Impacts of Mobile Phones on Secondary School Students' Sexual Behaviour in Moshi Municipality, Tanzania

Abstract

Since 1983 when first cases of HIV/AIDS were reported, HIV/AIDS has continued to be the killer disease in Tanzania. HIV infection is unevenly distributed across geographic area, gender, age, groups and social economic classes in the country. Mostly affected groups are the poor, the youth and the women. This study was carried out in Moshi Municipal in Northern Tanzania and intended to investigate impacts of mobile phones on secondary school students' sexual behaviour. The study applied a descriptive research design. Purposive and systematic sampling techniques were applied. Primary data was obtained using semi-structured questionnaires while secondary data were obtained by using documentary sources. Data was analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). TO investigate factors influencing secondary school students' sexual behaviour regression analysis was used. Results indicate that, accommodation status, ownership or access to a mobile phone, alcoholism and making sexual intercourse with a non-regular partner significantly influence secondary school students' sexual behaviour. The study recommends that mobile phones ownership to student be controlled and strong student by-laws establishment within secondary schools in the area to restrict students from drinking alcohol. Further, emphasis should be placed on establishing hostels with wellknown management for students.