Adolescents’ Sexual Wellbeing in Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Body Image, Self-Esteem and Gender Equitable Norms

Elizabeth Kemigisha; Viola Nyakato; Katharine Bruce; Gad Ndaruhutse Ruzaaza; wendo Mlahagwa; Anna Bams Ninsiima; Gily Coene; Els Margaretha Leye; Kristien Michielsen

doi:10.3390/ijerph15020372

Adolescents’ Sexual Wellbeing in Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Body Image, Self-Esteem and Gender Equitable Norms

Elizabeth Kemigisha, Viola Nyakato, Katharine Bruce, Gad Ndaruhutse Ruzaaza, wendo Mlahagwa, Anna Bams Ninsiima, Gily Coene, Els Margaretha Leye, Kristien Michielsen

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Abstract: Measures of sexual wellbeing and positive aspects of sexuality in the World Health
Organization definition for sexual health are rarely studied and remain poorly understood, especially
among adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to assess sexual wellbeing
in its broad sense—i.e., body image, self-esteem, and gender equitable norms—and associated factors
in young adolescents in Uganda. A cross-sectional survey of adolescents ages 10–14 years in schools
was carried out between June and July 2016. Among 1096 adolescents analyzed, the median age
was 12 (Inter-Quartile Range (IQR): 11, 13) and 58% were female. Self-esteem and body image
scores were high with median 24 (IQR: 22, 26, possible range: 7–28) and median 22 (IQR: 19, 24,
possible range: 5–25) respectively. Gender equitable norms mean score was 28.1 (SD 5.2: possible
range 11–44). We noted high scores for self-esteem and body image but moderate scores on gender
equitable norms. Girls had higher scores compared to boys for all outcomes. A higher age and being
sexually active were associated with lower scores on gender equitable norms. Gender equitable
norms scores decreased with increasing age of adolescents. Comprehensive and timely sexuality
education programs focusing on gender differences and norms are recommended.

Original language	English
Article number	372
Pages (from-to)	1-10
Number of pages	10
Journal	International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume	15
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15020372
Publication status	Published - 22 Feb 2018

Keywords

Body image
Gender norms
Self-esteem
Sexual health
Sexuality
Uganda
Young adolescents
Child Welfare/psychology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Male
Gender Identity
Rural Population/statistics & numerical data
Body Image/psychology
Self Concept
Adolescent
Sex Factors
Sexuality/psychology
Female
Sexual Behavior/psychology
Child
Urban Population/statistics & numerical data
Sex Education

Access to Document

10.3390/ijerph15020372

Cite this

Kemigisha, E., Nyakato, V., Bruce, K., Ruzaaza, G. N., Mlahagwa, W., Ninsiima, A. B., Coene, G., Leye, E. M., & Michielsen, K. (2018). Adolescents’ Sexual Wellbeing in Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Body Image, Self-Esteem and Gender Equitable Norms. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(2), 1-10. [372]. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15020372

Kemigisha, Elizabeth ; Nyakato, Viola ; Bruce, Katharine ; Ruzaaza, Gad Ndaruhutse ; Mlahagwa, wendo ; Ninsiima, Anna Bams ; Coene, Gily ; Leye, Els Margaretha ; Michielsen, Kristien. / Adolescents’ Sexual Wellbeing in Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Body Image, Self-Esteem and Gender Equitable Norms. In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018 ; Vol. 15, No. 2. pp. 1-10.

@article{9d8cbd54842142bbacc2759d1ccd1c46,

title = "Adolescents{\textquoteright} Sexual Wellbeing in Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Body Image, Self-Esteem and Gender Equitable Norms",

abstract = "Abstract: Measures of sexual wellbeing and positive aspects of sexuality in the World HealthOrganization definition for sexual health are rarely studied and remain poorly understood, especiallyamong adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to assess sexual wellbeingin its broad sense—i.e., body image, self-esteem, and gender equitable norms—and associated factorsin young adolescents in Uganda. A cross-sectional survey of adolescents ages 10–14 years in schoolswas carried out between June and July 2016. Among 1096 adolescents analyzed, the median agewas 12 (Inter-Quartile Range (IQR): 11, 13) and 58% were female. Self-esteem and body imagescores were high with median 24 (IQR: 22, 26, possible range: 7–28) and median 22 (IQR: 19, 24,possible range: 5–25) respectively. Gender equitable norms mean score was 28.1 (SD 5.2: possiblerange 11–44). We noted high scores for self-esteem and body image but moderate scores on genderequitable norms. Girls had higher scores compared to boys for all outcomes. A higher age and beingsexually active were associated with lower scores on gender equitable norms. Gender equitablenorms scores decreased with increasing age of adolescents. Comprehensive and timely sexualityeducation programs focusing on gender differences and norms are recommended.",

keywords = "Body image, Gender norms, Self-esteem, Sexual health, Sexuality, Uganda, Young adolescents, Child Welfare/psychology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Humans, Male, Gender Identity, Rural Population/statistics & numerical data, Body Image/psychology, Self Concept, Adolescent, Sex Factors, Sexuality/psychology, Female, Sexual Behavior/psychology, Child, Urban Population/statistics & numerical data, Sex Education",

author = "Elizabeth Kemigisha and Viola Nyakato and Katharine Bruce and Ruzaaza, {Gad Ndaruhutse} and wendo Mlahagwa and Ninsiima, {Anna Bams} and Gily Coene and Leye, {Els Margaretha} and Kristien Michielsen",

year = "2018",

month = feb,

day = "22",

doi = "10.3390/ijerph15020372",

language = "English",

volume = "15",

pages = "1--10",

journal = "International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health",

issn = "1661-7827",

publisher = "Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)",

number = "2",

}

Kemigisha, E, Nyakato, V, Bruce, K, Ruzaaza, GN, Mlahagwa, W, Ninsiima, AB, Coene, G, Leye, EM & Michielsen, K 2018, 'Adolescents’ Sexual Wellbeing in Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Body Image, Self-Esteem and Gender Equitable Norms', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 15, no. 2, 372, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15020372

