Sexual practices among unmarried adolescents in Tanzania

Abstract

BackgroundSexual activities are increasingly changing from the cultural point of view what they used to be. Knowledge of these practices among adolescents may be a basis to create awareness among adolescents on practices that involve risks. This study aims to assess sexual practices among unmarried adolescents in Tanzania.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among in-school and out-of-school but unmarried adolescents aged 10 to 19 in five locations in Tanzania. A questionnaire was used to collect information and to characterize sexual practices among these adolescents.ResultsAbout 32% of adolescents reported being sexually active; a higher proportion being males than females. The only inquired and reported sexual practices include vaginal sex, masturbation, oral and anal sex. About 15% of sexually active adolescents reported having multiple sexual partners. Significantly more males reported having multiple partners than females. Nearly 42% of sexually active adolescents reported having used a condom during most recent sexual act. Females reported older partners at first sexual act.ConclusionAdolescents experience several sexual practices that include penetrative and non-penetrative. More males reported being sexually active than females. Despite adolescents reporting having multiple sexual partners, reported condom use during the most recent sexual act was low. We advocate for a more enhanced approach of reproductive health education that includes safer sex to adolescents without forgetting those in-schools.

Premarital Sex, Safer Sex and Factors Influencing Premarital Sex Practices Among Senior Secondary School Students in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State Nigeria

“…Rape may be under-reported in this study probably because it is considered shameful and hence remains secrete [22]. Another study done by Kazaura et al, revealed that 12.2% of unmarried adolescents reported rape as reason for the first sex [3]. It is possible that if the stigma attached to rape is removed, many more victims may likely report it and the perpetrators punished.…”

“…In India, HIV prevention efforts among the young are on the increase because it has been shown that about 21.7% of males and 6.3% of females become sexually active before marriage [2]. Elsewhere in Africa, the prevalence of premarital sex was found to be 32% among the young [3]. In 2008, 20% of women in Nigeria were already sexually active by age 15, and the median age for first sex stood at 17.7 years for women and 20.6 years for men [4].…”

Pattern, Types and Predictors of Contraception among Female In-School and Out-of-School Adolescents in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria

“…Also, comparative studies of the group have shown disparities. A study done in Tanzania and Ghana revealed that in-school adolescents initiated sex at lower age than the out-of-school adolescents and had lower contraceptive use [3] [6]. In contrast, a similar study carried out in Uganda reported that in-school adolescents had initiated sex at a later age and had higher contraceptive use than out-of-school adolescents [4].…”

Knowledge, Sources of information, and Risk Factors for Sexually Transmitted Infections among Secondary School Youth in Zaria, Northern Nigeria

“…This might not be unconnected to the HIV/AIDS epidemic that is again common among this population. Previously, because of cultural and religious factors, [22] it is difficult to openly discuss and even teach youths sex education. The publicity campaigns on HIV/AIDS prevention have opened a window of opportunity to also discuss other sexually transmitted infections.…”