Timing of Sexual Debut Among Unmarried Youths Aged 15–24 Years in Sub-Saharan Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID24076200
AuthorsJoshua Amo-Adjei (0000-0001-8394-1874, University of Cape Coast, corresponding author), Derek Anamaale Tuoyire (0000-0001-6877-7826, University of Cape Coast)
Year2018
Volume50
Issue2
Pages161-177
Publication date2018-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Biosocial Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-9320 • E-ISSN: 1469-7599
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0021932017000098
PMID28382871
OpenAlexW2604184173
LanguageEN
Citations received27
References cited51

This study aimed to contribute to the evidence on the timing of sexual debut in young people in sub-Saharan African countries. Data were extracted from 34 nationally representative surveys conducted in the region between 2006 and 2014. The study sample comprised unmarried women ( n =167,932) and men ( n =76,900) aged 15–24 years. Descriptive techniques and Cox proportional regression models were used to estimate the timing of sexual debut, and Kaplan–Meier hazard curves were used to describe the patterns of sexual debut in each country by sex. For the countries studied, sexual debut for both women and men occurred between the ages of 15 and 18 years, with median ages of 16 for women and 17 for men. Overall, education and household wealth provided significant protection against early sexual debut among women, but the reverse was found among men for wealth. Women in rural areas, in female-headed households and in Central, South and West Africa reported higher hazards of early commencement of sexual activity than their counterparts in urban, male-headed households and East Africa. However, the impact of these variables on male sexual debut did not follow a consistent pattern. Varied timing, as well as country-specific risk factors associated with sexual debut for young women and men across sub-Saharan Africa, were identified. Sexual health programmes and interventions for young people may require different approaches for young women and men.

Confidence interval · Hazard ratio · Population · Proportional hazards model · Psychological intervention · Reproductive health · Rural area · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Gerontology