Why Too Soon? Early Initiation of Sexual Intercourse Among Adolescent Females in Ethiopia: Evidence from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey
Ebisa Turi,1 Bedasa Taye Merga,2 Ginenus Fekadu,3 Amanuel Alemu Abajobir4 1Department of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia; 2School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haromaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 3Clinical Pharmacy Unit...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2020-04-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Women's Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/why-too-soon-early-initiation-of-sexual-intercourse-among-adolescent-f-peer-reviewed-article-IJWH |
| _version_ | 1819028127573082112 |
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| author | Turi E Merga BT Fekadu G Abajobir AA |
| author_facet | Turi E Merga BT Fekadu G Abajobir AA |
| author_sort | Turi E |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ebisa Turi,1 Bedasa Taye Merga,2 Ginenus Fekadu,3 Amanuel Alemu Abajobir4 1Department of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia; 2School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haromaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 3Clinical Pharmacy Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia; 4Maternal and Child Wellbeing Unit, African Population and Health Research Centre, Nairobi, KenyaCorrespondence: Ginenus FekaduClinical Pharmacy Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Oromia, EthiopiaTel +251 917137145Fax +251 57 6617980Email take828pharm@gmail.comBackground: Early sexual initiation – sexual activity that begun earlier than 18 years of age – is among risky sexual behaviors which may be associated with increased risks of adverse outcomes such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortions. However, there is no nationally representative evidence on early initiation of sexual intercourse and its determinant factors among adolescent females in Ethiopia.Methods: Data were extracted from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) to assess early initiation of sexual intercourse and factors contributing to it in adolescent females. The analysis included a weighted sample of 3881 adolescent females aged 15– 19 years. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted and the results were presented as adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at 95% confidence interval (CI), declaring statistical significance at a p-value < 0.05 in all analyses.Results: About 1 in 5 (21.9%, 95% CI: 20.5%, 23.33%) adolescent females experienced early sexual debut. Administrative regions (Amhara, AOR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.30, 4.09 and Gambella, AOR = 4.89, CI 95%: 1.08, 22.07), religion (Muslim, AOR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.49), substance use (e.g., ever chewed khat, AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.47, 2.77, ever drunk alcohol, AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.35, 2.48) and having no knowledge on family planning (AOR = 4.47, 95% CI: 2.22, 8.99) were found to have statistically significant association with early sexual debut in adolescent females. Whereas any levels of formal education decreased the odds of early sexual debut (primary, AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.56; secondary, AOR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.28, and higher, AOR= 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.63). Similarly, all categories of wealth indices as compared to the poorest were protective of early sexual initiation in adolescent females (AOR = 0.40– 0.57) as was for education as compared to no education (AOR = 0.19– 0.44).Conclusion: A significant proportion of adolescent females initiate early sexual intercourse in Ethiopia and multifaceted factors appear to determine their early sexual experiences. Contextualized interventions including strengthening information, education and communication on adverse consequences of early sexual initiation in regions and improving contraceptive knowledge of teenagers will play a paramount role.Keywords: early initiation of sexual intercourse, female adolescents, EDHS, Ethiopia |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T05:53:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fe78f812104c4cdfa8bbe3d0a8da63f7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1179-1411 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T05:53:26Z |
| publishDate | 2020-04-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-fe78f812104c4cdfa8bbe3d0a8da63f72022-12-21T19:13:54ZengDove Medical PressInternational Journal of Women's Health1179-14112020-04-01Volume 1226927552982Why Too Soon? Early Initiation of Sexual Intercourse Among Adolescent Females in Ethiopia: Evidence from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health SurveyTuri EMerga BTFekadu GAbajobir AAEbisa Turi,1 Bedasa Taye Merga,2 Ginenus Fekadu,3 Amanuel Alemu Abajobir4 1Department of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia; 2School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haromaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 3Clinical Pharmacy Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia; 4Maternal and Child Wellbeing Unit, African Population and Health Research Centre, Nairobi, KenyaCorrespondence: Ginenus FekaduClinical Pharmacy Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Oromia, EthiopiaTel +251 917137145Fax +251 57 6617980Email take828pharm@gmail.comBackground: Early sexual initiation – sexual activity that begun earlier than 18 years of age – is among risky sexual behaviors which may be associated with increased risks of adverse outcomes such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortions. However, there is no nationally representative evidence on early initiation of sexual intercourse and its determinant factors among adolescent females in Ethiopia.Methods: Data were extracted from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) to assess early initiation of sexual intercourse and factors contributing to it in adolescent females. The analysis included a weighted sample of 3881 adolescent females aged 15– 19 years. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted and the results were presented as adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at 95% confidence interval (CI), declaring statistical significance at a p-value < 0.05 in all analyses.Results: About 1 in 5 (21.9%, 95% CI: 20.5%, 23.33%) adolescent females experienced early sexual debut. Administrative regions (Amhara, AOR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.30, 4.09 and Gambella, AOR = 4.89, CI 95%: 1.08, 22.07), religion (Muslim, AOR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.49), substance use (e.g., ever chewed khat, AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.47, 2.77, ever drunk alcohol, AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.35, 2.48) and having no knowledge on family planning (AOR = 4.47, 95% CI: 2.22, 8.99) were found to have statistically significant association with early sexual debut in adolescent females. Whereas any levels of formal education decreased the odds of early sexual debut (primary, AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.56; secondary, AOR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.28, and higher, AOR= 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.63). Similarly, all categories of wealth indices as compared to the poorest were protective of early sexual initiation in adolescent females (AOR = 0.40– 0.57) as was for education as compared to no education (AOR = 0.19– 0.44).Conclusion: A significant proportion of adolescent females initiate early sexual intercourse in Ethiopia and multifaceted factors appear to determine their early sexual experiences. Contextualized interventions including strengthening information, education and communication on adverse consequences of early sexual initiation in regions and improving contraceptive knowledge of teenagers will play a paramount role.Keywords: early initiation of sexual intercourse, female adolescents, EDHS, Ethiopiahttps://www.dovepress.com/why-too-soon-early-initiation-of-sexual-intercourse-among-adolescent-f-peer-reviewed-article-IJWHearly initiation of sexual intercoursefemale adolescentsedhsethiopia |
| spellingShingle | Turi E Merga BT Fekadu G Abajobir AA Why Too Soon? Early Initiation of Sexual Intercourse Among Adolescent Females in Ethiopia: Evidence from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey International Journal of Women's Health early initiation of sexual intercourse female adolescents edhs ethiopia |
| title | Why Too Soon? Early Initiation of Sexual Intercourse Among Adolescent Females in Ethiopia: Evidence from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey |
| title_full | Why Too Soon? Early Initiation of Sexual Intercourse Among Adolescent Females in Ethiopia: Evidence from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey |
| title_fullStr | Why Too Soon? Early Initiation of Sexual Intercourse Among Adolescent Females in Ethiopia: Evidence from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Why Too Soon? Early Initiation of Sexual Intercourse Among Adolescent Females in Ethiopia: Evidence from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey |
| title_short | Why Too Soon? Early Initiation of Sexual Intercourse Among Adolescent Females in Ethiopia: Evidence from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey |
| title_sort | why too soon early initiation of sexual intercourse among adolescent females in ethiopia evidence from 2016 ethiopian demographic and health survey |
| topic | early initiation of sexual intercourse female adolescents edhs ethiopia |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/why-too-soon-early-initiation-of-sexual-intercourse-among-adolescent-f-peer-reviewed-article-IJWH |
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