Risk Factors for Transactional Sex among Young Females in Post-Conflict Liberia

This study aimed to examine the risk factors for engaging in transactional sex among young females in Montserrado County, Liberia. Data from an HIV behavioral survey conducted among young people aged 14 - 25 years were used. The analytical sample included 493 sexually-experienced females. 

Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. 

• We found that 72% of our sample had ever engaged in transactional sex. 
• Engagement in transactional sex was associated with 
• education; 
• reporting no earned income; 
• longer duration of sexual activity; 
• early sexual debut; 
• history of sexual violence and 
• multiple sexual partnerships. 
• Respondents' age, residence, and drug/alcohol use were not associated with engagement in transactional sex. 

HIV interventions should incorporate educational strategies to reduce the prevalence of transactional sex among young people. These strategies should include economic opportunities to offset financial need as well as efforts to eradicate sexual violence.

Full PDF article at: http://goo.gl/xIggbD

By: Okigbo CC, McCarraher DR, Chen M, Pack A.

1Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; 2 Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, FHI360, Durham, North Carolina, USA; 3Biostatistics, FHI360, Durham, North Carolina, USA.

More at:  https://twitter.com/hiv_insight