Early sexual debut: prevalence and risk factors among secondary school students in Ido-ekiti, Ekiti state, South-West Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundEarly adolescent sexual activity remains a recurring problem with negative psychosocial and health outcomes. The age at sexual debut varies from place to place and among different individuals and is associated with varying factors. The aim was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of early sexual debut among secondary school students in Ido-Ekiti, South-West Nigeria.MethodologyThis was a cross-sectional study. The respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Pre-tested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15.ResultsMore than two-thirds, 40(67.8%), had early sexual debut. The prevalence of early sexual debut was about 11%. The mean age of sexual debut was 13.10±2.82; the mean age for early sexual debutants was 11.68±1.98. The mean number of sexual partners was 2.44±1.99. Male gender, having friends who engaged in sexual activities had association with early sexual exposure (p<0.05). Alcohol intake had the strongest strength of association for early sexual debut among the students.ConclusionThe high prevalence of early sexual exposure among the students calls for urgent interventions to stem the trend. This will help to reduce the devastating negative psycho-social and health sequels.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Early Sexual Debut among Preparatory School Students in Gondar Town, North West Ethiopia 2018

“…This nding is similar with studies conducted in Nigeria(18.6%) [4], Woldiya Town (18.4%) [9], Shire-Endassilassie town(19.0%) [10], and FagetaLekoma district of Awi zone(20.4%) [11]. However, this nding is higher than the results of studies conducted in Malaysia (9.8%) [3], and Ido-ekiti, South-west Nigeria(11.0%) [5]. The possible justi cation could be due to variations in some demographic characteristics between the current study as compared to those mentioned studies.…”

“…In addition, there is variation in age of the respondents between the Ido-ekiti study as compared to the current study. For instance, if we compare the age of the study participants included in the Ido-ekiti study, around 38.1% of the respondents are 14 years or below [5]. Where as in the current study all the respondents are above the age of 16 years.…”

“…The odds of early sexual debut is fourteen times more experienced among participants who had history of drinking alcohol as compared to those who had not. This nding is supported by studies conducted in Ido-ekiti, South west Nigeria [5], a study conducted among eight African countries [7], and Ogbomoso, Nigeria [4]. The possible justi cation is usually drinking alcohol is one of the risky behaviors that lead young people to be engaged in risky sexual practices including early sexual debut.…”

“…Studies conducted in different parts of the world showed the prevalence of early sexual debut being 9.8% in Malaysia [3], 18.6% in Ogbomoso, Nigeria [4], 11% in Ido-ekiti, South-West Nigeria [5], 36% among males and 16% among females in Nyaza, Kenya [6], and 27.3% in a study conducted among eight African Countries [7].…”

Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Service Availability and delivery in Public Health Facilities of Plateau State Nigeria

“…19,20 Indeed, this lack of appropriate reproductive and sexual health care for adolescents is rapidly emerging as a public health concern in Nigeria, especially given the serious sexual and reproductive health risks adolescents face. 20,21 To meet the WHO recommendations, the Nigerian government has introduced a policy to address the lack of adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) services in health facilities, especially in primary health care facilities, which are the rst point of call and the nearest health facilities in communities 22 . The aim of this policy is to integrate ASRH services into primary health care facilities, to ensure the availability, accessibility, appropriateness, and quality of ASRH in Nigeria.…”