Dóra Várnai,Ágnes Balogh, Anna Aszmann, National Institute of Child Health

1. Factors influencing early sexual behaviour IAAH Conference on Adolescent Sexual HealthDebrecen, Hungary Dóra Várnai,Ágnes Balogh, Anna Aszmann, National Institute of Child Health

2. Maturation • Hormonal changes influence: • timing of menarche/spermarche • physical characteristics • well-being, emotional balance • Early maturation is considered to be an important factor in risk behaviours (like smoking, drinking, drugs etc.) and in risky sexual behaviour Individual differences

3. Adolescent sexual behaviour • Sexual activity is not only influenced by biological maturity but by individual and external factors as well • Knowledge (Sexual education, contraception methods etc.) • Attitude towards sexuality • Mass media • Family background • Psychological and social cultural factors • Sexual activity is not a risk itself, only if initiated too early in adolescence or if it is unprotected or not consensual

4. Correlates of early and risky sexual behaviour in adolescence • Early maturation • Perceived knowledge– lower odds for too early, higher odds for risky sexual behaviour(Rock et al, 2003) • Self reported depression(Kaltiala-Heino et al, 2004) • Lower quality of parent-adolescent relationship(McCullough et al, 2000) • Self-esteem – ambigouos results(McGee&Williams, 2002) • Substance abuse(Rashad, 2004, Yen, 2004) • Living with other than both parents (Langille et al, 2004)

5. Protective factors • Non-Parental Adult Role Models • Peer Role Models • Future Aspiration (Vesely et al, 2004) • Religiosity (McCullough et al, 2000) • Community Involvement • Family Communication • Good Health Practices (Exercise/Nutrition), • Previous Contraceptive Education (Wang, 2004) • Good self-control constructs – Planfulness (Gibbons & Gerrard, 1995), (Rutter et al., 1997)

6. Data set HEALTH BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN a WHO collaborative cross-national study • 35 countries in the 2001/2002 survey • 11-15-yr-old students • nationally representative data in the most countries • self-reported questionnaire • anonymous data collection • Topics: family background, smoking, drinking, drug consumption, physical activity, nutrition, mental health, school climate, peer relations, family climate, injuries, sexual behaviour etc. • Aims of the study • to understand young people’s health behaviour and lifestyles in their social context • to inform and influence health educators and policy makers

7. Age of the first sexual intercourse Asked among 15 – 16 year-olds Asked among 17 year-olds or older

8. Multiple logistic regression – initial model • PREDICTOR • Depression • Self-esteem • Time out with friends • Bullying behaviour • SES • Parental control • Overprotection • Parental love • Family communication • Type of school • Age Reference group: Laters (first intercourse after 14) DEPENDENT VARIABLE First intercourse before 14

9. Final model: Significant predictors(controlled for age)

10. Summary Early sexual behaviour is more likely if (keep all other significant predictors under control): • depression scores are higher for boys • spent more evenings out with friends • going to technical school • lower parental control category • higher self-esteem…?

11. Conclusion • Technical school students should be especially targeted for sexual education • Parents should be encouraged in their ongoing control behaviour throughout adolescence • Higher self-esteem isn’t a clear protective factor in risk behaviour

12. Thank you! VARNAI@OGYEI.HU National Institute of Child Health