Early Sexual Debut among Ghanaian Women: Correlates and Psychological Effect

Abstract

Early sexual initiation is linked to an increased risk of HIV/AIDS and other STIs among teenagers, as well as having multiple partners, not using contraception, unintended pregnancy, and illegal abortions. Aim. To identify the correlates and psychological effects of early sexual debut among not-in-union women in Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used for this study using data from Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) for the year 2017/2018. SPSS software was used for data analysis, bivariate analysis for association was done using chi-square, and the prediction was done using a binary logistic regression model. The national prevalence of nonmarital early sexual initiation this current study recorded was 56.9%. Predictors variables were age, 15-24/≥35 years ( AOR = 1.51 , 1.28-1.78), ever educated ( AOR = 0.50 , 0.43-0.60), urban address ( AOR = 0.85 , 0.74-0.98), married/single ( AOR = 1.23 , 1.07-1.42), cohabitation/single ( AOR = 1.43 , 1.19-1.72), Greater Accra Region/Upper West Region ( AOR = 0.67 , 0.49-0.92), and health insurance ( AOR = 0.89 , 0.79-0.998). As the wealth indices of the woman decrease from the richest to poorest, the likelihood of early sexual debut inversely increases: fourth/richest ( AOR = 1.23 , 1.04-1.45), middle/richest ( AOR = 1.31 , 1.09-1.58), second/richest ( AOR = 1.38 , 1.11-1.72), and poorest/richest ( AOR = 1.44 , 1.12-1.86); use of the internet ( AOR = 0.58 , 0.50-068); substance use and alcohol ever use ( AOR = 1.32 , 1.17-1.49); cigarette ever use ( AOR = 2.58 , 1.44-4.64); contraceptive use ( AOR = 1.31 , 1.16-1.49); and ever heard of HIV ( AOR = 59 , 0.42-0.82). In conclusion, the prevalence of early sexual debut is still high in Ghana, especially among the northern regions. Several factors predicted early sex debut, and low life satisfaction and happiness were related to early sexual debut.

Prevalence and associated factors of early sexual initiation among female youth in East Africa: further analysis of recent demographic and health survey

“…The odds of early sexual initiation were less likely among female aged 20-24 years than among female aged 15-19 years, which consistent with study in Africa [12,[36][37][38]. This could be due to cultural behaviors such as early marriage and abduction, which were popular at the time.…”

“…Youth who started their first cohabitation at the ages of less than 15 years and 15-19 years were more likely to have early sexual initiation than those who started cohabitation at the ages of 20-24 years, respectively this finding was supported by study in Ghana [38].This study found that youth females who used contraception had a higher risk of early sexual debut than their counterparts, which is consistent with other studies in Africa [2]. This could be because young people who take contraception are less likely to become pregnant and have more confidence to begin sexual activity at a young age.…”

Contraceptive use among Students of a Health Training institution in the North-east Region of Ghana

“…Most participants engaged in sexual activities during their adolescent period, and it was high among persons within the age groups of 16-20 years. Other recent studies in the northern region of Ghana reported sexual activities among 16 years and above [25][26][27][28][29][30]. Important in this study is the finding of early use of contraceptives among our study participants, re-emphasising a need to target teenagers in family planning services in Ghana.…”

Prevalence and associated factors of early sexual initiation among youth female in sub-Saharan Africa: a multilevel analysis of recent demographic and health surveys

“…It is a cross-sectional study conducted every five-year to generate updated health and health-related information. The information was gathered in partnership with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and Measure DHS in each country [ 4 ]. The research was based on the most recent standard Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of 33 sub-Saharan African countries conducted from 2011–2021.…”

“…Early sexual initiation is defined as an experience of first intercourse before 15 years of age [ 1 , 2 ]. Early sexual activity, particularly in developing nations, has been reported to cause social and public health issues [ 3 , 4 ]. Early sexual practice at a young age is a global public health issue that is particularly prevalent in low-and middle-income countries such as sub-Saharan African countries [ 5 ].…”