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Updated: Sep 13, 2025

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
Sexual behavior and its influencing factors among Uruguayan adolescents: a cross-sectional study
Tonmoy Alam Shuvo1, Kabir Hossain1, Arifur Rahman1
1Department of Statistics, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh.
Background:
This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing adolescent sexual behavior in Uruguay, with a focus on socio-demographics, substance use, psychological distress, and protective factors.
Methods:
We analyzed data from the 2019 Uruguay Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS). Chi-square tests identified variables significantly associated with sexual behavior. Mixed-effects logistic regression models estimated odds ratios, and a fully adjusted model provided adjusted odds ratios for all significant factors. All analyses were performed using R programming.
Result:
Our analysis included a total of 2495 participants. Older adolescents (≥15 years) had a significantly higher likelihood of engaging in sexual behavior (AOR: 3.69, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 2.92-4.66). Tobacco (AOR: 2.60, 95% CI: 1.91-3.55) and alcohol use (AOR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.71-2.56) were strong risk factors, along with alcohol-related behavioral issues (AOR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.65-2.62). Anxiety (AOR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.09-2.08) and involvement in physical fights (AOR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.42-2.40) increased the odds, while loneliness showed a protective effect (AOR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.46-0.83). Parental bonding (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.45-0.65), attachment (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.59-0.82), and supervision (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.54-0.77) showed significant effects before adjustment, but after adjustment, they became insignificant. Sedentary behavior reduced the likelihood, while truancy increased the possibility of sexual behavior among adolescents.
Conclusion:
Interventions should aim to reduce adolescent sexual risk behaviors by promoting healthy practices and addressing factors such as substance use, mental health, and parental involvement to encourage safer sexual behaviors.
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