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Food insecurity, sexual risk taking, and sexual victimization in Ghanaian adolescents and young South African adults

Author

Listed:
  • Rainier Masa

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    University of Johannesburg)

  • Lauren Graham

    (University of Johannesburg)

  • Zoheb Khan

    (University of Johannesburg)

  • Gina Chowa

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    University of Johannesburg)

  • Leila Patel

    (University of Johannesburg)

Abstract

Objectives The objectives of this study were to examine whether food insecurity is associated with sexual risk taking and victimization in young people (aged 16–24); and to investigate whether the relationship of food insecurity with sexual risk taking and victimization is moderated by gender. Methods Cross-sectional data were obtained in 2014 from a sample of Ghanaian adolescents (n = 773) and in 2015 from young South African adults (n = 823). We used multilevel logistic regression given the study’s binary outcome and clustered data. We tested a moderation effect of gender by including an interaction between gender and food insecurity. Results Food insecurity was highly prevalent (72% in Ghana and 83% in South Africa). Food insecurity was significantly associated with unwanted sexual contact among Ghanaian adolescents (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02, 1.08) and age-disparate sex among young South African adults (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00, 1.06). Results indicated no moderating effect of gender. Conclusions Our findings underscore the importance of food access on young people’s sexual health, regardless of gender. Prevention efforts may be more relevant when integrated with food security interventions that target vulnerable adolescents and young adults, irrespective of gender.

Suggested Citation

  • Rainier Masa & Lauren Graham & Zoheb Khan & Gina Chowa & Leila Patel, 2019. "Food insecurity, sexual risk taking, and sexual victimization in Ghanaian adolescents and young South African adults," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(2), pages 153-163, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:64:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s00038-018-1155-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-018-1155-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stoebenau, Kirsten & Heise, Lori & Wamoyi, Joyce & Bobrova, Natalia, 2016. "Revisiting the understanding of “transactional sex” in sub-Saharan Africa: A review and synthesis of the literature," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 186-197.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Cristian Alcocer-Bruno & Rosario Ferrer-Cascales & Nicolás Ruiz-Robledillo & Miriam Sánchez-SanSegundo & Ana Zaragoza-Martí, 2020. "Personal and Lifestyle Determinants of HIV Transmission Risk in Spanish University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-17, November.

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