Early Sexual Debut and the Effects on Well-Being among South African Adolescent Girls and Young Women Aged 15 to 24 Years

Abstract

We compared first sex experiences and wellbeing of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) who had an early sexual debut (age < 15) with those who had later sexual debut. We conducted a representative household survey among AGYW aged 15-24 years in six districts in South Africa. Of 3009 AGYW who had ever had sex, 8.9% reported early sexual debut. Early sexual debut was associated with coercion at first sex and a lower average well-being score compared with a later debut. Interventions which aim to delay early sexual debut may positively affect well-being.