First Sexual Intercourse and Subsequent Regret in Three Developing Countries

Abstract

Purpose: Adolescents who engage in sex can be affected by a range of negative physical and psychological consequences. We intend to analyze the reasons behind first sex, regret, and the association between reasons and regret. Methods:A questionnaire was implemented to 8495 high schools students, aged 14-18, in the Philippines, El Salvador and Peru. Sexually active participants responded whether several circumstances were reasons involved in their first sexual relationship. They also responded whether they regretted having already had sexual relationships.Results: More than a third of respondents reported at least one external pressure leading to first sex, and about half reported at least one reason implying getting carried away by sexual arousal.More females affirmed they regret having already had sex. Logistic regression shows that reasons for first sex associated with regret were partner insistence, "uncontrolled situations" and seeing sexual images. These reasons were associated with regret even when love was also reported as related to first sex. Conclusions:Adolescent sexual experience is often motivated by pressure and circumstances that lower the control over their decisions concerning sex, such as external pressure (because most friends already had sex or because of partner insistence) or getting carried away by sexual arousal (through an "uncontrolled situation" or viewing sexual images) rather than by mature decisions, and this may result in later regret. Adolescents should be helped by parents, educators and policy makers to be aware of these characteristics of adolescent sex and empowered to make assertive and informed decisions concerning their sexuality.

Safe-sex belief and sexual risk behaviours among adolescents from three developing countries: a cross-sectional study

“…The study was implemented in the Philippines, El Salvador and Peru, using standardised data-collection protocols. 18 20 …”

Trajetórias Relacionais e Reprodutivas Conducentes à Gravidez na Adolescência: a Realidade Nacional e Regional Portuguesa

“…Alguns autores referem que este pode dever-se ao desejo que esses parceiros têm, ou que as adolescentes lhes atribuem, de serem pais naquele momento das suas vidas e ao elevado poder que assumem nas relações de namoro. 55,56 Por seu lado, as trajetórias associadas à ausência de contraceção estiveram particularmente envolvidas na ocorrência de gravidez no Centro e na Madeira. Tal facto espelha a necessidade de não desinvestir das políticas de saúde que visam a promoção da utilização de contraceção, sendo, no entanto, necessário avaliar as razões pelas quais os resultados alcançados nestas regiões não são totalmente satisfatórios.…”

Postponing sexual debut among university youth: how do men and women differ in their perceptions, values and non-penetrative sexual practices?

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