Prevalence of substance use and correlates of multiple substance use among school-going adolescents in Botswana

The purpose of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of substance use and correlates of multiple substance use among adolescents in Botswana. The study was a cross-sectional study in which a random sample of 3,763 students aged 10 to 19 years. A survey questionnaire was self-administered using a personal digital assistant in 15 education districts of Botswana. Bivariate and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to analyse the data. The study results indicate that the lifetime prevalence was 18.1% for tobacco use and 15.9% for alcohol use. The multiple substance use among adolescents in descending order were: alcohol and tobacco (42.5%); illicit drugs and tobacco (26.6%); alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs (18.7%); and illicit drugs and alcohol (12.3%). Male adolescents were more likely than their female counterparts to have experienced multiple substance use of drugs and alcohol (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3-3.3); alcohol, tobacco and drugs (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.7-3.4), tobacco and alcohol (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.6-2.8) and illicit drugs and tobacco (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.9-2.3). Lifetime use of habitforming substance and multiple substance use were common in Botswana and as such require immediate programme intervention.Keywords: Smoking, drinking, drug prevalence, multiple substance use, adolescents, Botswan

Factors associated with acceptability of child circumcision in Botswana -- a cross sectional survey

Abstract Background Safe male child circumcision has been recently adopted as a potential strategy to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission in later life in Botswana. Methods Data used was derived from a cross-sectional survey, the Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS) IV, conducted in 2013. A total sample of 7984 respondents in ages 15–64 years who had successfully completed the individual questionnaire during the survey were selected and included for analysis. Both descriptive and multivariable analyses were used to explore factors associated with acceptability of child circumcision. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22 program. Results Results indicate that about 84 % of participants said they would circumcise their male children aged 18 years and below, while 93 % were aware of the safe male circumcision program. Bivariate analyses results show that acceptability of child circumcision was significantly associated with sex, age, education, religion, residence, HIV status of the parent, fathers circumcision status, father's intention to circumcise and parent's knowledge about the safe male circumcision program. Multivariable analyses results indicate positive association between respondent's HIV positive status (OR, 3.5), Men's circumcision status (OR, 3.7), men's intention to circumcise (OR, 9.3) and acceptability of child circumcision. Conclusion Results of this study indicate some relatively high acceptability levels for child circumcision. Some individual behavioural factors influencing acceptability of child circumcision were also identified. This study provides a proper understanding of factors associated with acceptability of child circumcision which will ultimately enhance the successful roll-out of the school going children circumcision program in Botswana

Sexuality Education and Men’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Practices in a high HIV Prevalence Setting: Does Exposure to Sexuality Education Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes in Botswana?

Exposure to sexuality education is expected to have a positive effect on an individual’s sexual and HIV risk practices and behaviors in later life. This paper uses data from the 2007 Botswana Family Health survey (BFHS-2007) to investigate the association between exposure to sexuality education in schools and men’s sexual and reproductive health practices. The BFHS-2007 sampled 4030 men between ages of 12-29 years, and solicited responses on a wide range of issues, including exposure to sexuality education, sexual and reproductive practices; fertility as well as partner characteristics. About 82% of men were exposed to sexuality education, of which silightly more than 50% have had sexual initiation. A high percentage of respondents who have not received sexuality education would have not used a condom at sexual debut and would have desired a child. The paper concludes that if introduced early, sexuality education improves life skills in sexual initiation, condom use and childbearin