Factors Influencing Adolescents’ Sexually Risky Behaviors in Botswana

Abstract

Adolescents’ sexual behaviours are a public health challenge as it exposes them to health risks. Psychosocial pathways may lead to accumulation of risks that may disrupt normal developmental trajectories and sexual and reproductive health among adolescents. Some factors linked to sexual and reproductive health risks occur because of cultural and traditional practices. This paper explores factors influencing adolescents’ sexual behaviours using the Modified Social-Ecological Model. The Modified Social-Ecological model examines the dynamic, integrative, multilevel, and multidimensional influences in the person-environment transactions. Interventions should focus on all the level as these impacts on the life course to address adolescents’ sexual behaviours. Policies at the macro level can have positive outcomes on other levels by ensuring the availability and accessibility of relevant services to help strengthen families.