Responses to a survey question asking whether they have ever had sexual intercourse

Data Source(s):

Population-based surveys

Purpose:

This indicator determines the extent to which adoles­cents in a program‘s intended population are sexually initiated. The indicator is useful both for designing adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) programs and for evaluating the effectiveness of existing programs aimed at postponing age at sexual debut. Because of large differences in age of the part­ners, evaluators should tabulate the indicator by single years or by age groups to guarantee accurate interpreta­tion of the indicator.

Issue(s):

Evaluators may have problems arise in measuring this indicator in settings where sexual activity outside of marriage is stigmatized, because adolescents who have initiated sex may be reluctant to admit having done so. Given the sporadic nature of sexual activity among ado­lescents, especially younger adolescents, in many set­tings, the indicator may not reflect the number/percent of adolescents who have been sexually active in the re­cent past (e.g., the last 3 or 6 months).

Gender Implications:

Boys generally initiate sex earlier than girls, because many cultures tolerate or encourage sexual activity among adolescent males. In some places, a young man‘s masculinity is questioned if he has not had sexual intercourse by a certain age (McCauley and Salter, 1995).  Re­sponses to the question of having ever had sex may thus be misreported because of cultural norms that may encourage boys to boast about early sexual experimentation, while having the opposite effect on girls, who may underreport sexual activity because of the great value placed on vir­ginity.  Furthermore, since it is not uncommon for the first sexual experience among girls to be involuntary, adolescent girls – particularly young adolescents – may be reluctant to report having already had sexual intercourse because of the shame and pain associated with that experience.