Pre-marital sexual debut and its associated factors among in-school adolescents in eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundMore adolescents in Ethiopia are in school today than ever, but few studies have assessed the sexual behaviour of these learners. Thus, this study tried to assess pre-marital sexual debut and factors associated with it among in-school adolescents in Eastern Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional school-based study was conducted using a facilitator guided selfadministered questionnaire. Respondents were students attending regular school classes in fourteen high schools. The proportion of adolescents involved in pre-marital sexual debut and the mean age at sexual debut was computed. Factors associated with pre-marital sexual debut were assessed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression.ResultsAbout one in four, 686 (24.8%) never married in-school adolescent respondents reported pre-marital sexual debut of these 28.8% were males and 14.7% were females (p < 0.001). Pre-marital sexual debut was more common among adolescents who had their parents in urban areas (Adjusted OR and [95% CI] =1.42 [1.17–1.73]), who received higher pocket money per month (Adjusted OR and [95% CI] = 1.56 [1.19–2.04]), who perceived low self-educational rank (Adjusted OR and [95% CI] =1.89 [1.07–3.34]) and who lived in rented houses (Adjusted OR and [95% CI] =1.32 [1.03–1.70]). The females and those who were less influenced by external pressure were more protected against pre-marital sexual debut (Adjusted OR and [95% CI] = 0.44 [0.35–0.56; 0.62 [0.52–0.74, respectively]) than their counterparts.ConclusionA significant proportion of in-school adolescents were engaged in sexual relationship. Thus, public health interventions should consider the broader determinants of premarital sexual debut, including the ecological factors in which the behavior occurs.

Determinants of Sexual Debut among High School Girl Students in Arsi Zone, Huruta Town, Ethiopia

“…However, the peer pressure to undertake sexual debut among school female students was found to be statistically associated [AOR=3.85, 95% CI; (2.66, 5.58)] with first sexual exposure. This result was conforming to other studies conducted in different areas [18,20]. Drinking alcohol decreases selfcontrol and expose to risky sexual intercourse [11,21].…”

Magnitude and Predictors of Early Sexual Debut among High and Preparatory School Students in Northern Ethiopia: A School-based Crosssectional Study

“…This was similar to study done in Welega, Eastern Ethiopia where receiving higher pocket money was an independent predictor of sexual activity [21]. Students may be using pocket money for viewing pornographic materials, drinking alcohol, and spending leisure time outside of the home.…”

“…Other studies conducted in Ethiopia reported similar ages: Gedeo (South Ethiopia) reported 16.7+2.8 (SD) years [18], Dessie (East Ethiopia) found 15.6 ± 1.7 (SD) years [19], Addis Abeba reported 16.7 ± 1.7 (SD) years [20], Welega (North east Ethiopia) found 16 ± 2.25 (SD) years [21]. A study in Kenya reported 17.5 years [22], and Malawi reported 17.7 [23].…”

Risky sexual behavior and associated factors among youth in Haramaya Secondary and Preparatory School, East Ethiopia, 2015

“…This can be explained by that fact that substance use tended to be the first risk behavior that the youth initiated, and then transitioned to risk sexual behavior (Lori-Ann, 2009) Moreover, watching sexually explicit/pornographic movies was significantly associated with risky sexual behavior when compared with those that did not watch one. This finding is consistent with several study conducted in various parts of Ethiopia (Dereje et al, 2015;Tadesse and Yakob, 2015;Oljira et al, 2012). This indicates that exposure to pornography might affect their decision making regarding sex.…”