Abstract

Early sexual debut among teenagers is a global concern, particularly prevalent in developing countries. This study
aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with early sexual debut among teenage students at
Kibanda Secondary School in Kiryandongo district, Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 150
respondents. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using IBM SPSS 27.0. The
prevalence of early sexual debut was found to be 20.0%, with predictors including age, sex, caregiver's education
level and income, parental history of substance abuse, personal substance abuse, and first sexual partner. Female
respondents were 2.17 times more likely to have an early sexual debut compared to males, and teenagers with a
personal history of substance abuse were 4.03 times more likely to initiate sex early. Low caregiver education and
income were also associated with early sexual debut. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions
and education programs to mitigate the risks associated with early sexual initiation among teenagers.
Keywords: Early sexual debut, Sexual intercourse, Teenage, Students