title: Factors associated with early resumption of sexual intercourse among postnatal women in Uganda.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite being a key component to be addressed during postnatal period, sexuality has long been a subject of secrecy and taboo in Africa. Resumption of sexual intercourse after giving birth has been shown to reduce extramarital affairs and consequently reduce risk of sexually transmitted infections like HIV/AIDS. Consequences of early resumption of sexual intercourse include unwanted pregnancy, genital trauma and puerperal infection. The objective of the study was to assess prevalence and factors associated with early resumption of sexual intercourse among postnatal mothers attending postnatal clinic at a National referral Hospital in Uganda.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study that employed an interviewer-administered questionnaire was conducted among 374 women who delivered six months prior to conducting the study. The independent variables included socio-demographic characteristics of the participant, socio-demographic characteristics of the spouse, perceived cultural norms, medical history, mode of delivery, and postpartum complications. The dependent variable was timing of resumption of sexual intercourse after childbirth (before or after six weeks postpartum). Data were analysed using SPSS version 16.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study showed that 105 participants (21.6%) had resumed sexual intercourse before 6 weeks after childbirth. The participants' education level, occupation, and parity; education level of the spouse, age of baby and use of family planning were the factors associated with early resumption of sexual intercourse after child birth (before six weeks postpartum) (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many women resumed sexual intercourse after six weeks. Women with high income, low parity, who ever-used contraception or had a spouse with high education level were more likely to have early resumption of sexual intercourse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda. shethelma@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Alice C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Alum
authors.affiliation: Adult Health and Critical Care Department, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 66, Alkhod, PC 123, Muscat, Oman. irene.kizza@squ.edu.om.
authors.forename: Irene B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Kizza
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda. chaposingada@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Charles P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Osingada
authors.affiliation: Adult Health and Critical Care Department, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 66, Alkhod, PC 123, Muscat, Oman. katendeg@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Godfrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Katende
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda. dankkaye@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Dan K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Kaye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods; D004522:Educational Status; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D017584:Reproductive History; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D014454:Uganda; D055815:Young Adult