Definition
Early sexual debut, often defined as first sexual intercourse at age 13 or younger, is associated with multiple negative health outcomes, including subsequent sexual risk taking, unintentional pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections (STI). Evidence-based behavioral interventions (EBI) aimed at delaying first sex can be delivered to youth as well as parents and are part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy, especially when implemented by communities where the prevalence of HIV is high and many young teens are sexually active.
Why Delay Early Sexual Debut?
According to data from the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 6% of teens in the USA report they first had sexual intercourse before they were 13 years of age; by 9th grade, 38% of males and 28% of females say they have had sex (Centers for Disease Control 2012). Compared to peers who delay initiation until they are older, young adolescent females are less likely to use condoms or other contraception not only the...
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Smith, E. (2018). Delayed Sexual Debut. In: Hope, T.J., Richman, D.D., Stevenson, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of AIDS. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7101-5_100
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