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Abstract
Sexual violence is a public health concern that has been plaguing students attending universities around the globe. The risk factors of sexual violence have no borders, they are the same in every country, in every university from the United States to Uganda. The acceptance of rape myths, poor mental health, drinking, and sexting have been correlated with attitudes of intention to intervene in a potentially sexually violent act and engaging in risky sex behaviors. The purpose of this dissertation is to use the constructs of the theory of planned behavior and social cognitive theory to understand the behaviors and attitudes of students who attend Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, on the factors associated with interventions addressing sexual violence. Two studies were conducted, first understanding the predictors of a person's attitudes towards intervening, and second, the relationship between sexting, drinking, living on campus, and engagement in risky sex behaviors. Using self-reported data from a survey that contained all of the variables for both studies, 400 students, 200 men, and 200 women at Makerere participated in the study. For study one, a multivariate regression was used to determine overall predictors of intention to intervene were assessed. Significant factors in the model included accepting rape myths and having higher rates of depression. To assess gender differences, an independent samples t-test revealed that men accepted rape myths, had more problem drinking, and were more depressed than women. In the second study, a binary logistic regression was performed to predict engaging in risky sex behaviors using sexting attitudes and behaviors, alcohol use, and living on campus. This model was not significant. There were gender differences that provided more insight into the relationship between these sexual violence risk factors. The majority, almost 84% of the students in the population, were not problem drinkers. However, women who did report problem drinking were more likely to have favorable attitudes towards sexting and engaging in risky sex behaviors. Men who reported problem drinking had more favorable attitudes towards sexting. These studies provide an insight into the attitudes and behaviors of the students attending one of Uganda’s most prestigious universities. The findings of this study should help to tailor interventions for the students at Makerere University.