Long term trends in behaviour to protect against adverse reproductive and sexual health outcomes among young single African women.

ABSTRACT:

Background

HIV and unintended pregnancy are major interrelated concerns in sub-Saharan Africa. Focussing on single women aged 15-24 years we assess trends in key behaviours that affect both outcomes.

Methods

We performed a secondary analysis of public-access data sets from 112 surveys from 36 countries in the region, conducted between 1991 and 2015. We examined trends over 20 years in primary abstinence (virginity), secondary abstinence (no sex in past 3 months) among sexually experienced women, current use of modern contraception and condom use at most recent coitus among sexually active women.

Results

Little change occurred in primary or secondary abstinence. Over the 20 year period, contraceptive use in the region rose from 14.7 to 33.4%, with significant increases

SUBMITTER: Ali MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6092855 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature