title: Sexual initiation among adolescents (10 to 14 years old) and health behaviors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence of sexual initiation until the age of 14 years old, as well as sociodemographic and behavioral factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2008, 4,325 from the 5,249 adolescents of the 1993 birth cohort in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, were interviewed. Sexual initiation was defined as the first intercourse up to the age of 14 years old. The information was obtained by interviewing adolescents in their houses, during the 2008 follow-up. The analyzed variables were: skin color, asset index, maternal and adolescents' schooling, experimental use of tobacco and alcohol, drunkenness episode, use of any illicit drug, illegal drug use by friends and involvement in fights during the past year. Use of condoms and contraceptive methods, number of partners and the age of sexual initiation were also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of sexual initiation by the age of 14 was of 18.6%. Lower schooling, asset index and maternal education were related to higher prevalence of sexual initiation until the age of 14, as well as being male or being born to adolescent mothers. Sexual intercourse was also related to the behavioral variables analyzed. Among adolescent girls who had intercourse up to the age of 14, 30% did not use contraception and 18% did not use condoms in the last sexual intercourse. Boys reported a higher number of sexual partners than girls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest a relationship between sexual intercourse (≤ 14 years) and some health-risk behaviors. The non-use of condoms and contraceptives may make them vulnerable to experiencing unwanted situations. Education and sociocultural strategies for health should be implemented from the beginning of adolescence.
authors: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Gonçalves
authors: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors: Eduardo Coelho
authors: EC
authors: Machado
authors: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors: Ana Luiza Gonçalves
authors: AL
authors: Soares
authors: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors: Fabio Alberto
authors: FA
authors: Camargo-Figuera
authors: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors: Lenise Menezes
authors: LM
authors: Seering
authors: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors: Marília Arndt
authors: MA
authors: Mesenburg
authors: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors: Marília Cruz
authors: MC
authors: Guttier
authors: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors: Raquel Siqueira
authors: RS
authors: Barcelos
authors: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors: Romina
authors: R
authors: Buffarini
authors: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors: Maria Cecília Formoso
authors: MC
authors: Assunção
authors: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors: Pedro Curi
authors: PC
authors: Hallal
authors: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors: Ana Maria Baptista
authors: AM
authors: Menezes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D050498:Live Birth; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
references: Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2010 Oct;28(4):267-74
references: 21152714
references: J Adolesc Health. 2010 Oct;47(4):389-98
references: 20864009
references: Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2007 Dec;41 Spec No:782-6
references: 20608377
references: Rev Saude Publica. 2008 Dec;42 Suppl 2:34-41
references: 19142343
references: Sex Transm Dis. 2004 Jun;31(6):366-72
references: 15167648
references: Cad Saude Publica. 2003;19 Suppl 2:S377-88
references: 15029357
references: Cad Saude Publica. 2011 Nov;27(11):2207-14
references: 22124498
references: Fam Plann Perspect. 2001 Nov-Dec;33(6):268-75
references: 11804436
references: Sex Health. 2011 Sep;8(3):431-5
references: 21851787
references: Rev Saude Publica. 2006 Feb;40(1):39-46
references: 16410981
references: Rev Saude Publica. 2008 Jun;42 Suppl 1:45-53
references: 18660924
references: Cad Saude Publica. 2006 Jul;22(7):1459-69
references: 16791345
references: Rev Saude Publica. 2008 Jun;42 Suppl 1:21-33
references: 18660922
references: Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2000 Sep;5(3):177-82
references: 11131782
references: J Adolesc Health. 2000 Aug;27(2):136-47
references: 10899475
references: BMJ Open. 2012 Feb 08;2:e000661
references: 22318665
references: Soc Sci Res. 2010 Nov 1;39(6):875-893
references: 21079724
references: Int Fam Plan Perspect. 2006 Sep;32(3):126-35
references: 17015242
references: Appetite. 2010 Feb;54(1):62-70
references: 19766154
references: Braz J Psychiatry. 2010 Dec;32(4):361-8
references: 21308256
references: Adolescence. 2009 Summer;44(174):479-98
references: 19764280