Sexual Behaviours among Adolescents in Community Secondary Schools in Rural Areas of Central Tanzania:
Abstract
Abstract: This study was carried out in the study area between July to August, 2010 with the aim of
determining sexual behaviours among adolescents enrolled to community secondary schools. Quantitative data
for the study were collected through interviews with 202 students using a pre-tested semi- structured
questionnaire. Furthermore, eight (8) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with students and in-depth interview
with some key informants were also carried out to collect qualitative information. Findings from the study
revealed that despite majority of adolescents were aware of some issues related to Sexual and Reproductive
Health (SRH), however, levels of sexual activity and risky sexual behaviours among them were unacceptably
high. Sixty three percent of sampled adolescents had ever experienced sex, with age at first sex by half of them
(51.2%) being 15 years and below. Furthermore, of the respondents who had ever experienced sexual
intercourse, 22% had multiple sexual partners, 21% had ever had sex with casual partner, and 36% didn’t use
condom in their last sexual encounter. Main factors for prevalence of sexual activity among adolescents in the
study population included failure by adolescents to control their sexual emotions, peer pressure,
financial/material gain, cultural practices, and living arrangement. Based on these findings, recommendations
to improve the situation have been indicated
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