Prevalence and Predictors of Early Sexual Debut among Adolescents in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Fehintola Funmito Omolola^1, , Fehintola Akintunde Olusegun², Ogunlaja Olumuyiwa A³, Akinola Samuel Ebun³, Awotunde Timothy Olufemi³, Ogunlaja Idowu Paulin⁴ and Ogundele Olorunfemi Akinbode⁵

¹Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

²Department of Obstetrics, Gyneacology and Perinatology, College of Health Sciences Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

³Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

⁴Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, General Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

⁵Department of Community Health and Primary Care, State Specialist Hospital Ondo, Ondo City Nigeria

Cite this paper:
Fehintola Funmito Omolola, Fehintola Akintunde Olusegun, Ogunlaja Olumuyiwa A, Akinola Samuel Ebun, Awotunde Timothy Olufemi, Ogunlaja Idowu Paulin and Ogundele Olorunfemi Akinbode. Prevalence and Predictors of Early Sexual Debut among Adolescents in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. American Journal of Public Health Research. 2018; 6(3):148-154. doi: 10.12691/ajphr-6-3-4

Abstract

Background: Adolescent sexuality is an important subject of social concern because of its connection to negative outcomes like adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. The timing of an adolescent’s first sexual intercourse is thus a key variable affecting those negative outcomes. This study thought to determine the prevalence and predictors of early sexual debut among never-married adolescents in Ogbomoso, South-Western Nigeria. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out between January and March 2016. Data was collected from a total of 447 never-married adolescents between 16 and 19 years using semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaires. Data was analyzed in SPSS version 20. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: About a quarter (26.80%) of the adolescents were sexually active with mean age at sexual debut of 15.80 in girls and 15.40 years in boys. An average of 18.60% had experienced sexual debut before their 15th birthday, 16.60 % in boys, and 20.20% in girls. Polygamous family setting, peer sex education, alcohol use, and poor reproductive health knowledge were predictors of early sexual debut. Conclusion: The study concluded that early initiation of sexual debut is high among study participants that have initiated sex. Religiosity and good social behavior were found to be protective against early sexual debut. Therefore, there is the need to ensure effective programmes that will built upon the understanding of those factors associated with an increased likelihood of an early sexual debut.

Keywords:
prevalence predictors early sexual debut

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