Background: Adolescents are one of the groups that are vulnerable to early and risky sexual behavior. Previous studies have shown that gender plays a role in shaping differences in sexual and reproductive health behavior so that it has the potential to affect an individual's ability to make decisions regarding safe sexual behavior. This study aims to determine gender differences in sex and condom use in adolescents and their relationship on the Human Development Index and the Gender Equality Index. Methods: This study is a multi-country study using data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey involving 267,545 global participants to identify adolescent sexual behavior and condom use. We calculated the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals for males versus females’ sexual experience and condom use. The regression analyses were examined to look at whether gender differences in sexual experience and condom use are related to gender inequality and human development indices. Results: The findings revealed significant gender differences in adolescent sexual behavior and condom use. Boys are more likely than girls to have had sex and use condoms at last sex. The effect of gender differences in sex and condom use on the Human Development Index was not found in this study. However, there is a significant effect between gender differences in condom use on the Gender Inequality Index. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate the importance of sexuality education and the provision of reproductive health services for adolescents in order to minimize the consequences of risky sexual behavior, especially for women. Focusing on the health condition of adolescents by considering a gender perspective can have an impact on reducing the gap in health conditions based on gender in adulthood.
Date:
2022-08
Relation:
Journal of the International AIDS Society. 2022 Aug;25(S3):Abstract number e25935.
