Abstract
BackgroundIn Nepal, evidence is sparse regarding the use of contraception at first and current relationships among sexually active young people. This study examined the factors associated with modern contraceptive use at first and current sexual relationships.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional household survey conducted amongst young Nepalese men and women living in the urban areas of the Kathmandu valley. We used logistic regression to model the relationship between selected independent variables and outcome variables (use at first sexual intercourse and current use of modern contraception) among 492 ever sexually active youth aged 15–24 years.ResultsWe found that the key factors associated with current non-use of modern contraceptives among sexually active youth age 15–24 were young age at first sexual contact and a relationship with someone other than a spouse, while significant factor associated with current use of contraception was religion, revealing that Hindu youths having lower odds of use compared to young people who belonged to other religions.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that contraception education should be intensified and directly towards those entering adolescence to encourage youths to adopt contraception at the time of their first sexual relationship. The influence of religion on use of modern contraception needs further exploration.
Highlights
In Nepal, evidence is sparse regarding the use of contraception at first and current relationships among sexually active young people
This study aims to examine the factors associated with contraceptive use at the first sexual intercourse and current relationships among Nepalese youth living in urban areas of the Kathmandu Valley
We found that half of young people had used a modern method of contraception at first intercourse and over two thirds in their current relationships and in both circumstances condoms were the most frequently used method followed by the oral contraceptive pill and injectables
Summary
In Nepal, evidence is sparse regarding the use of contraception at first and current relationships among sexually active young people. This study examined the factors associated with modern contraceptive use at first and current sexual relationships. Sexual experimentation, combined with low and irregular use of condoms in Nepalese society places young people at risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infection [7, 13, 15,16,17]. The Nepal Adolescent and Youth Survey 2010/2011 reported that one in six young people aged 15–24 had been involved in risky sexual practices such as oral, anal and paid sex and almost 13% had premarital sex, of which only 46% had used contraception at the time of their first sexual intercourse [15]. % of youth currently using modern contraceptive Odd ratio/CI Sex: 151 (77.3) 94 (62.4) 0.043* Ref.
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