The median age for the study sample (n=8415) was 21 (IQ: 19-23) years (see Table 1). Just over two-thirds (69.5%) of the sample were 20-24 years old. The majority of respondents engaged in risky sexual behaviour with 79.4% using condoms inconsistently in the previous 12 months and just over half (56.1%) having had two or more sexual partners in the previous 12 months. The HIV prevalence was 5.7% among this sample of AGYW, whilst 8.7% self-reported having had a STI in the previous 12 months.
The descriptive statistics were disaggregated according to relationship categories; relationship with a Blesser only (n=86, 1% of total sample); relationship with Blesser and age-disparate partner (n=124, 1.5% of total sample); Age-disparate partner only (n=2474, 29.4% of total sample) and sexually active AGYW who declared they hadn’t been in a relationship in the previous 12 months (n=5731, 68.1% of total sample). The median age was the same in each relationship category (21 years old). AGYW not in a relationship with a Blesser or age disparate partner were more likely to be attending school (76.4%) compared with AGYW engaged in a relationship with a Blesser (63.9%), age-disparate partner (66.6%) and an age-disparate partner and Blesser (60.1%). AGYW who were in a relationship with both a Blesser and an age disparate partner were the most likely (85.9%) of the sample of AGYW to have had 2 or more partners in the previous 12 months and were also more likely (34.8%) to have sexually debuted at 15 years or younger. HIV and STI prevalence were highest (13.1% & 26.8%) amongst AGYW who had been in a relationship with a Blesser and an ADR (see Table 1).
Table 1
Weighted percentages and unweighted counts for the four relationship types by sociodemographic, sexual risk, HIV status and STI status variables.
Variable | Only Blessed | Blessed + age-disp. rel. | Only Age disp. Rel | Not blessed or age disp. but sex active | Total |
N | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % |
Age categories | 12-14 yrs. | 1 | 1.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 25 | 0.8% | 61 | 0.9% | 87 | 0.8% |
15-19 yrs. | 28 | 29.8% | 37 | 27.5% | 676 | 23.9% | 2041 | 32.4% | 2782 | 29.7% |
20-24 yrs. | 57 | 69.0% | 87 | 72.5% | 1773 | 75.4% | 3629 | 66.8% | 5546 | 69.5% |
Median age (IQR) | 86 | 21(19-23) | 124 | 21 (19-22) | 2474 | 21 (20-23) | 5731 | 21 (19-22) | 8415 | 21 (19-23) |
Currently attending school | No | 8 | 36.1% | 10 | 39.9% | 155 | 33.4% | 346 | 23.6% | 519 | 26.3% |
Yes | 13 | 63.9% | 16 | 60.1% | 295 | 66.6% | 1041 | 76.4% | 1365 | 73.7% |
In the past 4 weeks, how often go to sleep hungry | Often | 2 | 1.9% | 4 | 2.8% | 82 | 3.4% | 170 | 3.1% | 258 | 3.1% |
Sometimes | 12 | 14.3% | 16 | 14.3% | 246 | 10.5% | 507 | 8.9% | 781 | 9.5% |
Rarely | 5 | 5.3% | 20 | 15.1% | 171 | 7.2% | 458 | 8.4% | 654 | 8.1% |
Never | 59 | 68.7% | 72 | 59.1% | 1780 | 72.3% | 3982 | 69.9% | 5893 | 70.4% |
Missing data | 8 | 9.8% | 12 | 8.6% | 195 | 6.6% | 614 | 9.8% | 829 | 8.8% |
Condom use previous 12 months | Consistent use | 19 | 23.0% | 22 | 17.2% | 393 | 16.8% | 1201 | 22.3% | 1635 | 20.6% |
Inconsistent use | 67 | 77.0% | 102 | 82.8% | 2081 | 83.2% | 4417 | 77.7% | 6667 | 79.4% |
Number sex partners in prev. 12 mo. | 0-1 partners | 31 | 35.3% | 21 | 14.1% | 806 | 31.8% | 2864 | 50.2% | 3722 | 43.9% |
2+ partners | 55 | 64.7% | 103 | 85.9% | 1668 | 68.2% | 2754 | 49.8% | 4580 | 56.1% |
Sexual debut age | 16+ years old | 66 | 77.4% | 80 | 65.2% | 1902 | 81.0% | 4576 | 85.0% | 6624 | 83.4% |
=< 15 years old | 20 | 22.6% | 44 | 34.8% | 490 | 19.0% | 856 | 15.0% | 1410 | 16.6% |
HIV status | Negative | 78 | 91.2% | 108 | 86.9% | 2259 | 92.2% | 5452 | 95.4% | 7897 | 94.3% |
Positive | 8 | 8.8% | 16 | 13.1% | 215 | 7.8% | 279 | 4.6% | 518 | 5.7% |
