Publications by authors named "Kalina Bessie"

This article reports on factors influencing condom use among out-of-school adolescents in rural southwest Uganda. Despite an abundance of negative discourses and myths about condoms in the community, these adolescents believe condoms protect them from sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and premarital pregnancies. Girls want partners to use condoms, but most lack the confidence to insist.

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This paper defines the range of sexual partners chosen by out-of-school adolescents from Masaka District in rural south-west Uganda, and implications for sexual and reproductive health discussed. Data are drawn from a sexual health needs assessment using applied anthropological techniques with 31 adolescents, their parents, guardians and community leaders. Data were analysed using inductive thematic methods.

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Article Synopsis
  • The article argues against the idea that gift and money exchanges in adolescent relationships are purely transactional, based on qualitative research in rural Uganda.
  • It reveals that young women take pride in these exchanges, seeing them as symbols of respect and commitment rather than shameful acts.
  • The study suggests that promoting longer courtships and support in relationships could lead to delayed sexual activity for young women and greater monogamy among young men.
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This paper focuses on 'sexual debut' among out-of-school youth in Masaka District, Uganda, factors influencing its timing and assistance young people feel they need to delay sexual initiation. Data were drawn from a sexual health needs assessment using applied anthropological techniques with young people aged 13-19 years. Parents, guardians and community leaders were also consulted.

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Article Synopsis
  • Induced abortion is illegal in Uganda but remains a crucial reproductive health option, with men playing various roles in the process from facilitation to punishment.
  • Men's understanding and attitudes toward abortion are complex, ranging from viewing it as a necessary support to seeing it as morally wrong, reflecting a tension between personal beliefs and societal pressures.
  • Effective interventions should educate men on safe sex and abortion practices, while policies must take into account local practices and beliefs to better address the realities surrounding abortion in their communities.
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In order to examine the sexual behaviour of a highly mobile social group, qualitative data and quantitative data were elicited from 212 private motorbike taxi-men, locally called bodabodamen, from two study sites in Masaka, Uganda. Selection criteria were availability and willingness to participate in the study. Research techniques employed were a questionnaire, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and case studies.

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