Early Onset Of Sexual Intercourse Research Articles

Images pornographiques et comportements sexuels des élèves dans l’arrondissement de Cocody à Abidjan

The objective of this study was to document the influence of pornography on the sexual behaviour of school children in the Cocody district of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. This cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study was conducted from October to November 2013 with pupils from four schools in Cocody, Abidjan. A total of 398 pupils (224 boys and 174 girls) were interviewed: 14.3% of them had access to pornography on internet or television. 52.8% (210) of the 398 pupils interviewed were sexually active at the time of the survey, 41.9% (88/210) of whom had at least two sexual partners. On bivariate analysis,access to pornography was statistically associated with being sexually active (OR= 2.61; 95%CI [1.41; 4.83]), early onset of sexual intercourse (OR= 2.38; 95%CI = [1.19; 4.76]) and multiples exual partners (OR== 6.09; 95%CI= [2.79; 13.3])Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that access to pornography had a negative influence on the sexual behaviour of school children in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire].

Início da vida sexual em adolescentes escolares: um estudo transversal sobre comportamento sexual de risco em Abaetetuba, Estado do Pará, Brasil

A adolescencia e uma fase da vida compreendida entre 10 e 19 anos de idade, caracterizada pelos conflitos e descobertas. Nessa fase, os adolescentes comecam a viver suas primeiras experiencias sexuais, podendo apresentar comportamentos com risco de infeccoes por DST/Aids, os quais podem ser: inicio precoce da vida sexual e uso inconsistente de preservativo. Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar a idade da primeira relacao sexual e o uso do preservativo em adolescentes escolares de 14 a 19 anos de idade, alunos do ensino medio, matriculados na rede publica estadual no Municipio de Abaetetuba, Estado do Para, Brasil, no ano de 2010. Para a coleta de dados utilizou-se um questionario com perguntas fechadas, autopreenchivel, pre-codificado, anonimo, adaptado da Pesquisa de Comportamento, Atitudes e Praticas da Populacao Brasileira sobre DST/Aids, 2008, realizada pelo Ministerio da Saude. Para os testes estatisticos utilizaram-se os softwares STATISTICA® v.6.0 e BioEstat 5.0. Foram entrevistados 603 adolescentes, sendo 61,03% (368) mulheres e 38,97% (235) homens, com media de idade de 17,14 anos. Ja havia iniciado sua vida sexual 49,25% dos adolescentes (297) com media de idade na primeira relacao sexual de 15,23 anos. A iniciacao sexual precoce esteve associada ao sexo masculino (OR = 3,72; IC95% 2,13-6,47; p < 0,0001). O uso do preservativo na primeira relacao sexual esteve associado ao genero, sendo que as mulheres tiveram uso mais consistente nessa ocasiao (OR = 2,04; IC95% 1,20-3,47; p = 0,011). Nao usaram preservativo na primeira relacao 27,95% dos adolescentes, sendo estes 66,26% homens. Observou-se comportamento sexual de risco na amostra estudada, em especial na populacao masculina.

Embarazo en adolescentes. Estudio en Acobamba - Huancavelica. 1998

OBJETIVO: Conocer la incidencia y características clínico epidemiológicas de las gestantes adolescentes atendidas de parto, en el C.S. Acobamba-Huancavelica durante 1998. DISEÑO: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de gestantes adolescentes. RESULTADOS: Se encontró una incidencia del 16%, todos correspondientes a la adolescencia tardía (15 a 19 años). La mayoría provenía de zonas rurales (65%), con estudios primarios (55%) y unión inestable con sus parejas (100%). El 70% presentó su menarquía entre los 12 y 14 años y un 20% inició su actividad sexual antes de los 15 años. El 15% ya había estado embarazada previamente. El 40% nunca recibió control prenatal y las que sí lo hicieron empezaron tardíamente, especialmente en el tercer trimestre (50%). Se presentó 40% de complicaciones durante el embarazo y parto, ninguna en el puerperio; éstas fueron trabajo de parto prolongado (50%), desgarros perineales (25%), ruptura prematura de membranas y parto pretérmíno (12,5%). En los recién nacidos se tuvo 10% de peso bajo al nacer y 5% de prematuridad; 35% de asfixia al minuto y ningún asfixiado a los 5 minutos. CONCLUSIONES: Un deficiente grado de instrucción general, inicio temprano de relaciones sexuales y uso escaso o nulo de metodología anticonceptiva se relacionan con una alta incidencia de embarazos en adolescentes; el trabajo de parto prolongado, desgarros perineales, productos con peso bajo al nacer y prematuridad son frecuentes en adolescentes.

