Association Between Early Sexual Debut and New HIV Infections Among Adolescents and Young Adults in 11 African Countries.

ABSTRACT: We investigated the association between early sexual debut and HIV infection among adolescents and young adults. Analyzing data from nationally representative Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA) surveys in 11 African countries, the research employed a multivariate logistic regression model to assess the relationship between the early sexual debut and new HIV infections in the age group of 10-24 years. The results revealed a significant and robust association, indicating that young individuals who experienced early sexual debut were approximately 2.65 times more likely to contract HIV than those who did not, even after accounting for other variables. These findings align with prior research suggesting that early initiation of sexual activity may increase vulnerability to HIV infec

SUBMITTER: He J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11199287 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature