Mean Age Of Sexual Debut Research Articles

Adolescents Dealing with Sexuality Issues: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greece

Study objective To evaluate the prevalence of sexual activity and contraception methods used by Greek adolescents. To assess the effect of various factors in the decision making on sexual activity. Design A cross-sectional study design was applied. Setting-Participants The population (N = 1538) consisted of a random sample, stratified according to locality and population density, of 20 public junior high and high schools located in the urban district of Athens, Greece. Interventions Anonymous self-completed questionnaires were used to assess sexual practices, contraception methods, and factors affecting sexual activity choices. Measures Spearman association calculations and chi-square were used, while regression analysis models were also applied. Main Outcome We examined the sexual practices among Greek adolescents, and indicated the psychosocial factors that may influence adolescents' sexual behavior. Results 16% of the adolescents have had sexual intercourse, while the boy/girl ratio was 3/1 ( P < 0.05). Mean age of sexual debut was 14 ± 1.5 years. An additional 20% have had any other sexual experience at a mean age 13.5 ± 1.5 years. Although sexually active adolescents generally use condoms (90.6%), only 32% use them properly (at every and throughout sexual contact). At least half of them do not have adequate protection (no method used or unreliable methods applied), while 8.2% of the girls have used emergency contraception. Adolescents with unstable home environment (divorce, recent death, not living with mother) or sexually experienced peers, as well as those that seek sexual education from siblings or friends have higher possibilities of being sexually active. Conclusion Greek adolescents can be sexually active at a young age and they need sexual education on safe sex practices.

A Cross-sectional Study of Sexual Practices, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Human Immunodeficiency Virus among Male-to-Female Transgender People

Problem statement: Designing HIV interventions requires evidence on links between behaviors and elevated transmission risk that remains scanty for male-to-female Transgender (TG) people in India. Approach: In 2007, we carried out a cross-sectional study through convenience sampling of 131 TG aged > 18years, residing in Chennai at least prior to six months of the study. Sexual practices and perception towards STIs and HIV were identified through structured interviews. HIV and STIs were diagnosed from blood and urine samples. Associations among sexual practices, HIV/STI and alcohol use were analyzed using contingency tables. Results: The study participants had a mean age of sexual debut of 12.86 years. From the sample, 91% reported involvement with casual, paid and/or long-term sex partners at the time of the study and reported having anal sex in similar proportions across all three types of partners. More individuals failed to use condoms with long-term partners (44%) than with casual (17%) or paid (9%) partners. Alcohol use was more strongly associated with multiple casual and paid partners than with exclusive long-term partners (p<0.05). About 29% reported sex under the influence of alcohol. 72% were diagnosed with least one STI, with viral STIs ranging from 8-48 and 18% diagnosed with HIV. HIV-positive individuals could not be statistically distinguished from HIV-negative individuals on the basis of anal and oral sex, presence/absence of STI, inconsistent condom use or sex under the influence of alcohol. Conclusion/Recommendations: Given the extensive literature on associations between inconsistent condom use, unprotected anal sex, alcohol and HIV risk, the lack of difference between HIV-positive and negative individuals with respect to behaviors suggests that the entire sample represents a group needing primary or secondary prevention intervention. Partner reduction, consistent condom usage and sex under the influence of alcohol are areas for further research and program interventions among TG in Chennai, India.

Reproductive and Sexual Outcomes After Anorectal Malformation Repair in Childhood

PURPOSE Anorectal malformations (ARM) are a spectrum of anomalies. Sexual function and fertility may be impaired. This study looks at long-term outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a cohort study of 75 adult patients with ARM. Participants completed questionnaires on urinary, bowel and sexual function. Medical records were retrieved for data on original diagnosis and associated anomalies. RESULTS The age range was 18-60 years with a median of 25 years. 18 associated genital anomalies were recorded in 14 women (31%), the commonest being double vagina (6/14) and bicornuate uterus (5/14). In 10 of the 24 (41.67%) males where paediatric medical records were available had 11 documented genital anomalies, the commonest being cryptorchidism (6/24). The mean age of sexual debut for the group was 17.65 years (range 14 – 65 years). Of the 75, 10 were not sexually active (13.3%). In the case of 2 females this was due to vaginal stenosis, both required surgery. 61% of male patients were very or mainly satisfied with their sex lives. Women scored significantly lower than men in terms of sexual esteem and satisfaction. Five males reported poor erections, and 5 reported difficulty in ejaculating. There were 16 pregnancies from 7 females, 10 resulted in live births. Four deliveries were vaginal and 6 Caesarean section. The male participants reported 11 pregnancies in partners resulting in 10 live births. CONCLUSIONS Anorectal malformations have adverse implications for fertility and sexual function. In young adults it is important that issues regarding sexual function and fulfilment are addressed openly.

