Sexual risk behaviour and its correlates among adolescents in Mozambique: results from a national school survey in 2015

The study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of sexual risk behaviours among adolescents in Mozambique. In the cross-sectional 'Global School-Based Health Survey (GSHS)', 1918 students aged 11-18 years from Mozambique responded to a questionnaire in 2015. More than half (57.4%) of the students ever had sex, 68.4% among boys and 45.8% among girls. Among students who ever had sex, 41.5% had early sexual debut (<14 years), 57.9% had multiple sexual partners, 25.0% had not used a condom and 42.0% had not used birth control at last sex, and 59.4% engaged in multiple sexual risk behaviour. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, alcohol use, school truancy, older age and male sex were associated with multiple sexual risk behaviours. A large number of adolescents in Mozambique reported sexual risk behaviours, emphasising the need for interventions.

Automated summary

The study revealed a significant proportion of adolescents in Mozambique engaging in risky sexual behaviors such as early sexual debut, having multiple sexual partners, and not using protection. Factors like alcohol use, school truancy, older age, and being male were associated with multiple sexual risk behaviors. Interventions are needed to address this issue.