Safe Sex at First Sex? A Study of Adolescent Boys in the Urban Slums of Recife

Fatima Juarez, El Colegio de México
Thomas LeGrand, University of Montreal

Despite the overall success of Brazil's efforts to limit the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STIs, prevalence rates remain fairly high. Young teenagers, especially those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods, are especially hard to reach and influence in terms of their sexual behaviors. This study examines the trends and determinants of age at first sexual intercourse and condom use, based on baseline data collected for an experimental outreach program targeting adolescent boys (N=1,438 single boys aged 13-19). Beyond the usual socioeconomic and demographic factors, the effects of variables pertaining to the boy's families (relationships with parents...), the characteristics of their first partners, and their assessment of their own personalities are studied. Findings indicate that age at sexual debut, belonging broken families, relationships with parents, parental control and self-esteem are important determinants of these variables.