Sexual behaviours, self-reported health outcomes, and associated determinants among adolescents: a cross-sectional survey in Tanzania

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of sexual behaviour among adolescents aged 10–19 years in mainland Tanzania. It employed a pragmatic research paradigm using an analytical cross-sectional survey design with bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine the association between variables, at a 95% confidence interval and a 5% statistical significance level. Participants had an average age of 15 ± 1.869 years. Approximately, 49.5% of respondents reported engaging in sexual activity, which included masturbation (19.4%), exposure to online sexual content (25.9%), and vaginal sex (27.2%). Pregnancy (13.1%), fungal infections (14.4%), painful urination (20.9%), and genital pain (35.3%) were among the health problems. Self-employment (AOR = 2.547; p < 0.05) and formal employment (AOR = 3.109; p < 0.05) were significantly associated with increased adolescent sexual activity. These findings suggest the need for context-specific interventions addressing individual, socio-cultural, familial, and religious influences on adolescents’ sexual behaviours.