Factors associated with age at sexual debut of adolescents in Uganda.

Abstract

The study examined the factors associated with Age at sexual debut of Adolescents in Uganda. The study used secondary data from UDHS 2016 specifically the female and male datasets. Analysis was done at uni-variable, bi-variable and multivariable levels using Kaplan-Meir estimates, log rank chi square test and Cox Proportional Hazard Model. A total of 4276 females and 1270 males were studied, 1956 females and 540 males had ever had sex. The findings showed that the median age at sexual debut of the females and males was 15.5 and 14.6 years respectively, for the female Adolescents: Age of the respondent, marital status (living together with a partner and no longer living together), the region (Busoga, Bukedi and Karamoja) and contraceptive were significantly associated with Age at sexual debut and for the male Adolescents: Age of the respondent, highest level of education attained (higher institutions, secondary and primary, region (Tooro) and circumcision status were significantly associated with Age at sexual debut at 5% level of significance. The results showed that as both the male and female Adolescents grew older they were less likely to have their sexual debut, for female Adolescents: those whose marital status is no longer living together and those living with a partner have their sexual debut at relatively lower ages, those from Busoga, Bukedi and Karamoja (in that order) have sex at lower ages compared to those from the other regions, those that used contraceptives and those that have ever been tested for HIV have sex at relatively lower ages and for the male Adolescents: those that attain higher levels of education have sex late compared to those that never went to school, those from Tooro region have sex much earlier than those from the rest of the regions and those circumcised had sex much earlier than those that were not circumcised. It is therefore recommended that policies and a constitutional framework, sex education and information on reproductive health and poverty reduction incentives are enhanced in Busoga, Bukedi, Karamoja and Tooro regions where there are very high levels of poverty be fostered by government and other stake holders as these will directly and indirectly increase the ages at sexual debut of Adolescents in Uganda.