Trends over time in age at sexual debut among Polish women and underlying socio-economic determinants.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate (1) changes over time in age at sexual initiation among Polish women and (2) underlying socio-economic determinants. 273 women born between 1975 and 1995 in Wielkopolska region (Poland) filled in a questionnaire of sexual behavior. The questionnaire included questions about the age of sexual initiation and women's socio-economic status such as place of residence, level of education, type of school, marital status. Database and statistical analyzes were performed using Statistica 10.0. Age of sexual initiation differed significantly among the cohorts of women stratified by birth cohort (H = 61.4, p < 0.001). In cohort I (born between 1970-1975), mean age of initiation was 18.97 years, in cohort II (1976-1980) 18.67 years, in cohort III (1981-1985) 18.53 years; cohort IV (1986-1990) 18.27 years, and cohort V (1991-1995) 16.41 years. Two socio-economic variables significantly affected the age of the sexual activity onset: the type of school and level of education. The mean age of sexual debut among Polish women has significantly decreased over the last 40 years, with the largest, statistically significant difference observed between the most recent cohort of women (born between 1991-1995) and the other cohorts (born between 1970-1990). The most significant socio-economic determinants of age at first sex were the type of school and level of education.