Abstract
Adolescent sexual practices have been widely investigated as experiences that pose potential risks for health. The present study, therefore, aimed to investigate individual and contextual factors associated with sexual initiation, sexual activity before the age of 15 years, and inconsistent condom use. A total of 253 adolescents aged 11 to 18 years, from public schools in the capital and metropolitan region of Rio Grande do Sul, were interviewed. They answered a questionnaire covering sociodemographic data and sexual behaviors and completed the Perception of Family Support Inventory. The data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics and it was verified that both individual (higher level of education, school repetition, and use of licit and illicit substances) and contextual factors (perception of less affective-consistent support and greater autonomy from the family) were related to sexual initiation among adolescents. The associations found for the groups with sexual initiation before and after 15 years of age were similar, indicating that age did not increase the exposure to risks. Inconsistent condom use was related to the use of tobacco and other drugs. Taken together, the results indicated the co-occurrence of risk behaviors, such as sexual risks and substance abuse, as well as highlighting some family characteristics as protective factors.
Highlights
Among the stages of the life cycle, adolescence has been associated with concerns about harm prevention and health promotion
Part I: Sexual initiation and associated individual and contextual factors The participation according to the school year was well distributed, with the 7th grade being the one with most participants (29.6%)
The present study aimed to evaluate the association between individual and contextual factors and sexual activity in adolescence, addressing early sexual initiation and inconsistent condom use, behaviors that have been associated with health risks (Dallo & Martins, 2018; Espada et al, 2014)
Summary
Among the stages of the life cycle, adolescence has been associated with concerns about harm prevention and health promotion. Adolescents have been considered a vulnerable group for the acquisition of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies, mainly because they are seen as immature for making decisions related to their health (Spencer, Doull, & Shoveller, 2012). In 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted the need for countries to invest in health strategies for this population, as the main cause of death among adolescents was related to HIV infection/AIDS and other risk behaviors, such as motor vehicle accidents. Younger age at sexual initiation is associated with emotional immaturity and a lower perception of risk and of the consequences of the actions, making these adolescents more vulnerable to group influences (Espada et al, 2014; González, Montero, Martínez, Mena, & Varas, 2010; Siegel, Lekas, de Ramjohn, Schrimshaw, & VanDevanter, 2014)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
