1 research outputs found
Knowledge of HIV, Sexual Behaviour and Correlates of Risky Sex Among Street Children in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo
Context: Homeless children are at risk of getting many diseases,
including sexually transmitted infections (STI). The number of street
children is on the rise in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),
while very little is known about their health problems. Objectives:
To determine knowledge of HIV (transmission and prevention means),
sexual activity, exposure to HIV-prevention services, and to identify
correlates of risky sexual behaviour (not having used a condom at first
or last sexual encounter and/or having multiple sexual partners over a
12-month period) among street children in Kinshasa. Results: At the
time of the survey, most participants (85.8%, 95% CI = 83.5-88.1) were
sexually experienced and 55.8% had their first sexual intercourse when
they were already living on the streets. The median age at first sexual
activity was 14.3 years for males and 13.5 years for females. Compared
to males (median number of sexual partners = 1), females tended to be
more involved with multiple sexual partners (median = 12). Condoms were
used less at the fist sexual encounter (20.2%; 95% CI =17.3-23.1) and
the pattern of condom use depended on the type of sexual partners
(61.1% at last sexual encounter with a paid/paying partner and 23.1% at
last sexual encounter with a non-paid/non-paying partner). In males,
sleeping in a NGO-provided night shelter (OR= 0.47; 95% CI =
0.27–0.79), and having had the first sexual intercourse while
living on the streets (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.35-0.88) were protective
of risky sexual behaviour, while a history of drug use (OR = 3.00; 95%
CI = 1.46–6.18), and being aged 20 to 24 years (OR = 1.59; 95%
1.00–2.55) increased the likelihood of displaying risky sexual
behaviour. In females, not knowing where to get a condom (OR = 0.04;
95% CI = 0.005–0.29), having started sexual activity when living
on the streets (OR = 0.10; 95% CI = 0.01–0.73) and not having an
income-generating activity (OR = 0.09; 95% CI = 0.01–0.44) were
protective of risky sexual behaviour. Conclusion: Street children
need to be regarded as a high-risk group for acquiring HIV. The
potential benefit of providing homeless youth with night-shelters
should be explored more since this could be an opportunity to integrate
risk-reduction programmes that take into account all problematic
behaviors such as risky sexual behaviour and drug use