Prevalence and risk factors of early onset of sexual intercourse in a random sample of a multiethnic adolescent population in French Guiana

French Guiana, a French overseas department in South America, has been classified epidemic for HIV. This territory is consisting of a very young population with almost 45% of them being younger than 20 years of age. Delaying the onset of first sexual intercourse (SI) is one of the major objectives to fight HIV infection in adolescents. The objective of this study is to identify the age of first SI and the risk factors of early onset. A behavioural surveillance survey among students living on the coastline and alongside the Maroni River was conducted in 2011/2012. A total of 1603 students filled out the survey. While 60% had already SI, the mean age of first intercourse was 12.1 years for boys and 13.9 years for girls. Accordingly, over 90% had a premature onset of SI. Risk factors are age, male gender, living alongside the Maroni River, another language than the French being mother tongue, not being religious, alcohol and cannabis consumption and a bad attitude towards condom use. Risk factors for girls are an older first sexual partner, having more than three lifetime sexual partners and condom rupture. Evidence-based implementation with respect of local and socio-demographic aspects is necessary to improve youths’ appreciation of SI and related risk of sexual transmitted diseases.

Sexual Initiation and Factors Associated with it among Addis Ababa University Undergraduate Students, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Early onset of sexual intercourse associate with increased lifetime prevalence of sexual partners that increase the risk of exposure to sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. Alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, or use of illicit drugs by youths associate with increased risks of sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners and lower rates of condom use. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the proportion of sexual initiation and associated factors among Addis Ababa university undergraduate students. Methods: A cross-sectional institution based study design was conducted from November to December 2013 at Addis Ababa university undergraduate students. Multistage sampling technique was used to draw 1012 sample students. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire method supplemented by focus group discussion. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression statistical analyses were employed to examine the relationship between sexual initiation and selected exposure factors. Statistical significant association was determined using 95% confidence interval of adjusted odd ratio and p value less than 0.05. Results: Thirty nine percent of the participants had sexual intercourse at the time of the survey, of which 129 (34.7%) were females. The mean age at first sexual intercourse was 17.6(±1.9). Majority 262 (27.4%) of sexually active students had their first sexual intercourse before the age of 18 years old. Being male [AOR=1.4; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.0], alcohol drinking [AOR=2.8; 95% CI: 2.0, 3.9], khat chewing [AOR=2.0; 95% CI: 1.4, 2.9] and watching pornographic movies [AOR=2.9; 95%CI: 1.9, 4.4] significantly associated with sexual initiation. Conclusion: There is high level of sexual initiation among the study participants. Significant proportion of students had multiple sexual partner and sexual practice without condom with non- regular sexual partners. The university and local health bodies should work together to address the identified risky sexual practices with particular focus on behavior change communication.

Acculturation, Gender Disparity, and the Sexual Behavior of Asian American Youth

Asian American youth are less likely to be sexually active than adolescents from other ethnic groups; however, with acculturation, they may adopt the more liberal sexual norms of American society. Moreover, owing to differing parental expectations for sons and daughters about sexuality, gender disparity might exist in the adoption of American sexual norms. This article used the proportional hazards model and the generalized estimating equations Poisson model to examine how acculturation influences the initiation of sexual intercourse and the number of sexual partners. The results show that acculturation leads to more liberal sexual mores among Asian American youth. However, despite what might be expected from the sexual double standard, the models show that more acculturated females, as indicated by their use of English at home, had an earlier onset of sexual intercourse and a higher number of sexual partners. This is the opposite of what would be predicted by the sexual double standard theory. This might be due to the fact that Asian females tend to be more socially accepted by the host society than Asian males. Information on partners shows that Asian American females have more diversified racial backgrounds than their male counterparts. They are also more likely to have older sexual partners.

