The Factors associated with the onset of sexual activity in adolescents: Analytic cross-sectional ; Factores asociados al inicio de actividad sexual en adolescentes: Estudio transversal analítico ; Fatores associados ao início da atividade sexual em adolescentes: Estudo analítico transversal

Highlights Sexual activity onset during adolescence was common in the study population, with a higher prevalence in men than in women. The use of psychoactive substances poses a greater risk in terms of the onset of sexual activity, as well as for family and criminal problems. Educational and health institutions can re-direct actions if they recognize the risk factors related to the onset of sexual activity and can identify individual and collective awareness strategies. Public health interventions in educational institutions regarding comprehensive sexual education are needed to prevent the problems of sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancy. Introduction: Different physical, social, affective, and sexual changes take place during adolescence, such as the sexual debut. Objective: To explore the factors associated with the onset of sexual activity in adolescents attending school (12–16 years) in Bucaramanga. Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study included 440 adolescents from a public school. An instrument developed by Latin American Center for Perinatology - History of Adolescents was applied, and descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted using a binomial regression model adjusted by age and sex, with sexual activity onset as the outcome and possible associated factors as exposures. Results: The prevalence of the onset of sexual activity was 22.27% (95% CI: 18.56–26.46). Factors associated with greater prevalence of sexual activity onset were having a criminal record and partner PR=3.24, (95%CI: 2.60–4.05) and PR=2.00, (95%CI: 1.42–2.82), respectively. Male gender PR=1.19, (95% CI: 0.84–1.67), using tobacco PR=1.23 (95% CI: 0.73–2.06), alcohol consumption PR=1.23, (95% CI: 0.73–2.06), and other psychoactive substance use PR=1.78, (95% CI: 0.99–3.19) were risk factors; meanwhile, socializing with friends was a protective factor PR=0.27, (95% CI: 0.20–0.36). Discussion: Follow-up by parents and school support decrease the risk of adolescent sexual activity onset. ...