Factors associated with age at first sex in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing age at first sex in Eastern Uganda. The specific objectives; 1) to examine the relationship between the demographic factors and age at first sex; 2) to explore the relationship between economic factors and age at first sex and; 3) to identify the relationship between household related factors and age at first sex. UDHS 2016 household secondary data was used for this study. The study applied quantitative analysis. The study used a sample size of 18506 respondents. The study findings showed that; for the relationship between the demographic factors and age at first sex, region of residence, type of residence, and sex of the household head significantly affect age at first sex while religion does not significantly influence age at first; then for the relationship between economic factors and age at first sex, literacy, educational attainment and wealth index significantly influences age at first sex while current marital status was also found to insignificantly influence age at first sex and finally for the relationship between household related factors and age at first sex, it was illustrated that; Number of sexual union and ever tested for HIV were found to significantly influence age at first sex while knowledge of any method was also found to insignificantly affect age at first sex. The study concluded that factors influencing age at first sex vary from region to region, country to country etc. The study further recommended that; regions in Uganda has higher number of people who initiate sex at an early age.