Abstract:
The literature suggests that globally adolescents initiate sex before age 15. In Ghana, young
females initiate sex relatively earlier than males. Studies indicate that the age at which one
experiences first sex in itself is not the problem, but rather the challenges resulting from the
numerous health and social implications associated with it. One outcome in the literature for
early sexual activity is a high number of sexual partners which is associated with a risk of
contracting HIV/AIDS, STIs and encountering unintended pregnancies. This study examined
the relationship between age at first sex and the number of lifetime sexual partners of men
and women in Ghana (ages 15-49) using the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey
men’s and women’s datasets. The study also factored in psychosocial and behavioural factors
and assessed their influence on number of lifetime sexual partners. The sample consisted of
7,720 females and 2,993 males.
Three levels of analysis were conducted, namely univariate, bivariate and multivariate
analyses. At the bivariate analysis stage, a statistically significant association was found
between sex, type of place of residence, respondent’s age, education, religion, ethnicity,
marital status and the dependent variable, lifetime sexual partners. Multivariate analyses
showed the main independent variable (age at first sex) and other variables such as age,
educational level, working status, ethnicity, marital status, STI experience and HIV attitudes
were significantly associated with lifetime sexual partners. Some factors differed for males
and females.
The findings reveal that early onset of sex increases one’s number of lifetime sexual partners,
and conversely, a delay in first sex reduces a person’s number of lifetime sexual partners. The
study recommends the prioritization of policies targeted at delaying sexual debut to reduce
adolescents’ exposure to multiple sexual partnerships
