Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

Factors associated with age at first sexual initiation among youths in Gamo Gofa, South West Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

Authors: Marelign Tilahun, Gistane Ayele

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2013

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Early sexual initiation increases the risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. This study aimed to determine age at first sexual initiation and associated factors among youths in south west Ethiopia.

Methods

Cross-sectional study was conducted in South west Ethiopia from January 15 – March 20, 2012. A sample of youths aged 15–24 years was taken from six health centers and three hospitals using systematic sampling technique. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to assess the association between the outcome and explanatory variables.

Result

A total of 405 youths participated in the study and the mean ( ±SD ) age of sexual initiation was 17.07 years (±2.12). Age at first sexual initiation was positively associated with lack of employment [Adj. HR & (95% CI) = 7.372 (1.455, 37.357)], lack of comprehensive knowledge on HIV [Adj. HR & (95% CI) = 8.247 (2.121, 32.067)], alcohol use [Adj. HR & (95% CI) = 3.815 (1.315, 11.070)] and khat use [Adj. HR & (95% CI) = 7.241 (1.871, 28.016)].

Conclusion

Majority of the study participants experienced sexual initiation. Strategies should be designed to control the use of substances like alcohol and khat which were found to be responsible for first sexual initiation.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Jennifer C, Wendy C: Mixed-gender groups, dating and romantic relationships in early adolescence. J Res Adolesc. 2004, 14 (2): 185-207. 10.1111/j.1532-7795.2004.01402003.x.CrossRef
2.
Attawell K: Going to Scale in Ethiopia: Mobilizing Youth Participation in a National HIV/AIDS Program. 2004, Washington, D.C: The Synergy Project, Social & Scientific Systems, Inc
3.
National AIDS Prevention and Control Council: National HIV/AIDS Control Program (in Amharic). 2000, Addis Ababa., Ethiopia: National AIDS Prevention and Control Council
4.
FHI, USAID: Youth Net Assessment Team: Assessment of Youth Reproductive Health Programs in Ethiopia. 2004, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: FHI and USAID
5.
Central Statistical Agency [Ethiopia] and ORC Macro: Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2005. 2006, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Central Statistical Agency and ORC Macro
6.
Central Statistical Agency [Ethiopia] and ORC Macro: Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2010. 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Central Statistical Agency and ORC Macro
7.
Adamu R, Samuel M, Ingidashet S: Patterns and correlates of sexual initiation, sexual risk behaviors, and condom use among secondary schools in Ethiopia. Ethiop Med J. 2003, 41 (2): 163-177.PubMed
8.
Kssaye Z: Sexual experiences and their correlates among Jimma University Students, Jimma, Ethiopia. Ethiopian J Health Sci. 2005, 15 (1): 1-17.
9.
Adesegun O, Robert W: Predictors of early sexual initiation among a nationally representative sample of Nigerian adolescents. BMC Publ Health. 2008, 8: 136-10.1186/1471-2458-8-136.CrossRef
10.
Frank L, Michelle M, Fondell P, Kowaleski J, Elizabeth G: The determinants of first sex by age 14 in a high-risk adolescent population. Fam Plann Perspect. 1996, 28: 13-18. 10.2307/2135957.CrossRef
11.
Mitike M, Yemane B, Bernt L: Traditional values of virginity and sexual behaviour in rural Ethiopian youth: results from a cross-sectional study. BMC Publ Health. 2008, 8: 9-10.1186/1471-2458-8-9.CrossRef
12.
Mesfin K, Hassen TS, Ghimjha F, Teshome T: Knowledge of drug use and associated factors as perceived by health professionals, farmers, the youth and law enforcement agencies in Ethiopia. EJHD. 1999, 13 (2): 141-150.
13.
Dawit A, Asfaw D, Amare D: Khat chewing habit as a possible risk behavior for HIV infection. Ethiop J Health Dev. 2005, 19 (3): 174-181.
14.
Young H, et al: Timing of First Sex Among College Students. Korean J Androl. 2011, 29 (2): 134-10.5534/kja.2011.29.2.134.CrossRef
15.
Derege K, Atalay A, Getnet M: Khat and alcohol use and risky sex behavior among in-school and out-of-school youth in Ethiopia. BMC Publ Health. 2005, 5: 109-10.1186/1471-2458-5-109.CrossRef
16.
Okonta P, Oseji M: Relationship between knowledge of HIV/AIDS and sexual behavior among in-school adolescents in Delta State, Nigeria. Niger J Clin Pract. 2006, 9 (1): 37-39.PubMed
17.
Fekadu M, Alemayehu W: Age at sexual initiation and factors associated with it among youths in North East Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Dev. 2009, 23 (2): 154-162.
18.
Ismail S, Bitsuamlak H, Alemu K: High Risk Sexual Behaviors for STD/HIV, Pregnancies and Contraception among High School Students in a Rural Town, North Western Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Dev. 1997, 11 (1): 29-36.
19.
Alemayehu S, Mesganaw F, Alemayehu W: Reproductive health needs of out-of-school adolescents: Across-sectional comparative study of rural and urban areas in northwest Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Dev. 2006, 20 (1): 10-17.
20.
Rossem V, et al: AIDS knowledge and sexual activity among Flemish secondary school students: a multilevel analysis of the effects of type of education. BMC Publ Health. 2010, 10: 30-10.1186/1471-2458-10-30.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Factors associated with age at first sexual initiation among youths in Gamo Gofa, South West Ethiopia: a cross sectional study
Authors
Marelign Tilahun
Gistane Ayele
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-622

Other articles of this Issue 1/2013

BMC Public Health 1/2013 Go to the issue

Research article

Patterns and determinants of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices of Emirati Mothers in the United Arab Emirates

Research article

Public health economics: a systematic review of guidance for the economic evaluation of public health interventions and discussion of key methodological issues

Research article

What should be done about policy on alcohol pricing and promotions? Australian experts’ views of policy priorities: a qualitative interview study

Research article

The Integrated Behavioural Model for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: a systematic review of behavioural models and a framework for designing and evaluating behaviour change interventions in infrastructure-restricted settings

Research article

Assessment of voluntary counseling and testing service utilization and associated factors among Debre Markos University Students, North West Ethiopia: a cross-sectional survey in 2011

Study protocol

Community embedded reproductive health interventions for adolescents in Latin America: development and evaluation of a complex multi-centre intervention