Risky Sexual Debut and its Implications on Pregnancy and Abortion among Adolescents in Cluj-Napoca
Risky Sexual Debut and its Implications on Pregnancy and Abortion among Adolescents in Cluj-Napoca

Summary/Abstract: Background: Numerous factors have an impact on adolescents’ sexual behaviour, especially on their sexual debut. Family, religion and school performance are factors that play an important role in an adolescent’s sexual life.Methods: This research had a quantitative methodological design. There were 1148 respondents, aged 15-21, studying in 9 theoretical high schools and in professional and technical schools in Cluj-Napoca who completed an extended questionnaire. Only 44 items were selected for this study, including sociodemographic data, parents’ education, teenage risky behaviours, teenage pregnancy and abortion. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The respondents’ mean age at sexual debut was 15.33 years old. Boys were more likely to experience a risky sexual debut and registered a lower level of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues than girls. It was found that students in professional and technical schools were more likely to experience a pregnancy during adolescence and reported a higher self-perceived level of information about SRH issues than students in theoretical high schools. Respondents for whom religion had a higher importance started their sexual life later. Surprisingly, students of mothers with at most secondary education were more knowledgeable than those of mothers with higher education.Conclusions: Programmes for SRH should be designed based on research in order to be responsive to students’ needs and challenges. Such a strategy increases the chances of promoting a healthy sexual life among adolescents and youth.

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