Risky sexual behaviours among Ugandan university students: A pilot study exploring the role of adverse childhood experiences, and family environment. Data set

Background: University students are known to have risky
sexual behaviours (RSBs). The severity of the RSB is influenced by many factors
including the family environment, exposure to adverse childhood events (ACEs),
and the use of addictive substances. However, there is limited information
about the influence of ACEs and family environment of these students in low-and
medium-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, a pilot study was conducted among
university students from a LMIC, Uganda. Methods:
The present study comprised a cross-sectional online survey among Ugandan
students at a public university (N=316; 75% male; 52.2% aged between 18-22
years). The survey included questions relating to sociodemographic information,
family environmental information, the Sexual Risk Survey (SRS), and the Adverse
Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ). Results: Over half (53.8%) reported
having had sexual intercourse. Males reported over two
times higher mean total SRS score compared to females (χ2=4.06, p=0.044). Approximately one-sixth of the sample had drunk alcohol
or used illicit psychoactive substances in the past six months (16.1%). Among
four regression analysis models, sociodemographic variables, psychoactive
substance use history (past six months), and ACEs, all individually explained
approximately 7% variance in total SRS score, with the final model predicting
24% of the variance in RSB. Conclusions:
This pilot study demonstrated a gender disparity with males involved in more
RSB than females, as has been reported in most RSB studies. Family environment,
sociodemographic factors, substance use, and ACEs all appear to play a
contributory role in RSB among university students. These findings benefit
other researchers exploring factors associated with RSB among university
students and will help in the implementation of initiatives to reduce RSB to
protect students from unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and
HIV/AIDS.