Influence of parent-adolescent relationship on early sexual debut and number of partners among Mexican youth

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether parents-adolescents relationships were associated with early sexual debut and having multiple partners, risk factors for sexually transmitted infections, in a low socioeconomic suburb in Mexico City. Methods: Nine hundred thirty six participants, aged 20-30, responded to an anonymous questionnaire about sexual activity and relationships with parents during adolescence. Logistic regression was conducted. Results: The majority of participants reported being sexually active (78.3%). Among them, 70% of males and 55% of females had first sex before age 18. Good communication with parents during adolescence was inversely associated with sexual debut <18 (OR=0.40; CI95% 0.30-0.53) and with having >2 sexual partners (OR=0.47; IC95% 0.33-0.68). Sexual debut <18 was positively associated with having had multiple partners (OR=6.69; IC95% 4.64-9.65). Conclusion: Good parental communication during adolescence may help prevent adolescents from choosing early sexual debut and having multiple partners and, consequently, from acquiring HIV and other STIs. Efforts are necessary to support parents in their relationship with their adolescent children.