From the advent of HPV vaccination to modern old science

From the advent of HPV vaccination to modern old science

The influence of peers and other significant persons on sexuality and condom-use among young adults in northern Tanzania

Sexual behaviour change remains a primary goal of HIV prevention efforts globally. It is a complex issue influenced by numerous unpredictable variables such as individual desires, social and cultural relationships, and environmental and economic dynamics. This study in northern Tanzania was conducted in June and July 2004 as part of a baseline survey carried out in 10 districts in eight regions of the country, Using a list of 65 villages in the northern zone, we randomly selected participants from four villages: one village each from three Area Development Programmes within World Vision Tanzania and one village from a high HIV transmission area (HTA). Five hundred and twenty-six respondents aged 15–24 years were selected from in-school and out-of-school groups. Of the total, 41.5% were sexually active. The age of sexual debut ranged from age 5–20 years for boys, and age 7–24 for girls. The mean age of sexual debut was 16 years old for males and 17 years old for females. The factors most strongly associated with sexual experience were: age greater than 16 years (p < 0.001); male gender (62.5% vs. 37.5%; OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.58–3.56; p < 0.001); living with both parents (47% vs. 27%; OR = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.84–0.94; p < 0.001); being out-of-school (75.8% vs. 24.2%; OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.73–0.94; p < 0.005); and, not using condoms during first sexual intercourse (OR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.07–1.97; p < 0.02). Low self-efficacy in sexual relationships also predicted being sexually experienced (p < 0.001). High self-efficacy in intention to use condoms did not influence condom-use among sexually experienced youths (p < 0.001; OR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.43–2.02). The perceived high influence of parents towards youths' intention to use condoms was a predictor of sexual experience (OR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.05–1.45; p < 0.01). As a generalisation, the sexually experienced youths in the study population had experienced sex at a relatively early age and often had not used a condom at first sexual intercourse.

Health risk factors among detained adolescent females

To identify the prevalence of health risk factors among a sample of detained adolescent females and determine whether there are racial/ethnic differences. A cross-sectional survey of 197 adolescent females (aged 14 to 18 years) recruited within eight detention facilities. Thirty-five measures, comprising four domains, were assessed. Domains were sex-related risk factors, violence-related risk factors, selected mental health issues, and substance abuse behaviors. Measures were collected using audio-computer-assisted self-interviewing. A biological assessment for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis was also conducted. Several health risk factors were especially prominent. Mean age of sexual debut was 13 years. The mean number of sex partners (lifetime) was 8.8. Twenty percent tested positive for an STD, and 32.2% had ever been pregnant. Of those reporting sexual activity, 33.9% had not used any form of contraception in the past 2 months and about 40% reported having recent sex with a casual partner. More than 40% reported that a friend had been beaten, attacked, or hurt by others in the past year. More than one half had witnessed violence (past year) and nearly 30% had ever belonged to a gang. Forty percent had thought about committing suicide in the past 2 months, with 35% informing someone of their intent, and 25% attempting suicide. Recent use of illegal substances was common. Correlations between the four domains were significant (p < 0.03), but weak. With some notable exceptions (STD prevalence, trading sex for money, witnessing violence), no difference was found between minority and nonminority adolescents with respect to risk factors. After creating an index of all the risk factors, a normal distribution was obtained (mean number of factors, 10.3; standard deviation, 5.0). Preventive medicine programs for adolescent females within detention facilities are warranted. Our evidence suggests that health risk behaviors in this population may be quite diverse; therefore, these programs should be broad in scope and that depth of the programs should vary as a function of risk level.

Adolescent Pregnancy Rates in Three European Countries: Lessons to Be Learned?

Adolescent pregnancy and abortion rates in the Netherlands, France, and Germany are lower than rates in the United States and the mean age of sexual debut is later. Contributing factors include philosophical differences about the rights and responsibilities of adolescents, access to contraceptives, sexuality education, and mass media campaigns. The data used in this article were gathered from meetings with health care providers in the three European countries studied and from published reports. While it is not possible to impose practices from one society upon another, nurses in North America may want to consider implementing some of these ideas in their practices.