Early onset of sexual intercourse is an indicator for hazardous lifestyle and problematic life situation

In public health efforts, knowledge about risk-groups is important for creating societal conditions to ensure good health on equal terms. To investigate differences in lifestyle and perceived health among 15-year-old teenagers with experience of sexual intercourse (self-defined) and same-aged teenagers without experience of sexual intercourse. A two-cluster questionnaire study among 15-year-old Swedish students (n = 2170) in 2009/10. Chi-squared test was used to identify differences between three groups: teenagers who had not had sexual intercourse; teenagers who had had sexual intercourse at age of 14 or younger; and teenagers who had had intercourse at an age of 15. Thirty-two per cent (n = 334) of girls and 31% (n = 324) of boys had had sexual intercourse. Teenagers with experience of sexual intercourse at 15 years or younger used more tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs than same-aged teenagers without intercourse experience did. Furthermore, teenagers with experience of intercourse, especially those with a debut at 14 year or younger, had less positive school experiences, more involvement in injuries and physical violence, were less (girls) and more (boys) physically active, and perceived a poorer health than teenagers without intercourse experience. Sexual intercourse at the age of 15 or younger is an indicator for a hazardous lifestyle and problematic life situation.

Social–Emotional Learning in Grades 3 to 6 and the Early Onset of Sexual Behavior

The study aimed to explore whether evidence-based elementary social-emotional learning (SEL) curricula [Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS)] focused on social problem-solving skills combined with sexual risk prevention lessons would have an impact on preventing the early onset of sexual intercourse. A 4-year longitudinal, randomized, controlled design was employed in which 24 elementary schools were assigned to receive the already in place SEL curriculum (control) or the enhanced PATHS curriculum (intervention) combined with sexual risk prevention lessons during grades 3–6. Social problem-solving skills were assessed in grade 6 through the use of a social problem-solving dilemma and sexual behavior was assessed in grades 6 and 7. Sexual activity rates were 9.1% and 21.1% in the sixth and seventh grades, respectively. While the direct effects of the intervention on sexual behavior were not significant, the intervention did indirectly have an effect through social problem-solving skills. Those receiving the intervention curriculum were more likely to focus on issues specific to a dilemma designed to assess problem-solving skills and adolescents using this social cognitive skill, in turn, were less likely to have engaged in sexual intercourse by the seventh grade. The results provide evidence of the positive impact of SEL on students’ social problem-solving skills and delay in initiating sexual intercourse.

Lack of HPV 16 and 18 detection in serum of colposcopy clinic patients

Background Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types is necessary for the development of high-grade cervical dysplasia and cervical carcinoma. The presence of HPV DNA in the blood of cervical cancer patients has been reported; however, whether HPV DNA is detectable in the blood of patients with pre-invasive cervical disease is unclear. Objectives The objectives of this study were to determine if HPV 16 and HPV 18 DNA could be detected in the serum of colposcopy clinic patients, and if serum HPV detection was associated with grade of cervical disease and HPV cofactors. Study design Samples were selected from a biorepository collected from non-pregnant, HIV-negative women ages 18–69 attending colposcopy clinics at two urban public hospitals. Cervical disease status was based on review of colposcopy, biopsy and cytology findings. Serum HPV DNA detection was conducted using a novel PCR and mass spectroscopy-based assay. Results Of the 116 adequate serum samples, all (100%) were negative for HPV 16 and HPV 18. Over half (51.7%) of participants had cervical HPV 16 and/or HPV 18 infection. Nearly one-third (31.1%) had high grade, 10.3% had low grade, and 50.9% had no cervical disease. Nearly one-third (28.5%) had ever regularly smoked cigarettes, 70.7% had early onset of sexual intercourse, and 75% had ever used oral contraceptives. Conclusions In this colposcopy clinic population with a range of clinical characteristics and established HPV cofactors, HPV DNA was undetectable in their serum. Our findings suggest that serum HPV DNA detection is not a cervical cancer screening tool.

