Early Sexual Debut and Condom Non-Use among Adolescents in South Korea

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors related to sexual debut among adolescents and to examine the association between characteristics and condom non-use among those who experienced sexual intercourse in South Korea. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2009 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a nationally representative sample. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was conducted to investigate the factors related to sexual debut, associations of condom non-use, and subjects' characteristics using multiple logistic regression. Results: Among male adolescents, early emission, low school record, living with a step parent, perceived low level of household income, and frequently drinking and smoking were associated with early sexual debut. Attending a coed school, living with a single biological parent and step parent, and risky health behavior such as drinking and smoking were related risks factors of sexual debut among female students. For female early sexual debut, risky health behaviors were associated with condom non-use among adolescents experiencing sexual intercourse. Conclusions: Appropriate interventional programs should be implemented for adolescent in Korea to delay sexual debut and enable them to use adequate use condom.