Factors contributing to the Early Sexual Debut among older Adolescents (15-19yrs) in Nyendo -Mukungwe Division Masaka District. A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Early sexual debut is defined as having first sexual intercourse before age of 18 years and is associated with risks to sexual and reproductive health. It can be voluntary or coerced. Methodology: The study design was descriptive and cross-sectional. The study was aimed at obtaining the predictor outcome of the variables at the same time getting relevant data on the effect of religiosity and family financial background, peer pressure, and individual factors contributing to early sexual debut among older adolescents aged (15-19) years at Nyendo Mukungwe Division, Masaka district. Results: The majority of the respondents 95% had peer friends. This implies that most older adolescents have peer groups. This may be because of their peers on sex-related issues. This finding indicated that peer pressure was a great factor that led to increasing rates of early sexual debut among older adolescents (15-19) in Nyendo Mukungwe division, Masaka district probably because they got supportive news about how good is playing sex like feeling as If in heaven leaving its risks e.g. sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion: The majority of the respondents did not attend church or mosque regularly most of whom were not virgins making those who did not attend church or mosque regularly more involved in sex than their counterparts due to the missing of the teachings condemning playing sex like no sex before marriage, don’t commit adultery Recommendation. This goes to all medical persons, parents, teachers, religious leaders, political leaders, elders in communities, the government through education and health ministries, and anyone responsible in Nyendo Mukungwe division Masaka district to develop strategies aimed at reducing early sexual debut among adolescents which predisposes them to risks associated with playing sex e.g. sexually transmitted infections like HIV/AIDS, UTIs.