Media and Children

PHYSICIANS UNDERESTIMATE THE INFLUENCE OF THE media on children and adolescents. On average, children and adolescents spend more than 6 hours a day with media—more time than in formal classroom instruction. In addition, US youth have unprecedented access to media (two-thirds have a television set in their bedrooms, half have a VCR or DVD player, half have a video game console, and almost one-third have Internet access or a computer), making parental monitoring of media use difficult. A recent survey of 365 pediatricians found that only half recommend limiting media use to 1 to 2 hours per day (the recommended American Academy of Pediatrics policy) and half were not interested in learning more about media effects on their patients through media education. But the media have an influence on a variety of health issues, such as sex, drugs, aggressive behavior, obesity, eating disorders, and suicide. It is important for physicians to understand the most harmful aspects of media use and whether young people can be adequately protected against them, and how to maximize prosocial media. The media are not the leading cause of any pediatric health problem in the United States, but they do make a substantial contribution to many health problems, including the following. Violence. Research on media violence and its relationship to real-life aggression is substantial and convincing. Young persons learn their attitudes about violence at a very young age and, once learned, those attitudes are difficult to modify. Conservative estimates are that media violence may be associated with 10% of real-life violence. Office counseling about media violence and guns could reduce violence exposure for an estimated 800 000 children per year. Sex. Several longitudinal studies have linked exposure to sex in the media to earlier onset of sexual intercourse, and 8 studies have documented that giving adolescents access to condoms does not lead to earlier sexual activity. The media represent an important access point for birth control information for youth; however, the major networks continue to balk at airing contraception advertisements at the same time they are airing unprecedented amounts of sexual situations and innuendoes in their prime-time programs. Drugs. Witnessing smoking scenes in movies may be the leading factor associated with smoking initiation among youth. In addition, young persons can be heavily influenced by alcohol and cigarette advertising. More than $20 billion a year is spent in the United States on advertising cigarettes ($13 billion), alcohol ($5 billion), and prescription drugs ($4 billion). Obesity. Media use is implicated in the current epidemic of obesity worldwide, but it is unclear how. Children and adolescents view an estimated 7500 food advertisements per year, most of which are for junk food or fast food. Contributing factors to obesity may include that watching television changes eating habits and media use displaces more active physical pursuits. Eating Disorders. The media are a major contributor to the formation of an adolescent’s body self-image. In Fiji, a naturalistic study of teenaged girls found that the prevalence of eating disorders increased dramatically after the introduction of American TV programs. At the same time, clinicians need to recognize the extraordinary positive power of the media. Antiviolence attitudes, empathy, cooperation, tolerance toward individuals of other races and ethnicities, respect for older people—the media can be powerfully prosocial. Media can also be used constructively in the classroom in ways that are better than traditional textbooks. For instance, middle school students are often assigned to read Romeo and Juliet as their first exposure to Shakespeare. Might it not be more effective, given that Shakespeare wrote his plays to be observed and not to be read, to watch one of the at least 10 different versions available on DVD? Reading Civil War history using a textbook pales in comparison to watching a TV documentary bring history to life. What could be a more entertaining way to teach high school physics than using episodes of Mythbusters? In

Risk factors of cervical neoplasia in a low income sector under control program in a developing country

