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Sexual activity by marital status and age: a comparative perspective
Philipp Ueffing1, Aisha N Z Dasgupta1, Vladimíra Kantorová1
1Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations Population Division, New York, USA.
Journal of Biosocial Science
|December 19, 2019
Summary
Sexual activity varies significantly by marital status and region, impacting family planning needs. Unmarried women show distinct patterns, requiring tailored contraceptive services and policies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Demography
- Public Health
Background:
- Understanding sexual activity patterns is crucial for effective family planning programs.
- Assessing contraceptive needs requires accurate data on sexual behavior across diverse populations.
- Global variations in sexual activity necessitate region-specific family planning strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in sexual activity by marital status and age globally.
- To examine the association between sexual activity and contraceptive use.
- To inform family planning policies and programs, particularly for unmarried women.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 220 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) and 62 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICSs).
- Inclusion of data from 94 countries across various global regions.
- Examination of sexual activity based on marital status, age, and timing of last sexual intercourse.
Main Results:
- Significant global diversity in sexual activity by marital status and age was observed.
- Married women reported higher recent sexual activity (50-90%) compared to unmarried women (<50%).
- Unmarried women's sexual activity showed regional variations and an inverted U-pattern by age, peaking in young adulthood.
Conclusions:
- Sexual activity patterns are highly diverse globally, influenced by marital status and age.
- Contraceptive use among non-sexually active women highlights varying needs and method preferences.
- Evidence supports the need for tailored family planning services and policies for unmarried women.
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