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

Elizabeth Kemigisha, Viola N. Nyakato, Katharine Bruce, Gad Ndaruhutse Ruzaaza, Wendo Mlahagwa, Anna B. Ninsiima, Gily Coene, Els Leye and Kristien Michielsen
Additional contact information
Elizabeth Kemigisha: Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara 1410, Uganda
Viola N. Nyakato: Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara 1410, Uganda
Katharine Bruce: Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara 1410, Uganda
Gad Ndaruhutse Ruzaaza: Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara 1410, Uganda
Wendo Mlahagwa: Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara 1410, Uganda
Anna B. Ninsiima: RHEA, Centre of Expertise on Gender, Diversity and Intersectionality, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Gily Coene: RHEA, Centre of Expertise on Gender, Diversity and Intersectionality, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Els Leye: International Centre for Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Kristien Michielsen: International Centre for Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-10

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: self-esteem; gender norms; body image; young adolescents; Uganda; sexuality; sexual health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/2/372/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/2/372/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:372-:d:132644

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().