An analysis of teenage sexual behaviours in small towns of Tanzania: the case of Rufiji district, Ikwiriri and Kibiti areas

The study explored issues associated with factors that contribute to teenage sexuality and problems resulting from teenage sexual activities. The study also explored teenagers’ perceptions on issues regarding safer sex. This was done by applying three different statistical inferences; a Chi-square test, a z- test and principal component analysis. In the first two tests, primary data collected from teenagers in 180 households was utilized. In the last one, primary data and secondary data obtained from the Rufiji Demographic Surveillance System were applied; the analysis was based on assets of the households visited. The findings on teenage sexuality revealed that, 87.2% of teenagers in the sample were sexually active. By employing three hypotheses regarding parental care, educational level of parents and socio-economic status of a household, it revealed that there is no association between teenage sexuality and parental care but teenage sexuality is associated with educational level of parents and the socio-economic status of a household. Teenagers’ indulgence in sexual intercourse is higher for teenagers who are under care of uneducated parents and those who are from families with low incomes. The findings of this study are consistent with the findings of the National AIDS Control Programme (2001). Addressing reproductive health needs for all age groups regardless of opposition by religious leaders and religious beliefs is being recommended. The safer sex education should be taught to all in and out of school youth. It is further recommended that in future, research on structural determinants of sexual behaviour should tend towards the comparative analysis of selected communities; therefore, a multilevel design is clearly called for.