Determinants of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Communities of Uganda and Ghana

Betty Kwagala, Makerere University
Hanna Chidwick, Macmaster University
Deborah Mensah, University of Ghana
Stephen Wandera, Makerere University
Lydia Osei, University of Ghana
Lydia Kapiriri, Macmaster University

Background: The artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector is an important employer of young men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the marginalization of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) who work in the ASM negatively impacts their sexual and reproductive health (SRH). This paper examines the prevalence and determinants of sexually transmitted infection (STI) status among AGYW in the ASM gold mining sectors of Uganda and Ghana. Methods: The paper is based on a survey of 1618 AGYW. Data were analyzed at univariate, bivariate, and multivariate levels. Results: Almost half (47%) of the respondents had an STI. STI status was significantly Reporting an STI was positively associated with cohabitation, a primary level of education, fair payment, alcohol consumption, sexual violence, and transactional sex. Conclusions: The high prevalence of STIs among AGYW in ASM requires attention. Response requires targeting male ASM workers and AGYW, using multi-sectoral participatory approaches.