Early Sexual Initiation among Malaysian Adolescents in Welfare Institutions: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: In recent years, more adolescents have been engaging in early sexual intercourse in Malaysia. This has become a public health concern due to its implications regarding sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancy. The objective of this study was to better understand the factors that influence early sexual initiation among adolescents and the circumstances in which this occurs. Methods: Criterion samples of adolescents aged 13–19 who admitted to consensual sexual intercourse before age 18 were recruited from four welfare institutions in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and essay writing. This study was guided by a grounded thematic theory methodology. Results: Adolescents identified proximal factors such as curiosity, stress relief, partner acquiescence and peer pressure to be directly associated with their early sexual initiation. Other factors, such as poor religiosity, domestic violence, poor interest in school and loitering with friends, were factors in some way related to early sexual initiation. Conclusion: The explorative approach used in this current study found that adolescents' experiences of early sexual initiation were strongly bound to factors within their social world.