Early sexual debut and associated factors among adolescents in Kasawo Sub-county, Mukono district, Uganda

Abstract

Early sexual debut is defined as having had first sexual intercourse at or before age 14 years of age. By 19 years, nearly 70% of both males and females are reported to have ever had sexual intercourse. Notably, sexual debut occurring at an earlier age than 19 years, especially less than 15 years, is found to be associated with engagement in risky sexual behaviours in adolescence. The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with early sexual debut among adolescents in Kasawo Sub-county, Mukono district. Analytical cross-sectional study design, both qualitative and quantitative methods, was used. Focus group discussion guide and semi-structured questionnaire were administered to a sample of 385 adolescents. Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 25 was used for analysis. The prevalence of early sexual debut was 22.6% among female and 22.1% among male, respectively. Age was associated with early sexual debut (X2 (1) = 5.992, p = 0.018), with more of the adolescents (37.4%) older than 14 year found to have had sexual intercourse at or before 14 years. Gender was associated with early sexual debut among adolescents (X2(1) = 22.898, p = 0.000). Schooling status of adolescents was associated with early sexual debut (p = 0.000).

Respondents who drink alcohol were three times more likely to have early sexual debut (COR = 3.28, at 95% CI (1.530–7.031)) and there was a strong association between drinking alcohol and early sexual debut (p = 0.000). Having ever had peer influence (p = 0.03) was associated with early sexual debut. So, conclusively, the proportion of girls who delay sex is slightly higher as compared with that of boys.

Subjects: Epidemiology; Environment & Health; Health & Society; Health Conditions; Public Health Policy and Practice; Sexual and Reproductive Health; Medicine; Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women’s; Health