Social cultural dynamics on early sexual debut among secondary school adolescents in Kigamboni District, Tanzania

Background: Globally, early sexual debut is the behaviour that puts adolescents at risk of getting HIV, teen pregnancies, unsafe abortion, cervical cancer and other sexual transmitted infections. Evidence from a review of studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa reveals the mean age of sexual initiation is 16 years, indicating some initiate sex prior to reaching 16 years of age. Early sexual debut is defined as having had first sexual intercourse at or before the age of 14years.Despite all continued investments in adolescent’s sexual and reproductive health, many social and cultural challenges are still existing to meet the reproductive health needs of adolescents. While it is important to understand individual aspects for adoption of sexual behavior, it is important also to explore social cultural aspects which predispose adolescents to early sexual practices. This study was conducted to assess social and cultural aspects which predispose adolescents to early sexual debut among adolescents in Kigamboni District Dar es Salaam. Methods: A cross-sectional study using mixed methods was conducted in Kigamboni district - Dar es Salaam. A multistage random sampling procedure was used. Structured questionnaire with closed and open ended questions was used to collect data from secondary school students. In depth interview were conducted to collect data from few selected students in selected schools. Quantitative data was processed using Statistical package (SPSS) Where frequencies were run for continues variable while categorical data was presented using contingency tables. Chi-square test was used to test for association between independent variable (age at first sexual intercourse) and dependent variables which includes, sex, year of study, live with, parents marital status and parents/guardian occupation. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data by identifying common themes and patterns and describing the findings. Results: A total of 228 adolescents from secondary schools in Kigamboni District were interviewed, among them 74(32.9%) had practiced sexual intercourse. The study found that male adolescents debut early than girls. About (28.4%) of the respondents had sexual intercourse before the age of 14, among those with early sexual debut (81.0%) were males and (19%) were females. Those with early sex, a total of 21 participants, 14 (38.9%) live with their biological parents, 3 (17.6%) live with single parents father or mother and 4 (20.0%) live with guardians. Findings shows that there was no association between living with parents, single parent or guardian and early sexual debut among adolescents (χ2=3.576, p=0.167). Social-cultural factors, home and school environments contribute to early sexual debut as the study found that there is limited parental control and guidance on young people’s sexual endeavours. Lack of guidance leaves students dependent on peer groups for sexual socialisation which often exposes youth to the risk of early sexual initiation. Accessibility of media such as TV, Magazine and the use of internet through mobile phones adolescents offer an avenue to join different social networks such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and others. They misuse these media and watch programs with sexual and pornographic themes which influence them to engage in sexual practices. In schools means of transport such as bodaboda, school infrastructures like toilet buildings for boys and girls are constructed in the same location. Another concern is that most of the schools in Kigamboni area are located near to the beach, all these challenges predispose adolescents to temptations for early sexual practices. Conclusion and Recommendations: The results of the study show that adolescents are aware of the risks and effects of early sexual practices, yet they face social, cultural and environmental barriers which predispose them to early sexual practices. In this case the study concludes and recommends that there is a need for the existing programs on behavior change and behavior change communication to involve adolescents themselves, health workers, parents, teachers and all other stakeholders in planning, designing of the programs and provision of sexual health education in schools and to the whole community