TABLE 3—
Sexual Behavior and Sexuality of Caribbean Adolescents
| Gender (%) | Age Group (%) | |||||
| Female | Male | ≤12y | 13–15y | 16–18y | Total(%) | |
| Ever had sexual intercoursea–f | 22.2 | 51.9 | 22.0 | 34.6 | 51.6 | 34.1 |
| First intercourse was forced (yes or somewhat)b–e,g | 47.6 | 31.9 | 42.8 | 37.9 | 36.5 | 38.3 |
| Age of first intercourse, yearsb–g | ||||||
| < 10 | 23.5 | 54.8 | 71.9 | 44.2 | 25.7 | 42.8 |
| 11–12 | 16.4 | 23.2 | 28.1 | 23.4 | 13.0 | 20.6 |
| 13–15 | 44.7 | 19.3 | 32.4 | 39.7 | 28.9 | |
| ≥ 16 | 15.3 | 2.7 | 21.6 | 7.6 | ||
| Total number of sex partnersb,d–h | ||||||
| 1 | 54.0 | 20.9 | 35.2 | 31.1 | 35.3 | 33.2 |
| 2 | 18.8 | 14.8 | 20.2 | 14.9 | 16.0 | 16.3 |
| 3 | 10.5 | 15.4 | 15.2 | 14.5 | 11.6 | 13.8 |
| 4 | 3.6 | 9.5 | 5.4 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 7.2 |
| 5 | 3.3 | 7.0 | 5.9 | 5.7 | 5.5 | 5.7 |
| ≥ 6 | 9.9 | 32.5 | 18.1 | 26.2 | 23.9 | 23.9 |
| Sexual Attractiona–f,i | ||||||
| Only same sex | 4.5 | 5.5 | 6.8 | 4.6 | 2.7 | 4.9 |
| Equal both sexes | 5.0 | 4.3 | 6.0 | 4.8 | 2.6 | 4.8 |
| Only opposite | 44.7 | 56.8 | 27.0 | 53.5 | 76.0 | 49.4 |
| Not sure | 13.3 | 11.7 | 20.4 | 10.2 | 6.5 | 12.7 |
| Don’t understand question | 32.5 | 21.7 | 39.7 | 26.9 | 12.2 | 28.2 |
| Always use birth controlb–g | 30.0 | 24.0 | 17.8 | 24.8 | 34.2 | 26.3 |
| Used condom during most recent intercourseb–g | 59.8 | 49.6 | 26.4 | 51.8 | 70.8 | 53.3 |
| Have been or gotten someone pregnanta–d,f | 7.0 | 11.6 | 7.5 | 11.7 | 7.6 | 9.6 |
| Worry about getting/making pregnant (somewhat or a lot)a–f | 28.7 | 32.8 | 21.3 | 32.3 | 42.1 | 30.3 |
| If contraception were needed, where would you go:a–f,j | ||||||
| Medical doctor | 38.0 | 42.3 | 45.4 | 39.4 | 29.6 | 39.7 |
| Public health clinic | 13.5 | 16.7 | 17.0 | 13.0 | 15.4 | 14.8 |
| Family planning clinic | 20.4 | 9.6 | 15.0 | 16.1 | 18.6 | 16.1 |
| Youth clinic | 8.8 | 7.1 | 9.1 | 8.6 | 5.3 | 8.1 |
| Drug store/pharmacy | 15.2 | 19.5 | 11.1 | 18.5 | 23.4 | 16.9 |
| Public bathroom | 1.5 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 1.3 |
| Mini-mart, grocery store, supermarket | 2.6 | 3.8 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 7.0 | 3.1 |
| Worry about getting AIDSa–f | 37.2 | 41.1 | 28.7 | 40.4 | 52.5 | 38.7 |
| Worry about getting AIDSb–g | 46.9 | 45.0 | 34.8 | 44.4 | 56.1 | 46.0 |
| Worry about getting AIDS (a lot)a–f | 26.4 | 29.4 | 21.6 | 28.6 | 36.1 | 27.6 |
| Worry about getting AIDS (a lot)b,d–g | 32.9 | 33.8 | 26.8 | 31.9 | 41.1 | 33.7 |
aPercentage of total respondents.
bStatistically significant gender difference (P < .01).
cSignificant difference between age groups (P < .01).
dStatistically significant difference between age groups 10–12 vs 13–15 years (P < .01).
eStatistically significant difference between age groups 10–12 vs 16–18 years (P < .01).
fStatistically significant difference between age groups 13–15 vs 16–18 years (P < .01).
gPercentage of those reporting history of intercourse.
hPairwise comparisons using χ2 tests with categories 1,2,3,4+.
iPairwise comparisons using χ2 tests grouping “not sure”/“don’t understand.”
jPairwise age comparison of MD/clinics vs nonclinic.