Time to First Sexual Experience and Its Determinants Among Female Youths: A Survival Analysis of Rwanda Demographic Health Survey (2019-2020).

Abstract

Background: Understanding the timing of first sexual experience is crucial for informing reproductive health policies and interventions. However, little is known about this area of research in Rwanda. This study aims to estimate the determinants of time to first sexual experience among female youths in Rwanda.

Methods: A secondary data analysis of the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS 2019-2020) was conducted. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards regression models were utilized to estimate the median age at first sexual experience and identify significant determinants; a significance level of 0.05 was considered. All analyses were performed using R (Version 4.3.3).

Results: The study found that 2090 (36.9%) of female youths in Rwanda had their first sexual experience before the age of 25, with 7.0% initiating sexual activity before 15. The median age at first sexual experience was 18 years (Interquartile range: 16-19). Determinants associated with a reduced hazard of early first sexual experience included being aged 20-24 years (75%) (AHR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.23-0.29), living in rural areas (15%) (AHR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74-0.99), having tertiary education (38%) (AHR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.42-0.90), being married (AHR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.42-0.56), and listening to the radio at least once a week (13%) (AHR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.76-0.99).

Conclusion: Enhancing educational opportunities, promoting stable partnerships, and increasing access to media information in rural areas may be effective strategies in delaying first sexual experience.