1545 Background: There are a high number of risk factors (RF) in cervical neoplasias, most of them related with human papilloma virus infection: women with history of multiple sex partners (MSP), with early onset of sexual intercourse (EOSI),and non-previous cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) smear (NPAP).Objective: To determine the presence of RF in the studied population, the frecuency and types of lesions found, and the correlation between non-previous pap smear and underlying pathology. Methods: The population included in the study were 14,021 patients from institutions of public (PU) (n = 7523) and private (PRI) (n = 6499) sectors in the province of Tucumán–the average age being 34 and 43 years old, respectively–studied between 2007 and 2008, in a routine screening for CC with Pap testing. Both sectors include mostly low income people with none or limited health insurance. All testings were performed under methodologic norms of a CC Detection Program. The RF analized were: NPAP, EOSI, and MSP. Cervical lesions were studied with Bethesda System 2001. The statistic applied was the exploratory analysis. Results: NPAP in PU n = 4562 (75.76%), PRI n = 3247 (81.66%). EOSI with mean age being in PU 17 years old (sD 3.55) and PRI 19 (sD 5.33).MSP above 4 partners PU n= 482 (6.55%) PRI n= 161 (2.75%).Frecuency of LSIL in PU n= 30 (0,40%) PRI n = 50 (0.80%).HSIL in PU n = 29 (0.39%) PRI n = 28 (0.45%).Ca INV in PU n = 6 (0.08%) PRI n = 3 (0.05%). ASCUS in PU n = 24 (0.32%) PRI n = 10 (0.16%). Asociation between NPAP and cervical pathology was found p = 0.024 &lt; 0.05 given that 100/142 (70.42%) patients with lesion had NPAP and 42/142 (29.57%) paitents had previous Pap. Conclusions: The results in this sample indicate low Pap coverture is mantained in PU and PRI sectors and the need to approach the population under 20 years old in Tucuman, Argentina, to prevent CC. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Borderline Personality Symptomatology and Sexual Impulsivity

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, borderline personality disorder (BPD) is an Axis II phenomenon that is characterized by impulsivity, including sexual impulsivity. However, little empirical research has been undertaken to confirm and/or define the nature of sexual impulsivity in patients with BPD, which is the focus of the present study. Using a cross-sectional approach and sample of convenience, we surveyed 76 women who were being seen as outpatients in an internal medicine clinic regarding: a) borderline personality symptoms using two measures (i.e., the borderline personality scale of the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4, McLean Screening Inventory for Borderline Personality Disorder); and b) their sexual histories. We found two statistically significant differences--those with borderline personality symptomatology were more likely to have an earlier onset of sexual intercourse as well as to report date rape. Individuals with borderline personality symptomatology report earlier sexual exposure as well as date rape, but not other aspects of sexual impulsivity such a greater number of sexual partners, more frequent treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, etc.

HIV-Associated Orphanhood and Children’s Psychosocial Distress: Theoretical Framework Tested With Data From Zimbabwe

We measured the psychosocial effect of orphanhood in a sub-Saharan African population and evaluated a new framework for understanding the causes and consequences of psychosocial distress among orphans and other vulnerable children. The framework was evaluated using data from 5321 children aged 12 to 17 years who were interviewed in a 2004 national survey in Zimbabwe. We constructed a measure of psychosocial distress using principle components analysis. We used regression analyses to obtain standardized parameter estimates of psychosocial distress and odds ratios of early sexual activity. Orphans had more psychosocial distress than did nonorphans. For both genders, paternal, maternal, and double orphans exhibited more-severe distress than did nonorphaned, nonvulnerable children. Orphanhood remained associated with psychosocial distress after we controlled for differences in more-proximate determinants. Maternal and paternal orphans were significantly more likely than were nonorphaned, nonvulnerable children to have engaged in sexual activity. These differences were reduced after we controlled for psychosocial distress. Orphaned adolescents in Zimbabwe suffer greater psychosocial distress than do nonorphaned, nonvulnerable children, which may lead to increased likelihood of early onset of sexual intercourse and HIV infection. The effect of strategies to provide psychosocial support should be evaluated scientifically.

Peer and teacher effects on the early onset of sexual intercourse.

We examined the links between peer rejection and verbal abuse by a teacher during childhood with the early onset of sexual intercourse and the mediating role of delinquent behavior and low self-esteem in this context. We assessed 312 students (159 girls) in northwestern Quebec annually from kindergarten through seventh grade. Peer identifications were used to assess peer rejection and verbal abuse by teachers from kindergarten through fourth grade. In seventh grade, self-reports were used to assess delinquent behavior, self-esteem, and having sexual intercourse. Multiple sources were used to assess control variables. Multiple imputation-based linear and logistic regressions showed that peer rejection was indirectly associated with a higher risk of early intercourse by its link with lower self-esteem, but only for girls. Verbal abuse by teachers during childhood was directly associated with a higher risk of early sexual intercourse and indirectly by its link with delinquent behavior. The results underline the importance of both peers and teachers in healthy sexual development among youths, especially for girls, and emphasize the need for targeted health and sexual education programs.

