Prevalence and Determinants of Early Sexual Debut among Teenage Students: A Study in Kiryandongo District, Uganda

Early sexual debut among teenagers is a global concern, particularly prevalent in developing countries. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with early sexual debut among teenage students at Kibanda Secondary School in Kiryandongo district, Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 150 respondents. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using IBM SPSS 27.0. The prevalence of early sexual debut was found to be 20.0%, with predictors including age, sex, caregiver's education level and income, parental history of substance abuse, personal substance abuse, and first sexual partner. Female respondents were 2.17 times more likely to have an early sexual debut compared to males, and teenagers with a personal history of substance abuse were 4.03 times more likely to initiate sex early. Low caregiver education and income were also associated with early sexual debut. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and education programs to mitigate the risks associated with early sexual initiation among teenagers.