Factors influencing sexual debut among adolescents in Mayuge district

Abstract

Background: Early sexual debut (ESD) among adolescents remains a critical global public health concern with significant implications for the well-being and development of young individuals, and it's disproportionately associated with increased risks of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), emotional distress, and hindered educational and socioeconomic opportunities. Factors contributing to early sexual debut (ESD) have not been adequately investigated, while more than 30% of adolescents in Mayuge district experienced early sexual debut. This study aimed to identify factors influencing early sexual debut among adolescents in Mayuge district in Eastern Uganda.

Methods: The study used data from the Africa Youth Alliance (AYA) study, a comprehensive research initiative focusing on adolescent reproductive health in Uganda. A total sample of 25% adolescents aged 10-24 who ever had sexual intercourse were included in our analyses. I examined the association between early sexual debut (ESD) and independent variables using binary logistic regression analysis. The results are presented using odds ratio (OR), with their respective confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Result: A total of 95(37.29%) adolescents had experienced early sexual debut. The determinants of early sexual debut among adolescents were; adolescent's age, and education level. The odds of early sexual debut were lower among adolescents who were 18 years and above (OR: 0.149; CI: 0.078-0.283] compared to their counterpart below 18 years and had attained secondary level of education [OR: 0.297; CI: 0.903-0.585] in reference to no formal education level.