Table I.
Descriptive characteristics of Malawian females (n = 595) aged 13-24 years who have ever had sex, 2013
| Characteristics | Weighted % (n/N) | 95% CI, % |
|---|---|---|
| Age of survey participant | ||
| 13-17 years | 14.7 (94/595) | 11.2-18.1 |
| 18-24 years | 85.3 (501/595) | 81.9-88.8 |
| Marital status* | ||
| Unmarried | 17.7 (109/595) | 12.3-23.1 |
| Married or living as married | 82.3 (486/595) | 76.9-87.7 |
| Highest level of education | ||
| Primary or less† | 79.8 (444/594) | 72.2-87.4 |
| Secondary or more | 20.2 (150/594) | 12.6-27.8 |
| Social relationships | ||
| Peer support‡ | ||
| Yes | 62.5 (379/591) | 56.0-69.1 |
| No | 37.5 (212/591) | 30.9-44.0 |
| Parental support§ | ||
| Yes | 73.7 (462/587) | 68.3-79.2 |
| No | 26.3 (125/587) | 20.8-31.7 |
| Childhood exposure to violence | ||
| Any physical violence¶ | ||
| Yes | 46.6 (281/576) | 41.3-51.8 |
| No | 53.4 (295/576) | 48.2-58.7 |
| Any emotional violence** | ||
| Yes | 24.3 (150/587) | 18.4-30.2 |
| No | 75.7 (437/587) | 69.8-81.6 |
| Any nonpenetrative sexual violence†† | ||
| Yes | 28.3 (179/595) | 24.4-32.3 |
| No | 71.7(416/595) | 67.7-75.6 |
| Forced sexual initiation | ||
| Yes | 38.9 (239/595) | 32.2-45.7 |
| No | 61.1 (356/595) | 54.3-67.8 |
Ever married or ever living together.
Completed primary school or less.
(Talks to friends “a lot” or “a little” about important things.
Felt “very close” or “close” to one or both biological parents.
Physical violence defined as respondent being punched, kicked, whipped, beat, choked, smothered, drowned, intentionally burnt by a parent, adult in the household, adult in the community, or peer before age 18 years.
Emotional violence defined as respondent being told as a child by her parents or caregivers that she was not loved; that they wished she had never been born; or she was ridiculed or put down before age 18 years.
Nonpenetrative sexual violence defined as sexual exploitation, unwanted touching, or attempted sex at any age, but preceding sexual debut.