Casual heterosexual sex remains a significant contributor to HIV
transmissions in Ghana. The study used data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic
and Health Survey (GDHS) to assess the socio-demographic, economic
and spatial factors influencing unprotected casual heterosexual sex among men
and women. The results of the binary logistic regression models revealed that
women aged 35–44 had significantly higher odds of engaging in unprotected
casual heterosexual sex than those aged 15–24, unlike the men. There were
significantly lower odds of unprotected casual heterosexual sex for women and
men with exposure to print media compared with those without exposure.
Compared with men residing in the Western Region, unprotected casual
heterosexual sex was significantly less likely among those in the Upper East
Region. There is the need for behavioural change campaigns in Ghana that
take into consideration the multiplicity of factors that determine unprotected
casual heterosexual sex.