Abstract:
Introduction: Rwanda, like many other countries, is trying to cope with the problem of sexual behavior especially in young population on the same scale as drug abuse or alcohol. In Rwanda, especially in Collège Saint André, no study has been conducted to explore the magnitude of early sexuality among advanced (A) level students.
This study aimed to establish the level of sexual activity among A level students and to identify the factors associated with sexual activity
Methods: This study was descriptive and analytic, cross-sectional, targeting A level students at Collège Saint André (Senior4 – Senior 6). Data were collected by means of questionnaires from 263 students randomly selected. Results: 41.1% of respondents have ever had at least one sex intercourse. Also 47% of male students have had sexual activity compaired to 30% of female. The logistic regression analysis showed that the factors associated with sexual activity are the following: religion of students (catholic and Protestants), class performance and education of parents.
56.9 % of those who had sex intercourse were pushed by the curiosity, desire to know, and the discovery purposes followed by 13.8% of those who motivated to have sexual intercourse by gift. 47.7% of all students involved in sexual activities reported that they have used contracteptive method, mainly condom, for avoiding unwanted pregnancies.
Conclusion: students have engaged in sexual activities within their adolecence at a relative high rate. There is a need to promote specific intervention programmes built upon the identified factors which are associated with an increased likelihood for early sexual introduction and risky sexual behaviour.