Early age of first sexual intercourse and affiliation with deviant peers predict development of SUD: A prospective longitudinal study

Objective A recent study has reported that early sexual behavior predicts the development of substance use disorders (SUD). However, that relationship was considered by its authors to be only tentative, because it was based on cross-sectional data rather than longitudinal data. Another recent study reported that deviant activities of peers predict development of SUD, although that relationship has not yet been confirmed. The objective of this study was to assess whether early onset of sexual intercourse and affiliation with deviant peers serve as predictors of the development of SUD, using a prospective longitudinal study design. Method We conducted a prospective longitudinal study of adolescents. These subjects were recruited at the age of 10–12 years, with follow-up evaluations at ages 14, 16, 19, 22, and 25. The sample included 136 male subjects. Cox regression analyses were performed, with age of first intercourse, neurobehavioral disinhibition, exposure to drugs in the neighborhood, and deviant activities of peers as factors in the analyses. Results Earlier age at first intercourse and deviant activities of peers each predicted a significantly higher risk of subsequently developing a SUD (Wald = 8.3, df = 1, p = 0.004; Wald = 7.5, df = 1, p = 0.006, respectively). Conclusions The results of this study confirm that early onset of sexual intercourse and affiliation with deviant peers predict the early development of substance use disorders, using a prospective longitudinal study design.

Initiation of Sexual Activity

Adolescents are compelled by several influences to take risks. Among these risks is the possible early onset of sexual intercourse. Numerous factors are known to be correlated with early onset of sexual activity, but this information is not used systematically in programs to prevent teenage pregnancy. The physician must provide information about sexual health that is appropriate for adolescents whether or not they are sexually active. Sexual abstinence is an option for avoiding teenage pregnancy, but adolescents must have a clear understanding of what abstinence entails.

Effects of a Parent-Child Communications Intervention on Young Adolescents' Risk for Early Onset of Sexual Intercourse

The quality of parent-child communications about sex and sexuality appears to be a strong determinant of adolescents' sexual behavior. Evaluations of interventions aimed at improving such communications can help identify strategies for preventing early onset of sexual behavior. A school-based abstinence-only curriculum was implemented among 351 middle school students, who were randomly assigned to receive either the classroom instruction alone or the classroom instruction enhanced by five homework assignments designed to be completed by the students and their parents. An experimental design involving pretest and posttest surveys was used to assess the relative efficacy of the curriculum delivered with and without the parent-child homework assignments. In analyses of covariance controlling for baseline scores, immediately after the intervention, adolescents who received the enhanced curriculum reported greater self-efficacy for refusing high-risk behaviors than did those who received the classroom instruction only (mean scores, 16.8 vs. 15.8). They also reported less intention to have sex before finishing high school (0.4 vs. 0.5), and more frequent parent-child communications about prevention (1.6 vs. 1.0) and sexual consequences (1.6 vs. 1.1). In all significant comparisons, the direction of the findings favored adolescents who received the enhanced curriculum. Dose-response relationships supported the findings. Parent-child homework assignments designed to reinforce and support school-based prevention curricula can have an immediate impact on several key determinants of sexual behavior among middle school adolescents.

Adolescent girls' sexual attitudes and opposite-sex relations in 1970 and in 1996.

