Age at sexual debut and associated factors among high school female learners in Limbe urban area of Cameroon

Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang

HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Network, Cameroon (HIVPREC) P. O. Box 36, Commonwealth Avenue, Kumba, Cameroon

E-mail: ebeyang1@yahoo.com; Phone: +237 77 63 20 64

Accepted 29 July, 2013

Abstract

Age at sexual debut is an important determinant of HIV transmission. However few studies have reported on the age of sexual debut among young women in Cameroon. This study aimed at investigating the age at sexual debut and associated factors among high school female learners in Limbe urban area of Cameroon. A cross-sectional design was adopted, using self-administered questionnaires to collect data from a representative sample of 210 high school female learners, selected from three high schools. Statistics were calculated using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 software program at the 0.05 significant level. Among the sexually active respondents, 60.2% had sexual debut at age 16 years or less, with the mean age at sexual debut being 15.5 years. Multiple sexual partners in the past one year were more common among those whohad early sexual debut than those who had late sexual debut (X²=72.935; p=0.001); multiple concurrent sexual partners during the study period were more common among those who had early sexual debut than those who had late sexual debut (X²=138.136; p=0.000);Condom use during first sex was more common among those who had late sexual debut than those who had early sexual debut (X²=44.038; p=0.015); Condom use during last was more common among those who had late sexual debut than those who had early sexual debut (X²=42.535; p=0.022).Programmes to delay sexual debut should be designed and implemented.

Keywords: Sexual debut, HIV, High school female learners, Limbe, Cameroon.