| dc.description.abstract | Introduction
A few recent studies try to differentiate survival sex from other forms of sex that have a
transactional component. Adolescents especially those ages 15-19 are slightly more likely
than older women to engage in survival sex. It is thus essential that we have a better
understanding of adolescents‟ engagement in survival sex because they are the pillars of
tomorrow‟s Uganda and the future of every society with power of 1.8 Billion.
Methods
The study was exploratory in nature and qualitative in approach. It intended to understand the
holistic meaning, drivers and the multi-faceted sexual and reproductive health risky
experiences involved in survival sex and possibly established vital knowledge that will
support all parties involved in developing evidence based interventions to help adolescents
involved in survival sex.
Results
It was discovered that survival sex had a low degree of transactional sex in which adolescent
girls' exchange sex for basic necessities of life. Most of the drivers were social economic and
included family dysfunction, economic disparities, peer pressure and gender inequalities
prompting adolescent girls to engage in survival sex for economic reasons. Risky behaviors
such as multiple, concurrent and cross-generation were revealed and these turned out to cause
unsafe sex practices which increased sexual and reproductive health disparities which were
vital in proposing necessary recommendations for improving sexual and reproductive health.
Discussion
Discussion examined past theories on drivers, risky perceptions and unsafe sex practices
involved in accentuating the economic and survival components in sexual exchange. It was
clear that adolescents were a vulnerable group that required public health interventions.
Fundamental drivers, risky behaviors and unsafe sex practices that were revealed
determined all possible measures fit to reduce survival sex and improve safe sex practices
among adolescents. Recommendations and areas of further study were highlighted in regard to
sexual and reproductive health improvement. | en_US |
