Objectives: To describe sexual behavior and condom use among students in Rwanda and illustrate the need for targeted reproductive health programs.
Data and Methods: Data stem from a reproductive health survey conducted in October-November 2000 among a representative sample of 3,013 students aged 15-24 at secondary schools and universities. We focus on gender differentials in sexual behavior and condom use, but also examine differentials by age, socio-economic status, and education.
Results: Only 44% of males and 16% of females aged 15-24 were sexually experienced (c2=295.7;p=.000). Life table analyses show a median age at first intercourse of over 24.0 for females and 20.3 for males. Only 12% of males and 5% of females reported having one or more regular or casual partners in the past year (c2=50.7;p=.000). Among sexually experienced youth, 46% of females and 36% of males report abstaining in the past year (c2=6.4;p=.012).
Condom use in last sex was 46% for males and 71% for females (c2=12.4;p=.000) with a regular partner, and 71% for last sex with casual partners (n=38). Of all those sexually experienced, only 30% of males and 42% of females had ever used condoms (c2=10.9;p=.001).
Conclusions: Levels of sexual activity among Rwandan students are exceptionally low. Among this population of relatively highly educated youth, condom use with casual partners is high. Use with regular partners is high for females, but fairly low for males. These findings illustrate the need for youth-targeted reproductive health programs that address the specific situations of Rwandan students.
Keywords: Sexual Risk Behavior, Condom Use
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.