Abstract
This study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of sexual risk behaviors among adolescents in the Caribbean. Nationally representative cross-sectional data were analyzed from 9143 adolescents (15 years = median age) that took part in the 2016 Dominican Republic, 2016 Suriname, 2017 Jamaica, and 2017 Trinidad and Tobago Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS). The results indicate that 41.4% of the students had ever had sex, ranging from 26.4% in Trinidad and Tobago to 48.1% in Jamaica. Among the sexually active, 58.8% had had ≥2 sexual partners; 58.6% had had an early sexual debut (≤14 years); 41.9% had not used birth control the last time they had sex; 28.4% had not used a condom the last time they had sex; and, of the whole sample, 31.9% had engaged in two or more (multiple) sexual risk behaviors, ranging from 16.5% in Trinidad and Tobago to 40.3% in Jamaica. In an adjusted logistic regression analysis, substance use (tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis), psychological distress, frequent soft drink intake, participation in physical fighting, school truancy, older age, and male sex were associated with single and/or multiple sexual risk behaviors. A large number of adolescents in the Caribbean reported sexual risk behaviors, emphasizing the need for intervention.
Highlights
Sexual initiation often occurs during the adolescent period and is associated with unprotected sex and other sexual risk behaviors [1]
The sample consisted of 9143 school adolescents from the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago; the overall mean age was 15.3 years (SD = 1.6)
In an adjusted logistic regression analysis, male sex was associated with ever having had sex (AOR: 4.41, 95% CI: 3.62–5.36), an early sexual debut (AOR: 7.26, 95% CI: 5.89–9.62), multiple sexual partners (AOR: 7.95, 95% CI: 5.39–11.84), non-condom use in the last sexual encounter (AOR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.91–4.40), non-birth control use in the last sexual encounter (AOR: 3.84, 95% CI: 2.45–6.02), and multiple sexual risk behavior (AOR: 7.16, 95% CI: 5.61–9.15)
Summary
Sexual initiation often occurs during the adolescent period and is associated with unprotected sex and other sexual risk behaviors [1]. Among adolescents in Caribbean countries, various sexual risk behaviors, such as early sexual debut and unprotected sex, have been identified, including its consequences of sexually transmitted infection and adolescent pregnancy [2,3]. About 40% of boys and 20% of girls (13–15 years) had initiated sex [2], and of those sexually active, 79% of boys and 56% of girls had had an early sexual debut (
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