Been told they have an STI | No | 74 | 87.9% | 90 | 73.2% | 2112 | 89.1% | 4987 | 92.8% | 7263 | 91.3% |
Yes | 11 | 12.1% | 30 | 26.8% | 260 | 10.9% | 386 | 7.2% | 687 | 8.7% |
Notes: Only age disparate relationship (AGYW was 5 or more years younger than one of their male sex partners); a relationship with both an age disparate partner and a Blesser; in a relationship with a Blesser only, and the last category included all women who were sexually active but did not declare being in an relationship with a Blesser or age disparate partner |
Table 2 shows the multiple binary logistic regression analysis between the different forms of relationships and risk behaviours and HIV and STI prevalence. Those who were in a relationship with a Blesser and an age disparate partner were more likely to be HIV positive (AOR: 3.12, 95% CI: 1.76-5.53, p <0.001), diagnosed with an STI (AOR: 4.60, 95% CI: 2.99-7.08, p <0.001), had 2 or more sexual partners in the previous 12 (AOR: 6.37, 95% CI: 3.85-10.54, p <0.001), engaged in sexual activity at age 15 or younger (AOR: 3.67, 95% CI: 2.36-5.69, p <0.001) and more likely to have ever been pregnant (AOR: 2.60, 95% CI: 1.24-5.45, p <0.05) when compared to those not in a relationship with a Blesser or age-disparate partner. AGYW who were only in an age disparate relationship were more likely to be HIV positive (AOR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.33-1.97, p <0.001) and more likely to have 2 or more sexual partners in the previous 12 months (AOR: 2.07, 95% CI: 2.07, p < 0.001) when compared to those not in a relationship with a Blesser or age-disparate partner.
Table 2
Multiple logistic regression analysis for AGYW not in a blessed or age disparate relationship compared with the three other types of relationships and controlling for age and food security
| HIV | STI | Condom use | Number of sex partners | Sexual debut age | School attendancea | Pregnancya |
| AOR (95% CI) | AOR (95% CI) | AOR (95% CI) | AOR (95% CI) | AOR (95% CI) | AOR (95% CI) | AOR (95% CI) |
Not in blessed or age disp. sex active | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref |
Only Blesser | 1.93 (0.83-4.49) | 1.75 (0.87-3.53) | 0.96 (0.55-1.65) | 1.85* (1.12-3.07) | 1.84* (1.03-3.30) | 0.50 (0.17-1.49) | 1.22 (0.53-2.78) |
Blesser and age-disp. par. | 3.12*** (1.76-5.53) | 4.60*** (2.99-7.08) | 1.38 (0.84-2.27) | 6.37*** (3.85-10.54) | 3.67*** (2.36-5.69) | 0.42(0.17-1.02) | 2.60* (1.24-5.45) |
Only Age disp. rel. | 1.62*** (1.33-1.97) | 1.52*** (1.27-1.83) | 1.36*** (1.19-1.56) | 2.07*** (1.85-2.32) | 1.66*** (1.44-1.92) | 0.61***(0.47-0.79) | 1.49***(1.23-1.79) |
Food insecure (Often) | 1.44 (0.72-2.89) | 1.34(0.77-2.32) | 0.79 (0.54-1.15) | 1.01 (0.71-1.44) | 0.41*** (0.27-0.61) | 0.25** (0.11-0.60) | 0.84(0.45-1.54) |
Food insecure (Sometimes) | 1.15 (0.60-2.19) | 1.11(0.69-1.78) | 1.05 (0.79-1.39) | 1.55** (1.21-2.00) | 0.36*** (0.26-0.49) | 0.38** (0.21-0.68) | 1.42(0.92-2.20) |
Food insecure (Rarely) | 0.98 (0.50-1.89) | 1.22(0.76-1.95) | 1.22 (0.88-1.69) | 1.65*** (1.25-2.17) | 0.30*** (0.22-0.42) | 0.29*** (0.15-0.56) | 0.91(0.57-1.47) |
Food insecure (Never) | 0.94 (0.53-1.68) | 0.98(0.66-1.47) | 1.16 (0.92-1.47) | 1.47*** (1.20-1.80) | 0.25*** (0.19-0.32) | 0.32***(0.19-0.52) | 0.99(0.69-1.44) |
Food insecure (Missing data) | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref |
Age (years) | 1.21*** (1.14-1.28) | 1.07** (1.03-1.12) | 1.10*** (1.06-1.14) | 1.13*** (1.10-1.16) | 0.82*** (0.79-0.85) | 0.81 (0.63-1.04) | 1.38***(1.21-1.56) |
Pseudo R-squared | 0.040 | 0.024 | 0.024 | 0.088 | 0.177 | 0.149 | 0.064 |
N | 8415 | 7950 | 8302 | 8302 | 8034 | 1884 | 2720 |
Notes: a = restricted to those 19 years old or younger. * p <0.01 ** p < 0.01 *** p <0.001 |
