Sexual behaviour and its correlates among adolescents in Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

©2018 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston 2018. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of having had sexual intercourse among adolescents in Brunei Darussalam. The sample included 2599 school-going adolescents that responded to the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) [mean age 14.7 years, standard deviation (SD) = 1.4]. Sexual behaviour with a range of other health behaviours and protective factors were assessed based on a self-report. The relationship between socio-demographic, substance use, psychosocial, protective factors and ever had sexual intercourse were assessed using logistic regression analyses. Results indicate that 11.3% ever had sexual intercourse and 2.1% had two or more sexual partners in their lifetime. Among the sexually active students, 50% had early sexual debut (<14 years), 38.3% had used a condom at last sex, and 31.8% had used other birth control at last sex. In adjusted analysis, older age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.58, confidence interval (CI) = 1.04, 2.42], current tobacco use (OR = 1.67, CI = 1.10, 2.52), current alcohol consumption (OR = 2.26, CI = 1.26, 4.93), history of attempted suicide (OR = 1.96, CI = 1.20, 3.19) and bullying victimisation (OR = 1.43, CI = 1.00, 2.05) were associated with ever having had sexual intercourse. Significant sexual risk behaviour was found and several risk factors identified for incorporation in comprehensive sex education.