Risky Behaviors of Youth Living in the Slums of Kampala: A Closer Examination of Youth Participating in Vocational Training Programs.

Obtaining formal education is associated with a decreased risk of HIV transmission among youth in sub-Saharan Africa. However, little is known about the role vocational skills training programs may have on risk behaviors linked to HIV transmission among vulnerable youth in sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined the characteristics and risk behaviors among vulnerable youth who receive vocational skills training by a community-based organization. Empirical analyses were conducted using a cross-sectional survey administered in 2014 to youth (ages 12 to 18 years) in the slums of Kampala (N=1134). Five multivariable logistic regression models were computed to determine the association between participating in a vocational training program and self-reported risk behaviors pertaining to alcohol use, lack of condom use, sex with multiple partners, and transactional sex. In our study, 29.6% of youth attended a vocational training program. Our findings show that youth who participated in vocational training were more likely to report often feeling hopeful (AOR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1, 3.0) and less likely to report alcohol use (AOR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2, 0.7) than those not attending vocational training programs, in multivariable analyses. Overall, findings varied for males and females. These findings, while preliminary, indicate that self-reported behaviors associated with risk for HIV transmission vary in some respects for youth participating in vocational training versus those who do not. However, additional research is needed, as are evaluations of the benefits and potential impact of vocational training in both the short and long-term for vulnerable youth in resource-poor settings and with limited access to formal education.