Adolescents’ Sexual Wellbeing in Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Body Image, Self-Esteem and Gender Equitable Norms. / Kemigisha, Elizabeth; Nyakato, Viola; Bruce, Katharine; Ruzaaza, Gad Ndaruhutse; Mlahagwa, wendo; Ninsiima, Anna Bams; Coene, Gily; Leye, Els Margaretha; Michielsen, Kristien.

In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol. 15, No. 2, 372, 22.02.2018, p. 1-10.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Adolescents’ Sexual Wellbeing in Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Body Image, Self-Esteem and Gender Equitable Norms

AU - Kemigisha, Elizabeth

AU - Nyakato, Viola

AU - Bruce, Katharine

AU - Ruzaaza, Gad Ndaruhutse

AU - Mlahagwa, wendo

AU - Ninsiima, Anna Bams

AU - Coene, Gily

AU - Leye, Els Margaretha

AU - Michielsen, Kristien

PY - 2018/2/22

Y1 - 2018/2/22

N2 - Abstract: Measures of sexual wellbeing and positive aspects of sexuality in the World HealthOrganization definition for sexual health are rarely studied and remain poorly understood, especiallyamong adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to assess sexual wellbeingin its broad sense—i.e., body image, self-esteem, and gender equitable norms—and associated factorsin young adolescents in Uganda. A cross-sectional survey of adolescents ages 10–14 years in schoolswas carried out between June and July 2016. Among 1096 adolescents analyzed, the median agewas 12 (Inter-Quartile Range (IQR): 11, 13) and 58% were female. Self-esteem and body imagescores were high with median 24 (IQR: 22, 26, possible range: 7–28) and median 22 (IQR: 19, 24,possible range: 5–25) respectively. Gender equitable norms mean score was 28.1 (SD 5.2: possiblerange 11–44). We noted high scores for self-esteem and body image but moderate scores on genderequitable norms. Girls had higher scores compared to boys for all outcomes. A higher age and beingsexually active were associated with lower scores on gender equitable norms. Gender equitablenorms scores decreased with increasing age of adolescents. Comprehensive and timely sexualityeducation programs focusing on gender differences and norms are recommended.

AB - Abstract: Measures of sexual wellbeing and positive aspects of sexuality in the World HealthOrganization definition for sexual health are rarely studied and remain poorly understood, especiallyamong adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to assess sexual wellbeingin its broad sense—i.e., body image, self-esteem, and gender equitable norms—and associated factorsin young adolescents in Uganda. A cross-sectional survey of adolescents ages 10–14 years in schoolswas carried out between June and July 2016. Among 1096 adolescents analyzed, the median agewas 12 (Inter-Quartile Range (IQR): 11, 13) and 58% were female. Self-esteem and body imagescores were high with median 24 (IQR: 22, 26, possible range: 7–28) and median 22 (IQR: 19, 24,possible range: 5–25) respectively. Gender equitable norms mean score was 28.1 (SD 5.2: possiblerange 11–44). We noted high scores for self-esteem and body image but moderate scores on genderequitable norms. Girls had higher scores compared to boys for all outcomes. A higher age and beingsexually active were associated with lower scores on gender equitable norms. Gender equitablenorms scores decreased with increasing age of adolescents. Comprehensive and timely sexualityeducation programs focusing on gender differences and norms are recommended.

KW - Body image

KW - Gender norms

KW - Self-esteem

KW - Sexual health

KW - Sexuality

KW - Uganda

KW - Young adolescents

KW - Child Welfare/psychology

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Gender Identity

KW - Rural Population/statistics & numerical data

KW - Body Image/psychology

KW - Self Concept

KW - Adolescent

KW - Sex Factors

KW - Sexuality/psychology

KW - Female

KW - Sexual Behavior/psychology

KW - Child

KW - Urban Population/statistics & numerical data

KW - Sex Education

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85042495919&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3390/ijerph15020372

DO - 10.3390/ijerph15020372

M3 - Article

VL - 15

SP - 1

EP - 10

JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

SN - 1661-7827

IS - 2

M1 - 372

ER -

Adolescents’ Sexual Wellbeing in Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Body Image, Self-Esteem and Gender Equitable Norms

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

IRPCOE1-B: Interdisciplinary Research Programme: Centre of Expertise in Gender, Diversity and Intersectionality

OZR2526: Centre of Expertise Gender, Diversity and Intersectionality

Cite this

Adolescents’ Sexual Wellbeing in Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Body Image, Self-Esteem and Gender Equitable Norms

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

IRPCOE1-B: Interdisciplinary Research Programme: Centre of Expertise in Gender, Diversity and Intersectionality

OZR2526: Centre of Expertise Gender, Diversity and Intersectionality

Cite this