Sexual initiation and factors associated with it among female youths in west Shoa, Ambo town, Ethiopia: community based cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Early sexual debut may be linked to reproductive health problems later in life. In addition, the timing of first sex is affected by a variety of factors and this makes the consequences of youth sexuality much more serious. Therefore, this study aims to assess factors that influence youths’ to practice sexual activities and the consequences of these behaviors. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was employed from January to May, 2013 among 675 female youth of Ambo town. A multistage sampling technique was applied. The participants were selected using simple random sampling technique. Face to face interview using structured and pretested questionnaires were used to collect the data from the study participants. Data was entered, cleaned by using Epi-Info version 3.5.1 and exported to SPSS version 16.00 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of early sexual initiation. Result: Nearly half, 48.7% of the study participants have ever had sex. The mean age at first sexual initiation was 16.74 (SD ±2.1) years. Being in age group 20-24 (AOR=2.75, 95% CI; 1.74, 4.34), having paid job (AOR=2.20, 95% CI; 1.19, 4.07), peer pressure (AOR=3.20, 95% CI; 2.08, 4.94), alcohol (AOR=2.17, 95% CI; 1.43, 3.28) and pornographic materials (AOR=2.27, 95% CI; 1.43, 3.61) have significant association with early sexual initiation. Educational level (AOR=0.20, 95% CI; 0.08, 0.48) and being in school (AOR=0.19, 95% CI; 0.11, 0.33), was found less likely to initiate sex earlier. Conclusion: Substantial amount of female youths had started sexual activity that might expose them to different reproductive health problems. In general, educational status, age group, peer pressure, alcohol consumption and watching pornographic materials were predictors for the sexual initiation. Therefore, building life skill, an active effort to promote sexuality education, establishing and strengthening youth center/club should be intensified, particularly for young women, in making informed decisions about sexuality issues to reduce youth reproductive health problems.