Factors associated with early sexual debut in Slovenia: results of a general population survey

The Role of Effective Knowledge on Contraceptive Methods Use in the Replication of Mother-Daughter Adolescent Pregnancy in Mexico

An important gap in the literature is the analysis of the role of effective knowledge concerning use of contraceptive methods in the intergenerational reproduction of adolescent pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries. Using data from the 2014 Mexico National Survey of Demographic Dynamics, we conducted a retrospective cohort and complete case analysis of women aged ≤ 19 years cohabitating with their mothers and who self-reported having had sexual intercourse at the moment of the survey (n = 5143). We estimated instrumental variable probit models (IV-probit) to assess the association between effective knowledge concerning the use of contraceptive methods and adolescent pregnancy. We stratified our models according to parental history of adolescent pregnancy. Adolescent pregnancy prevalence in our sample was 58.7%. The IV-probit model showed that mothers with a history of adolescent pregnancy were 12.1 percentage points more likely to have daughters who experience adolescent pregnancy. In addition, daughters with effective knowledge concerning the use of contraceptive methods were 1.3 percentage points less likely to experience an adolescent pregnancy. Our findings carry relevant implications for policies seeking to reduce adolescent pregnancy. They highlight the need for policies and programs that tackle the intergenerational transmission of sexual and reproductive behaviors by increasing the information available to adolescents and enhancing their effective knowledge about the use of contraceptive methods. Identifying population groups at higher risk of adolescent pregnancy can contribute to the design of successful reproductive health policies in Mexico and other low- and middle-income countries.

Trends and gender differences in age at sex debut among adolescents and young adults in urban Cape Area, South Africa

BACKGROUND

Adolescents and young adults in South Africa are at increased risk of experiencing negative outcomes from early sex initiation due to the context they develop in. This study aimed at investigating trends and gender differences in early age at sexual debut.

METHODS

Data from the Cape Area Panel Study (CAPS) of young adults' conducted between 2002 and 2009 in urban Cape Town were used. Correlates of early sex using ecological risk factors were analysed.

RESULTS

Overall mean age at sexual debut at follow-up was 17.5 years (standard deviation (SD) =2.5), with males at 16.8 years (SD=2.5) and 18.1 years (SD=2.4) for females. Males consistently reported an earlier age at sex debut across the five waves of the survey. Significant risk factors for early sex appeared at all levels of the ecology to include individual, household, and community factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrated interventions for delaying early sex debut should consider factors within the ecology of the young adults' development context.

Behavioral Sexual Characteristics of Female Students in Bosnia and Herzegovina

INTRODUCTION

Characteristics of sexual behaviour of female students, which will affect fertility in adulthood, represent one of the critical parameters of reproductive health.

AIM

The aim of this study was assess characteristics of sexual behavior of female students in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a prospective study on a representative sample of 2,872 regular girls aged 19-24 years, an anonymous survey on the reproductive health of female students in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2007 to 2009 was conducted.

RESULTS

Of the total number (N = 2872) of surveyed female students, 49.44% were sexually active. Average sexarcha age was 18.14±1.83 years, and there was statistically significant earlier sexarcha in female students in Banja Luka vs. female students of the University of Sarajevo (p<0.001), as well as in female students in Mostar vs. female students of the University of Tuzla (p<0.001). Sexually active female students in 74,4 % cases had intercourses with only one partner, and 7,7 % of them had intercourses with three or more partners. Regarding the use of contraceptive methods, 69.4% female students were using contraception at first intercourse and 66.7% of them at last intercourse. 3.5% of sexually active students (N=50) had intentional abortion. Almost half (46.9%) of surveyed female students had regular pelvic exams; nearly two-third of those (63.4%) had gynecological exams in private institutions, and 36.6% of them in public health facilitie. Only one-third (35.8%) sexually active female students in BiH stated that Pap test was performed.

CONCLUSION

Sexual behaviour of female students in BiH is less risky than in the immediate environment, but health care quality is poor.

Prevalência de relação sexual e fatores associados em adolescentes escolares de Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil

Objetivou-se investigar a prevalência de relação sexual em adolescentes de um município brasileiro e sua associação com fatores sociodemográficos, comportamentos de risco à saúde e percepção da imagem corporal. Estudo transversal utilizando dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar - PeNSE realizada em 2009. A amostra foi composta por escolares do 9° ano de Goiânia, Goiás (n = 3.099), com predomínio das idades de 13 a 15 anos. A variável dependente foi o relato de relação sexual alguma vez. Para identificação das variáveis associadas foi realizada análise de regressão de Poisson. A prevalência de relação sexual alguma vez foi de 26,5% (IC95% = 23,8-29,4). Este comportamento foi mais prevalente em adolescentes do sexo masculino, com idade de 14 anos ou mais, que não moravam com a mãe ou com o pai, estudavam em escolas públicas, relataram ter experimentado álcool, tabaco e outras drogas, e envolvimento em brigas e agressão familiar. Conclui-se que a prevalência de relação sexual alguma vez foi elevada e associada a condições sociodemográficas mais precárias, comportamentos de risco à saúde e violência. Estes fatores devem ser considerados nas estratégias de promoção de saúde, visando comportamentos sexuais seguros e saudáveis na adolescência.

