Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Sexual activities are increasingly changing from the cultural point
of view what they used to be. Knowledge of these practices among adolescents may
be a basis to create awareness among adolescents on practices that involve risks.
This study aims to assess sexual practices among unmarried adolescents in
Tanzania.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among in-school and out-of-school
but unmarried adolescents aged 10 to 19 in five locations in Tanzania. A
questionnaire was used to collect information and to characterize sexual
practices among these adolescents.
RESULTS: About 32% of adolescents reported being sexually active; a higher
proportion being males than females. The only inquired and reported sexual
practices include vaginal sex, masturbation, oral and anal sex. About 15% of
sexually active adolescents reported having multiple sexual partners.
Significantly more males reported having multiple partners than females. Nearly
42% of sexually active adolescents reported having used a condom during most
recent sexual act. Females reported older partners at first sexual act.
CONCLUSION: Adolescents experience several sexual practices that include
penetrative and non-penetrative. More males reported being sexually active than
females. Despite adolescents reporting having multiple sexual partners, reported
condom use during the most recent sexual act was low. We advocate for a more
enhanced approach of reproductive health education that includes safer sex to
adolescents without forgetting those in-schools.
