Assessing the Influence of Social Networking Material on Adolescents’ Sexual Behavior in Kampala

Abstract

Background: Social media has been used to promote risky sexual behavior in form of unsolicited photos, videos and text from peers and strangers that is not regulated by parents or guardians. Therefore, it’s important to investigate the influence of social networking material on adolescents‘ sexual behavior in Ugandan in order to close the knowledge gap. Adolescents in Uganda may be at risk of indulging in risky sexual behavior if usage of social networking sites remains unrestricted.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 280 randomly selected adolescents in Kampala between August and October 2016.

Results: Majority (68.9%) of the respondents thought that messages, photos, videos with sexual content shared/posted on social networking sites, changed their sexual behavior. Variables that were found to significantly explain the effect of exposure of social network  content on adolescent sexual behavior, among adolescents included: Gender (male) (OR 2.646, 95% CI 1.088-6.434, use of social networking sites during holidays (OR 2.581, 95% CI .836-7.965) and social sites being used for leisure activities (OR 4.516, 95% CI 1.232-16.548).

Conclusion: Parents may need to restrict access and use sexual content especially pictures and videos available on social networking site among the adolescents.

Key words: Adolescent, social networking sites, change, sexual behavior