Factors influencing early sexual debut among adolescents in Kasese District
Abstract
Background: reducing early sexual debut among adolescents comes with various benefits, including the reduction of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections and sexual and reproductive health. I examined the factors influencing sexual debut among adolescents in Kasese district.
Methods: A total sample of 167 adolescents aged 10–25 were included in our analyses. I examined the association between early sexual debut 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.
Results: The findings showed that early sexual debut among adolescents was 123(74.55%). Showing that all the selected characteristics weren’t statistically significant with early sexual debut with a p-value>0.05), except marital status and Age of the respondents. Early sexual debut was highest among adolescents aged 15–19, those with primary and None, adolescents whose fathers are Muslim, those who were never married, those whose father’s education level was secondary, those whose mother’s education level was primary, males as compared to their counterparts, those who live with both their parents and those who discussed ASRH with their peers. Multivariate analysis also portrayed that marital status is the strongest predictor of early sexual debut.
Conclusions: The findings could inform policies (e.g., girl child educational and sexual and reproductive improvement) and interventions (e.g., face-to-face counselling; small group sensitization sessions, sexual and reproductive health seminars) in Uganda on the crucial issue of increasing safer sex practice among women in sexual unions. Also, increasing male involvement in sexual and reproductive health is important to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (3 & 5) and their targets on empowering all women and safeguarding their reproductive rights hence promotion of safe sex negotiation among married women. sensitization sessions, sexual and reproductive health seminars) in Uganda on the crucial issue of increasing safer sex practice among women in sexual unions. Also, increasing male involvement in sexual and reproductive health is important to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (3 & 5) and their targets on empowering all women and safeguarding their reproductive rights hence promotion of safe sex negotiation among married women.