Sexual risk-taking behavior: The role of religiosity among poor Brazilian youth

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of religiosity and religious affiliation on sexual risk among young people living in poor social conditions in Brazil. In addition, we investigate if religiosity plays a protective role in young people's sexual life, with specific regard to delay of first intercourse, condom use, and contraception. This is a cross-sectional study with 7572 participants, 14-24 years old, from seven states of Brazil, who answered a self-administered questionnaire with 109 questions in the school environment. We found an association between religiosity and lower odds of sexual debut. The group that have had already initiated sexual intercourse was not different on the sexual risk behavior. Young people of low socioeconomic status in Brazil have the sexual behavior slightly influenced by religious norms.