The effects of early first sexual intercourse amongst Lesotho women: evidence from the 2009 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey

Age at first sexual intercourse may be a predictor of future sexual behaviour and an important indicator for exposure to HIV transmission. The purpose of the study is to establish risk factors associated with age at first intercourse among Lesotho women aged 15 to 49 years. The data used came from the 2009 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey and probit models were applied for analysis. It was found that women who have had their first sexual intercourse at age 16 or below were at risk of being married at age 18 or below (p < 0.001), are likely not to make it to secondary school (p < 0.001) and having the highest chance of not have known about the AIDS disease as compared to women who have had their sexual intercourse after the age of 16 years (p < 0.05). Delaying entry into sexuality could be safer and more secure to protect the sexual and reproductive health in young women. The more time women spend at school the less likely that they can engage in sexual intercourse at a young age (Afr. J Reprod Health 2016; 20[2]: 34-42).Keywords: Sexual intercourse, sexual debut, risk factor, HIV, AID