Multiple sexual relationships on the rise in Wakiso - Study

Wakiso- More than 19 per cent of married women in Wakiso District have had more than seven sexual partners in the last six months, according to a new study by Mildmay Uganda.

The three-year Most at Risk Population Project study, also found that Boda boda riders, sex workers and fish mongers in the district are in multiple sexual relationships.

Of the respondents, 62 per cent had ever been married, of which 45 per cent reported living in a marriage relationship.

A representative sample of 240 ( 60 sex workers, 60 boda boda riders, 60 fish mongers and 60 youth out of school) respondents were selected. 98 per cent of them participated in the study.

Commissioned in February, the study was conducted in five sub-counties of Bussi, Wakiso Town Council, Makindye Sabagabo, Nangabo and Nansana Town Council.

From the findings, it was evident that key populations, especially boda boda riders and fishermongers, may have higher chances of contracting and transmitting HIV/Aids due to the nature of their lifestyles.

Dr Barbara Mukasa, the executive director of Mildmay Uganda, said the project is aimed at contributing to the reduction of new HIV infections among the sampled populations through mobilisation for HIV prevention, care, treatment and referral services.

In regard to condom use, the study reveals that boda boda riders represent the least number of people who used a condom in their last sexual encounter at 67 per cent, followed by fishermongers at 63 per cent. Youth out of school scored 42 per cent, while sex workers posted 31 per cent.

The 2012 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey report found that a quarter of all youths in the country, between ages 20 to 29, have more than one sexual partners.