: 10440931. DOI: 10.1186/s13031-023-00531-y.

Kukaa Salama (Staying Safe): a pre-post trial of an interactive informational mobile health intervention for increasing COVID-19 prevention practices with urban refugee youth in Uganda.

Logie C, Okumu M, Berry I, Kortenaar J, Hakiza R, Musoke D Int Health. 2023; 16(1):107-116.

PMID: 37458073 PMC: 10759295. DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihad051.

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