A greater understanding of the circumstances of first sexual intercourse, as opposed to an exclusive focus on age at the occurrence, is required in order that sexual health and well-being can be promoted from the onset of sexual activity.
The researchers used data from the Natsal-3 conducted in Britain. Participants were categorized as ‘sexually competent’ at first heterosexual intercourse if the following self-reported criteria applied to the event: contraceptive use, the autonomy of decision, both partners ‘equally willing’, and occurrence at the perceived ‘right time’. The researchers examined the prevalence of ‘sexual competence’, and its component parts, by age at first intercourse among 17–24-year-olds. Using multivariable logistic regression, we explored associations between sexual competence and potential explanatory factors.
Lack of sexual competence was independently associated with having the first intercourse before the age of 16 years, area-level deprivation, lower educational level, black ethnicity, reporting ‘friends’ as the main source of learning about sex, non-’steady’ relationship at first sex, and uncertainty of first partner’s virginity status.
The study concluded through its findings that a substantial proportion of young people in Britain transition into sexual activity under circumstances incompatible with positive sexual health. Social inequalities in sexual health are reflected in the context of first intercourse.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/45/2/127
