Sexual behaviour and its correlates among adolescents in Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

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.