Age of first sexual intercourse may impact teens' risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/304398.php
A new study shows that earlier initiation of sexual intercourse increases the odds of experiencing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Also, if the age at the time of first sexual intercourse is during or near to an adolescent's sexual maturation period, the likelihood of experiencing STIs increases.
The findings, which are published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, suggest that it is important to consider the time period of first sexual intercourse when considering STI risk. The results will also be a useful reference for further studies of adolescents' health and behavior.
Studies
Keywords:
Sexually Transmitted Infection;Sexual Health;Timing;Adolescent
Abstract
Introduction
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are major causes of medical and psychological problems globally, while adolescents in South Korea have recently shown rapid changes in sexual behaviors.
Aims
We aimed to examine the association between the age of first sexual intercourse and the experience of STIs among adolescents. Additionally, in which specific time period would more likely to get infected from sexual intercourse.
Methods
We used data from the 2007–2013 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. Only adolescents with sexual intercourse experience (N = 22,381) were included, and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed.
Main Outcome Measures
One dichotomized measure and one continuous measure were assessed: (i) STIs experience (defined as having had STIs); and (ii) association between STIs experience and absolute age gap (defined as temporal differences between secondary sexual character emergence age and first sexual intercourse age).
Results
Approximately 7.4% of boys and 7.5% of girls reported had STI. For both boys and girls, the chance of experiencing STIs increased as the age of first sexual intercourse decreased (boys: before elementary school [age 7 or under]: odds ratio [OR] = 10.81, first grade [age 7 or 8]: OR = 4.44, second grade [age 8 or 9]: OR = 8.90, fourth grade [age 10 or 11]: OR = 7.20, ninth grade [age 15 or 16]: OR = 2.31; girls: before elementary school: OR = 18.09, first grade: OR = 7.26, second grade: OR = 7.12, fourth grade: OR = 8.93, ninth grade: OR = 2.74). The association between the absolute age gap and STI experience was examined additionally (boys: OR = 0.93, girls: OR = 0.87).
Conclusions
This study shows that earlier initiation of sexual intercourse increases the odds of experiencing STIs. Also as the age gap gets shorter, the odds of experiencing STIs increase. Our study suggests that it is important to consider the time period of first sexual intercourse and to reinforce a monitoring system along with the development of other preventive strategies. Lee SY, Lee HJ, Kim TK, Lee SG, and Park EC. Sexually transmitted infections and first sexual intercourse age in adolescents: the nationwide retrospective cross-sectional study. J Sex Med 2015;12:2313–2323.