Adolescents' Sexual Wellbeing in Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Body Image, Self-Esteem and Gender Equitable Norms.

Publisher: MDPI Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 101238455 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1660-4601 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 16604601 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int J Environ Res Public Health Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: Basel : MDPI, c2004-

Gender Identity* ; Self Concept*; Body Image/*psychology ; Child Welfare/*psychology ; Sexual Behavior/*psychology ; Sexuality/*psychology; Adolescent ; Child ; Child Welfare/statistics & numerical data ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data ; Sex Education ; Sex Factors ; Sexual Behavior/statistics & numerical data ; Uganda ; Urban Population/statistics & numerical data

Measures of sexual wellbeing and positive aspects of sexuality in the World Health Organization definition for sexual health are rarely studied and remain poorly understood, especially among adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to assess sexual wellbeing in its broad sense-i.e., body image, self-esteem, and gender equitable norms-and associated factors in young adolescents in Uganda. A cross-sectional survey of adolescents ages 10-14 years in schools was carried out between June and July 2016. Among 1096 adolescents analyzed, the median age was 12 (Inter-Quartile Range (IQR): 11, 13) and 58% were female. Self-esteem and body image scores were high with median 24 (IQR: 22, 26, possible range: 7-28) and median 22 (IQR: 19, 24, possible range: 5-25) respectively. Gender equitable norms mean score was 28.1 (SD 5.2: possible range 11-44). We noted high scores for self-esteem and body image but moderate scores on gender equitable norms. Girls had higher scores compared to boys for all outcomes. A higher age and being sexually active were associated with lower scores on gender equitable norms. Gender equitable norms scores decreased with increasing age of adolescents. Comprehensive and timely sexuality education programs focusing on gender differences and norms are recommended.
Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Keywords: Uganda; body image; gender norms; self-esteem; sexual health; sexuality; young adolescents

Date Created: 20180223 Date Completed: 20181126 Latest Revision: 20181126

20231215

PMC5858441

10.3390/ijerph15020372

29470388