Gender differences in exposure to SRH information and risky sexual debut among poor Myanmar youths

BACKGROUND

Globally, the proportion of youths has been steadily increasing, especially in Asia. This vulnerable population has limited exposure to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information leading to various reproductive health (RH) problems including risky sexual debut, unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion as well as STI/HIV infections. Among known social variations which influence youth's RH, gender differences are critical for planning necessary gender appropriate interventions. This study aimed to identify gender differences in exposure to SRH information and risky sexual debut as well as associated factors among Myanmar youths in poor suburban communities of Mandalay City.

METHODS

A total of 444 randomly selected youths (aged 15-24 years) from all poor, suburban communities in Mandalay City took part in our survey. Gender differences in exposure to SRH information and risky sexual debut were assessed by bivariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to confirm gender differences and identify independent factors associated with main outcomes separately for males and females as well as for both.

RESULTS

Of 444 youths interviewed, 215 were males and 229 were females. Gender differences were seen in both exposures to SRH information (p = 0.013) and risky sexual debut (p = 0.003). These gender differences were confirmed by multivariate analysis even after adjusting for other risk factors. For exposure to SRH information, only age group and schooling status were significant factors for females. As well as those two factors, media exposure and parental guardianship were significant factors among males. Only positive norm of premarital sex increased the likelihood of risky sexual debut among males. In contrast, unwillingness at sexual debut was a risk factor and a higher education level was a protective factor for risky sexual debut among females.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited exposure to SRH information and high risky sexual debut among poor youths were found. There were different influential factors for RH behaviors between males and females. Policy makers as well as local RH care providers should be aware of these differences. Dissemination of reliable SRH information among youths through possible mass media, especially among males, is an urgent issue.

Health Related Aspects of Sexual Behaviour Among Internet Daters in Slovenia

Izhodišča: V članku predstavljamo izsledke prve sociološke raziskave o spolnem vedenju uporabnikov interneta za internetne zmenke v Sloveniji s posebnim poudarkom na z zdravjem povezanih vidikih spolnega vedenja ljudi, ki se za zmenke dogovarjajo prek interneta.

Metode: Vzorec predstavljajo uporabniki internetnih strani za spoznavanje partnerjev. Uporabili smo vzorčenje po metodi snežne kepe prek elektronske pošte in z objavo oglasa na portalih za spoznavanje partnerjev prek interneta. Podatki so bili zbrani v januarju in februarju 2007. Končni vzorec sestavlja 1.349 anketirancev.

Rezultati: Večina anketirancev ni imela (44,2%) ali pa je imela majhno število spolnih partnerjev, ki so jih spoznali prek interneta (od 1 do 5 - 48%). Glede na spolno usmerjenost je imelo spolni odnos na prvem zmenku z osebo z interneta od 15 do 40% moških v primerjavi z od 7 do 18% žensk. Tretjina heteroseksualnih moških in žensk pri prvem spolnem odnosu z zadnjo osebo z interneta ni uporabila kondoma. Med uporabniki kondoma pri prvem spolnem odnosu z zadnjo osebo z interneta je največ homoseksualnih moških. Med njimi jih je 17% navedlo, da kondoma niso uporabili.

Zaključki: Izsledki raziskave kažejo, da je čas od prvega on-line stika do prvega spolnega odnosa pomemben pokazatelj za zdravje potencialno rizičnega spolnega vedenja. Naši podatki kažejo, da to velja še posebej za biseksualno usmerjene moške. Podatki o uporabi kondoma kažejo, da je »obdobje aidsa« pustilo močen pečat na populacijo homoseksualnih moških, ki v daleč največji meri uporabljajo kondom v primerjavi s heteroseksualno in z biseksualno usmerjenimi anketiranci.

Early sexual debut and condom nonuse among adolescents in South Korea

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors related to sexual debut among adolescents, and to examine the association between subject characteristics and condom nonuse among those who experienced sexual intercourse in South Korea.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the 2009 Korean Youth Risk Behaviour Survey, a nationally representative sample. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the factors related to sexual debut, associations of condom nonuse and subject characteristics.

