Factors associated with sexual debut in adolescents of both sexes from medium-low socioeconomic level of Metropolitan Region Factores asociados al inicio sexual en adolescentes de ambos sexos de nivel socioeconómico medio-bajo de la Región Metropolitana

Background: Little evidence is available from Chile concerning adolescent people's sexual debut. Objective: To examine which variables previously identified were associated to the sexual activity in adolescent populations in precarious economic settings of Metropolitan Region. Method: Data from a population of adolescents attending at CEMERA were used to compare those who had sexual debut and those who had not. Analysis used data collected at the adolescent's first visit of 5,854 adolescents, both sexes, aged 12-19. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with sexual debut. Results: 92.6% were females and 7.4% males. 84.2% adolescents had sexual debut and 15.8% did not. Variables associated with sexual debut were: gender (male); age (older); education (higher): low academic aspirations (finishing high school only); low academic performance; repeating an academic year; no religious affiliation; no attendance at religious services; having a job; having an older partn