Journal article
Early age at first sex: Associations with sexual health and sociodemographic factors among a sample of young music festival attendees in Melbourne
AM Vella, PA Agius, AL Bowring, ME Hellard, MSC Lim
Sexual Health | CSIRO PUBLISHING | Published : 2014
DOI: 10.1071/SH14058
Abstract
Background Age at first sex (AFS) is associated with adverse outcomes. We explore associated factors and correlates of 'early' AFS (<16 years). Methods: In 2009-11, participants (16-29 years) were recruited. Multivariate Cox regression explored correlates of AFS. Logistic regression analysis explored associations between early AFS and risk behaviours. Results: Of 3563 participants, 79% were sexually active. Median AFS was 17 years. Compared with those aged 25-29 years, younger participants reported younger AFS [16-17 years: adjusted hazard ratio (AHR)=1.87, P<0.01; 18-19 years: AHR=1.47, P<0.01, 20-24 years: AHR=1.19, P<0.01]. Of those sexually active, 29% reported early AFS. Early AFS was a..
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Funding Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge and thank the research team, the recruiters and the participants who were involved in the data collection. This project has been greatly assisted by donations of materials from the Victorian AIDS Council, Marie Stopes International, Beyond Blue, Hepatitis C Victoria, Family Planning Victoria, Cadbury Schweppes, The Department of Health and Ageing, Third Drawer Down, Step Back Think and the staff at the Melbourne Big Day Out. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the financial contribution to this work by the Victorian Department of Health, the Victorian Law Enforcement Drug Fund and the Victorian Operational Infrastructure Support Program received by the Burnet Institute. ML is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) Sidney Sax Early Career Fellowship and MH is supported by an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship.