Early sexual debut and associated factors among adolescents in Kasawo Sub-county, Mukono district, Uganda
Loading...
Date
2023-03-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
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
Description
Keywords
Sexual debut, Adolescents, Kasawo Sub-County, Uganda
Citation
Omona, K. and Ssuka, J.K., 2023. Early sexual debut and associated factors among adolescents in Kasawo Sub-county, Mukono district, Uganda. Cogent Public Health, 10(1), p.2183561.