To describe changes in adolescent girls' sexual attitudes and relationships with boys between 1970 and 1996, particularly girls who had early onset of sexual intercourse. METHOD AND INSTRUMENT: The study includes two cohorts. The first is from the Swedish longitudinal research program, "Individual Development and Adaptation." This cohort included all eighth-grade girls (15-year-olds), 522 girls, in a mid-Swedish community in 1970. In 1996, the same instrument (Adjustment Screening Test) was administered to all eighth-grade girls (15-year-olds), 567 girls, in the same community. These girls make up the second cohort. Girls were thinking and feeling similarly about sexual matters in 1970 and 1996. Furthermore, the same factors correlated with early sexual onset of intercourse in both cohorts, and the correlations were of about the same magnitudes. This suggests that sexuality has quite similar developmental implications in the lives of teenaged girls now as it had 25 years ago. There were, however, differences in the prevalence of opposite-sex relations. Compared with girls in 1970, girls in 1996 had had fewer sexual relationships and had postponed their sexual transition. This study shows that perceptual, bodily, and behavioral maturation are positively related to each other. The girls with early onset of intercourse matured early both in 1970 and in 1996. They felt sexually more experienced than their age-mates, and they also aspired to be older.

Influences on adolescents’ decision to postpone onset of sexual intercourse: a survival analysis of virginity among youths aged 13 to 18 years

Background: Previous research has focused on risk factors associated with early onset of sexual intercourse among adolescents. This study hypothesizes that protective factors identified for other health compromising behaviors are also protective against early onset of sexual intercourse. The study sample included 26,023 students in grades 7–12 (87.5% white, 52.5% male) who did not report a history of sexual abuse in a statewide survey of adolescent health in 1988. Methods: Bivariate analyses were stratified into early (13–14 years), middle (15–16 years) and late (17–18 years) adolescence and by gender. Cox proportional hazards survival analysis, stratified by gender, was used to determine risk and protective factors associated with delayed onset of sexual intercourse. Results: Variables showing a significant bivariate association with lower levels of sexual activity across all age groups and genders were: dual-parent families, higher socioeconomic status (SES), better school performance, greater religiosity, absence of suicidal thoughts, feeling adults or parents cared, and high parental expectations. High levels of body pride were associated with higher levels of sexual activity for all age and gender groups. In the multivariate survival analyses, variables significantly associated with delayed onset of sexual activity for both males and females included: dual-parent families, higher SES, residing in rural areas, higher school performance, concerns about the community, and higher religiosity. High parental expectations were a significant protective factor for males but not for females. Conclusion: While many protective factors are not subject to intervention, the present analyses indicate that teen pregnancy prevention may be enhanced by addressing family and educational factors.

Early Initiation of Sexual Intercourse and its Co-Occurrence with other Health-Risk Behaviors in High School Students: The 1993 North Carolina Youth Risk Behavior Survey

The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between early onset of sexual intercourse (SI) and selected at-risk and preventive behaviors as a function of race and gender in an in-school adolescent population. Data from the 1993 North Carolina Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a statewide sample of public high school students, were analyzed. Of the 2,439 Ss who completed questionnaires, 49.2 percent were male and 50.6 percent female. This study only examined data obtained from 1,595 white Ss and 693 black Ss, representing 65.4 percent and 28.4 percent of all respondents, respectively. Odds ratios were computed for those risk behaviors correlated with early onset of SI, comparing students who reported they never had SI with those who initiated SI: prior to age 13, between 13 and 14 years old, and at age 15 or older. For behaviors identified as consequences of early onset of SI, Ss who reported delaying initiation (age 15 or older) were compared with those who initiated: prior to age 13, and between ages 13 and 14. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to detect statistical significance (p < .01); adjusted odds ratios were computed to determine strength of association. Findings indicated that 50.7 percent of white females, 43.1 percent of white males, 27.4 percent of black females, and 12.8 percent of black males reported never having had SI. Three hundred forty-four students (15.7percent) reported engaging in SI before age 13. Of these, slightly more than four in 10 (40.1 percent) were black males, followed by white males (31.6 percent), black females (19.2 percent), and white females (9.1 percent). Early initiation of SI was related to: carrying weapons to school, fighting, smoking cigarettes before age 13 and early onset of alcohol use across all groups, and suicide ideation, smoking regularly before age 13, and living with an adult other than a parent in all but black males. For sexually experienced Ss, early initiation wasassociatedwith: an increased number of lifetime partners and increased likelihood of being diagnosed with an STD in all groups, and a substantially greater risk of pregnancy in white males and white females. Results of this study are considered within the context of data collected from other states and a national sample. Implications for intervention programs are discussed.