Philip Kreniske1,2, Fred Nalugoda3, Ivy Chen4, Rui Huang4, Ying Wei4, Larry Chang5, Robert Ssekubugu3, Tom Lutalo3, Godfrey Kigozi3, Joseph Kagaayi3, Nelson Sewankambo3, M Kate Grabowski5, Ronald Gray6, David Serwadda7, John Santelli2. 1. HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY. 2. Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY. 3. Rakai Health Sciences Program, Kalisizo and Entebbe, Uganda. 4. Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY. 5. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. 6. Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; and. 7. Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest HIV incidence and prevalence in the world. In the past decade, mobile phone ownership has doubled, affecting social and sexual practices. Using longitudinal follow-up data, this study examined whether mobile phone ownership was associated with sexual behaviors and HIV incidence for youth and adults. METHODS: The Rakai Community Cohort Study gathers demographic and sexual health information and conducts HIV testing among an open cohort in southcentral Uganda every 12-18 months. RESULTS: Of the 10,618 participants, 58% owned a mobile phone, 69% lived in rural locations, and 77% were sexually active. Analyses were adjusted for time, location, religion, and socioeconomic status. Phone ownership was associated with increased odds of ever having had sex act for 15- to 19-year-olds [men adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.78 to 2.52; women AOR: 3.20, 95% CI: 2.45 to 4.17]. Among sexually active participants, owning a phone was associated with increased odds of having 2 or more concurrent sex partners (15- to 24-year-old men AOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.34 to 2.32; 25 to 49-year-old men: AOR 1.81, 95% CI: 1.54 to 2.13; 25- to 49-year-old women AOR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.32 to 2.49). For men, phone ownership was associated with increased odds of circumcision (15- to 24-year-old men AOR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.41; 25- to 49-year-old men AOR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.24). Phone ownership was not associated with HIV incidence. CONCLUSION: Although mobile phone ownership was associated with sexual risk behaviors, it was not associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition. Research should continue exploring how phones can be used for reducing sexual health risk.
BACKGROUND: Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest HIV incidence and prevalence in the world. In the past decade, mobile phone ownership has doubled, affecting social and sexual practices. Using longitudinal follow-up data, this study examined whether mobile phone ownership was associated with sexual behaviors and HIV incidence for youth and adults. METHODS: The Rakai Community Cohort Study gathers demographic and sexual health information and conducts HIV testing among an open cohort in southcentral Uganda every 12-18 months. RESULTS: Of the 10,618 participants, 58% owned a mobile phone, 69% lived in rural locations, and 77% were sexually active. Analyses were adjusted for time, location, religion, and socioeconomic status. Phone ownership was associated with increased odds of ever having had sex act for 15- to 19-year-olds [men adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.78 to 2.52; women AOR: 3.20, 95% CI: 2.45 to 4.17]. Among sexually active participants, owning a phone was associated with increased odds of having 2 or more concurrent sex partners (15- to 24-year-old men AOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.34 to 2.32; 25 to 49-year-old men: AOR 1.81, 95% CI: 1.54 to 2.13; 25- to 49-year-old women AOR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.32 to 2.49). For men, phone ownership was associated with increased odds of circumcision (15- to 24-year-old men AOR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.41; 25- to 49-year-old men AOR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.24). Phone ownership was not associated with HIV incidence. CONCLUSION: Although mobile phone ownership was associated with sexual risk behaviors, it was not associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition. Research should continue exploring how phones can be used for reducing sexual health risk.
Authors: John Santelli; Sanyukta Mathur; Xiaoyu Song; Tzu Jung Huang; Ying Wei; Tom Lutalo; Fred Nalugoda; Ron H Gray; David M Serwadda Journal: Glob Soc Welf Date: 2015-06
Authors: Ronald H Gray; Godfrey Kigozi; David Serwadda; Frederick Makumbi; Stephen Watya; Fred Nalugoda; Noah Kiwanuka; Lawrence H Moulton; Mohammad A Chaudhary; Michael Z Chen; Nelson K Sewankambo; Fred Wabwire-Mangen; Melanie C Bacon; Carolyn F M Williams; Pius Opendi; Steven J Reynolds; Oliver Laeyendecker; Thomas C Quinn; Maria J Wawer Journal: Lancet Date: 2007-02-24 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: M J Wawer; N K Sewankambo; D Serwadda; T C Quinn; L A Paxton; N Kiwanuka; F Wabwire-Mangen; C Li; T Lutalo; F Nalugoda; C A Gaydos; L H Moulton; M O Meehan; S Ahmed; R H Gray Journal: Lancet Date: 1999-02-13 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Fred Nalugoda; Philip Kreniske; Sarah Hofer; Xiaobo Zhong; Ying Wei; Stephanie A Grilo; Ivy Chen; Ssebaggala D Kigozi; Godfrey Kigozi; Tom Lutalo; Robert Ssekubugu; Hadijja Nakawooya; Joseph Kagaayi; Larry W Chang; Maria J Wawer; Ronald H Gray; Qianshu Wang; John S Santelli Journal: AIDS Behav Date: 2020-05
Authors: Larry W Chang; Mary K Grabowski; Robert Ssekubugu; Fred Nalugoda; Godfrey Kigozi; Betty Nantume; Justin Lessler; Sean M Moore; Thomas C Quinn; Steven J Reynolds; Ronald H Gray; David Serwadda; Maria J Wawer Journal: Lancet HIV Date: 2016-07-09 Impact factor: 12.767
Authors: Oluwasolape Olawore; Aaron A R Tobian; Joseph Kagaayi; Jeremiah M Bazaale; Betty Nantume; Grace Kigozi; Justine Nankinga; Fred Nalugoda; Gertrude Nakigozi; Godfrey Kigozi; Ronald H Gray; Maria J Wawer; Robert Ssekubugu; John S Santelli; Steven J Reynolds; Larry W Chang; David Serwadda; Mary K Grabowski Journal: Lancet HIV Date: 2018-02-25 Impact factor: 12.767
Authors: John S Santelli; Ivy Chen; Fred Makumbi; Ying Wei; Fred Nalugoda; Tom Lutalo; Esther Spindler; Stephanie A Grilo; Andrea Deisher; Katherine Grabowski; Susie Hoffman; Joseph Kagaayi; Larry W Chang; Ronald Gray; Maria Wawer; David Serwadda Journal: AIDS Date: 2021-09-01 Impact factor: 4.177