Objectives: Young people’s sexual debut can be a complex issue and becomes problematic when it occurs under the influence of peer pressure or substance use, in an unplanned way, or without sexual consent. Factors influencing young people’s sexual debut may vary between countries. Therefore, understanding the different context of young people’s sexual debut is essential for improving and maintaining young people’s sexual and reproductive health.
This study compared the reasons and factors influencing young people’s sexual debut in Sweden and Thailand.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was used to investigate and compare young people’s sexual debut and relevant factors influencing it in Sweden and Thailand. Data was derived from the Swedish Life and Health – Young survey (n=4,652) and the Thai Life and Health – Young survey (n= 2,717) for students in grades 9 and 11/ year 2.
Results: The prevalence of sexual debut was 46% in Sweden and 14% in Thailand (p<.001) and the mean age was 14.7 years for both countries. More girls than boys in Sweden (p<.05) and fewer girls than boys in Thailand (p<.001) had debuted sexually. Young people’s sexual debuts were considered unplanned or forced (Sweden, 29%; Thailand, 60%) and were strongly associated with binge drinking and older age.
Conclusion: Young people’s lack of sexual consent is concerning for their health and well-being. The importance of sexual consent should be communicated in schools to young people of both genders in schools, health professionals, and policy makers. Both genders must communicate and take sexual consent into consideration.