Prevalence and associated factors of early sexual debut among preparatory school students in Gondar town 2018

Abstract

Background: Early sexual debut is thought to increase the risk of engaging in risky sexual behaviors like having multiple sexual partners, performing casual sex and having sex without the use of protective methods. These risky sexual behaviors predispose youths to several sexual and reproductive health problems like acquiring HIV infection, unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of early sexual debut among preparatory school students in Gondar town North West Ethiopia. Methods: School based Cross sectional study was conducted from October 20 朜ovember 30 /2018. A multistage cluster random sampling technique was used to draw 796 students. Structured and pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, Binary logistic regression analyses were done. P-value < 0.05 was used to consider significant variables. Result: From a total of 796 students, 750 students complete the questionnaire giving a response rate of 94.24%. Twenty percent of the respondents reported having had early sexual debut with 95%CI Conclusion The results of this study indicated that one fifth of students engaged in early sexual intercourse. Lesson on sexual education, alcohol drinking, discussion on sexual issues with parents, school connectedness were found significantly associated with early sexual debut. Sexual education programs at earlier life, Parents training in a way that enables them to acquire their teens with the necessary skill for sexual negotiation, promoting school connectedness and legislative restriction on Sale of alcohol to adolescents may help to delay early sexual debut. Key words: early sexual debut, preparatory students, Gondar