Regional heterogeneity in violence and individual characteristics associated with recent transactional sex among Ugandan girls and young women: A national and regional analysis of data from the Violence Against Children and Youth Survey.

Objectives: This study assessed associations between recent transactional sex (TS) and potential determinants and variations in patterns across two geographic regions with high HIV burden compared to the rest of Uganda, among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW).

Methods: In 2015, a nationally representative cross-sectional household survey was conducted in Uganda. A stratified multi-stage cluster sample design produced nationally representative estimates and sub-national estimates for AGYW in two high HIV burden regions, DREAMS Central 1 (Bukomansimbi, Ssembabule, and Rakai districts) and DREAMS Central 2 (Mubende, Mityana, Gomba, and Mukono districts), and the rest of Uganda. To identify associations between recent TS (defined as sex in the past 12 months in exchange for material support or help) and risk factors, multivariable logistic regressions were conducted. Interaction terms assessed the associations between violence and recent TS across geographic regions.

Results: Nationally, 14.2% of sexually active AGYW engaged in recent TS. Region-specific significant associations emerged between recent TS and marriage, family wealth, friendship, orphanhood, and sexual debut. In DREAMS Central 1 and 2, AGYW who witnessed violence in the home or community, or experienced sexual, physical, or emotional violence had higher odds of recent TS than AGYW who did not experience that form of violence (adjusted odds ratio ranged between 2.10 (95% CI, 1.07, 4.13) and 8.25 (95% CI, 3.40, 20.06)). The magnitude of association between recent TS and types of violence varied by region.

Conclusions: Violence is strongly and consistently associated with recent TS, and patterns in prevalence and risk factors vary across regions in Uganda. Given the high risk of HIV association with recent TS, HIV epidemic control efforts may benefit from focus on comprehensive violence prevention and target persons who engage in TS. Comprehensive HIV prevention programming aimed at keeping AGYW HIV-negative should incorporate prevention of violence and TS as key components to facilitate HIV epidemic control in this vulnerable population.