RESULTS

Among male adolescents, age, early age at first emission, low academic achievement, living with a step-parent, perceived low level of household income, frequent drinking and smoking, and depressive feelings were associated with early sexual debut. Attending a coeducational school, living with a single biological parent and step-parent, risky health behaviour such as drinking and smoking, and depressive feelings were related risks factors for early sexual debut among female students. Factors associated with condom nonuse included early sexual debut (less than 16 years of age) (odds ratio (OR)=1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.32-2.43) and frequent smoking behaviour (OR=1.49, 95% CI=1.08-2.05) for males and early sexual debut (OR=4.37, 95% CI=1.02-18.68) and frequent drinking (OR=2.05, 95% CI=1.12-3.75) for females.

CONCLUSIONS

Appropriate interventions should be implemented for adolescents in Korea to delay sexual debut and educate them on the proper use of condoms.

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

Background

More 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.

Methods

A 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.

Results

About 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.

Conclusion

A 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.

Sexual behaviour in Ligurian (Northern Italy) adolescents and young people: suggestions for HPV vaccination policies

Human papillomavirus is a common sexually transmitted virus, and persistent infection with high-risk types is the necessary factor for cervical cancer. We investigated sexual behaviour and the age of the first sexual intercourse among young people (14-24 years) in Liguria (Northern Italy) in order to provide information that might orient the country's future vaccination policy. The Italian Authorities offer free vaccination to 12-year-old females, however a better prevention of HPV would to be implemented by introducing the vaccine to new cohorts of females after the first year of the vaccination campaign. Our survey was carried out from 1st May 2006 to 31st December 2007 and involved 3474 volunteers. We administered a written questionnaire to students (14-24 years) and workers (20-24 years). The median age+/-MAD of the sexual debut was 15+/-1 for both females and males in students group and 16+/-1 for both males and females in workers group. This study provides evidence that many Ligurian adolescents have their first sexual experience at a very early age, and often without protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Furthermore, a large percentage of all age-groups are sexually active and have multiple partners. The aim of this study was to identify those cohorts of females to whom vaccination should be offered free of charge. To this end, we calculated the percentage of infections that could be avoided by vaccination in each age-class: the younger the subjects, the higher the number of preventable infections. Our findings suggest that current HPV vaccination should be implemented by introducing new cohorts, especially young girls (14-16 years).

Sexual activity and contraceptive use among secondary-school students in Slovenia

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate sexual activity and contraceptive use among secondary-school students in Slovenia.

METHODS

A representative sample of 1095 third grade secondary-school students in Slovenia in 2004 was assessed by means of a self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS

The average age of the students was 17.4 +/- 0.7 years. Most students had experienced being in love (92%), dating (82%), kissing (87%), caressing (78%) and petting (61%). One half (53%) of them had already had coitus. Homosexual contacts had occurred among 2% of the boys and 11% of the girls. The main reason for the first sexual intercourse was love (44%) but it occurred by chance in 27% of the cases. Contraceptive methods used foremost at first intercourse were the condom (75%) and the pill (7%). Contraceptive methods resorted to on the occasion of the last intercourse were the condom (50%), the pill (32%), a double method whereby a condom is used in addition to the pill (4%), withdrawal (4%), periodic abstinence (1%), emergency contraception (1%), and other methods (1%); no contraceptive measures at all were applied in 7% of the encounters.

CONCLUSIONS

At the age of 17 about one half of secondary-school students in Slovenia have already had sexual intercourse. Most students resort to effective contraception, but the double method is underused.

The effects of family structure, parent-child relationship and parental monitoring on early sexual behaviour among adolescents in nine European countries

AIMS

To identify the influence of family structure, parent-child relationship and parental monitoring on adolescents' involvement in early sexual behaviour.

METHODS

The study was undertaken in the context of the World Health Organization collaborative Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study. The representative samples were drawn from 10 European countries. A group of 14,287 (6716 boys and 7571 girls) 15-year-olds was surveyed. The data were collected by standardized questionnaires. Adolescents were asked about sexual behaviour, family structure, parent-child communication, and parental control. A logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the impact of determinants.

RESULTS

Greenlandic adolescents were predominantly engaged in early sexual behaviour. Intact family was a key protective factor for adolescents' early sexual behaviour. It significantly decreased both boys' and girls' involvement in early sexual behaviour. Close parent-adolescent relationships and a high level of parental monitoring were found to be less protective factors than family structure. Easy communication with parents, especially with the mother, was more significant for girls' than for boys' early sexual behaviour. A low level of maternal monitoring had a higher impact on boys' early sexual behaviour, while a low level of paternal monitoring had a higher impact on girls. For both maternal and paternal monitoring, the strongest relationship was observed among Hungarian adolescents, but among Greenlanders it was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Many 15-year-olds in European countries are engaged in early sexual behaviour. A close parent- child relationship and a high level of parental monitoring are not as important for adolescents' early sexual behaviour as an intact family.