Coercive first sex among adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa: prevalence and context

Ann M. Moore, The Alan Guttmacher Institute
Kofi Awusabo, University of Cape Coast
Johannes John-Langba, African Population and Health Research Center
Akwasi Kumi-Kyereme, University of Cape Coast
Nyovani Madise, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)

Among young people in Sub-Saharan Africa, coercion is an all too common element of sexual debut experiences whether within or outside a formal union. Using a unique set of data collected in 2003-2004 in Ghana, Uganda and Malawi with 12-19 year olds via focus groups, in-depth interviews and nationally-representative surveys, we comparatively examine experiences of sexual coercion as well as the risk and protective factors that frame adolescents’ vulnerability to unwanted sexual intercourse. Data from the surveys show that among 12-19 year old females, the percent who said they were “not willing at all” to have sexual intercourse at sexual debut was 23.4 percent in Uganda, 29.9 percent in Ghana and 38.1 percent in Malawi. Among 12-19 year old males, the percent who gave that same response was 3.9 percent in Uganda, 7.6 percent in Malawi and 12.3 percent in Ghana.