The results from the regression analysis comparing those in a relationship with a Blesser and an age disparate partner with those only in an age disparate relationship can be found in Table 3. These reveal that AGYW in both a relationship with a Blesser and an age disparate partner were more likely to: be HIV positive (AOR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.08-3.46, p <0.05); diagnosed with an a STI (AOR: 3.02, 95% CI: 1.94-4.72, p <0.001); had a higher number of sex partners (AOR: 3.08, 95% CI: 1.85-5.14, p <0.05); and sexually debuted at a younger age (AOR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.42-3.43, p <0.001). Those not in a blessed or ADR were less likely to be HIV positive (AOR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.51-0.76, p <0.001); diagnosed with an STI (AOR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.55-0.79, p <0.001); use a condom inconsistently (AOR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.64-0.84, p <0.001), have 2 or more sex partners (AOR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.43-0.54, p <0.001); engage in early sexual debut (AOR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.52-0.70, p <0.001); and less likely to be pregnant (AOR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.56-0.81, p <0.001) than those who were in only an age disparate relationship. Those who were not in a Blessed or age disparate relationship were more likely to be currently attending school than those only in an age disparate relationship (AOR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.27-2.15, p <0.01).
Table 3
Multiple logistic regression analysis for AGYW in an ADR only compared with the three other types of relationships and controlling for age and food security
| HIV | STI | Condom use | Number of sex partners | Sexual debut age | School attendancea | Pregnancya |
| AOR (95% CI) | AOR (95% CI) | AOR (95% CI) | AOR (95% CI) | AOR (95% CI) | AOR (95% CI) | AOR (95% CI) |
Only Age disp. rel. | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref |
Only Blesser | 1.20 (0.51-2.78) | 1.15 (0.57-2.33) | 0.70 (0.40-1.23) | 0.90 (0.54-1.49) | 1.11 (0.61-2.02) | 0.83 (0.28-2.47) | 0.82 (0.35-1.90) |
Blesser and age-disp. par. | 1.93* (1.08-3.46) | 3.02*** (1.94-4.72) | 1.01 (0.60-1.70) | 3.08*** (1.85-5.14) | 2.20*** (1.42-3.43) | 0.69 (0.28-1.73) | 1.75 (0.82-3.71) |
Not in blessed or age disp. sex active | 0.62*** (0.51-0.76) | 0.66*** (0.55-0.79) | 0.74*** (0.64-0.84) | 0.48*** (0.43-0.54) | 0.60*** (0.52-0.70) | 1.65** (1.27-2.15) | 0.67*** (0.56-0.81) |
Food insecure (Often) | 1.44 (0.72-2.89) | 1.34 (0.77-2.32) | 0.79 (0.54-1.15) | 1.01 (0.71-1.44) | 0.41*** (0.27-0.61) | 0.25** (0.11-0.60) | 0.84 (0.45-1.54) |
Food insecure (Sometimes) | 1.15 (0.60-2.19) | 1.11 (0.69-1.78) | 1.05 (0.79-1.39) | 1.55** (1.21-2.00) | 0.36*** (0.26-0.49) | 0.38** (0.21-0.68) | 1.42 (0.92-2.20) |
Food insecure (Rarely) | 0.98 (0.50-1.89) | 1.22 (0.76-1.95) | 1.22 (0.88-1.69) | 1.65*** (1.25-2.17) | 0.30*** (0.22-0.42) | 0.29*** (0.15-0.56) | 0.91 (0.57-1.47) |
Food insecure (Never) | 0.94 (0.53-1.68) | 0.98 (0.66-1.47) | 1.16 (0.92-1.47) | 1.47*** (1.20-1.80) | 0.25*** (0.19-0.32) | 0.32*** (0.19-0.52) | 0.99 (0.69-1.44) |
Food insecure (Missing data) | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref | Ref |
Age | 1.21*** (1.14-1.28) | 1.07** (1.03-1.12) | 1.10*** (1.06-1.14) | 1.13*** (1.10-1.16) | 0.82*** (0.79-0.85) | 0.81 (0.63-1.04) | 1.38*** (1.21-1.56) |
Pseudo R-squared | 0.040 | 0.024 | 0.024 | 0.088 | 0.177 | 0.149 | 0.064 |
N | 8415 | 7950 | 8302 | 8302 | 8034 | 1884 | 2720 |
A = restricted to those 19 years old or younger. * p <0.01 ** p < 0.01 *** p <0.001 |