ERIC Number: EJ1418577
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 43
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0272-4316
EISSN: EISSN-1552-5449
Available Date: N/A
Socio-Ecological Associations of the Development of Sexual Behavior in Young Adolescent Girls in the Rural Southern Region of Malawi
Sadandaula Rose Muheriwa Matemba; Rosina Cianelli; Joseph P. De Santis; Natalia Villegas Rodriguez; Chrissie C. P. N. Kaponda; James M. McMahon; Natalie M. LeBlanc
Journal of Early Adolescence, v44 n5 p624-666 2024
Adolescent girls are more likely to experience early sexual debut than boys. However, the developmental context of their sexual behaviors is under-investigated. Using the socio-ecological model and Malawi Schooling and Adolescent Survey, we investigated factors crucial in determining the development of sexual behaviors of 416, 14-year-old girls in rural southern Malawi. We applied Bivariate Logistic Regression analysis to determine associations. Results showed that 353 (84.9%) experienced sexual intercourse, 60 (18.4%) had multiple sexual partners, and 32 (9.1%) used condoms or hormonal contraceptives. Participants' educational background, desire for higher education, reproductive health knowledge, and being monitored by teachers in school were positively associated with healthy sexual behaviors. Having a boyfriend, lack of schooling support, and being invited to teachers' homes were positively associated with risky sexual behaviors. Therefore, promoting adolescents' formal education, sexual health literacy, and safety in schools should be essential components of research and biobehavioral interventions targeting young adolescents in Malawi.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Sex Education, Females, Adolescents, Sexuality, Safety, Rural Areas, Social Networks, Barriers, Educational Background
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Malawi
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A