Factors Associated with Risky Sexual Behavior among Adolescents in Mbujimayi “Case of the Pupils of the School Complex of Manzonzo” (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Unusual sexual behavior is a major problem in the life of society, both in developed and developing countries, in its magnitude. The aim of this study is to describe the factors associated with risky sexual behavior in adolescents. This is a descriptive study carried out in the town of Mbujimayi with teenage students. The following observations were made: 315 adolescent students aged 12 to 19 responded with informed consent to our questionnaire, of which 73 reported having had their first sexual intercourse. After analyzing the data, we arrived at the following results: 23.2% had already had their first sexual intercourse; adolescents aged 12 to 14 occupied the first place with 53.4%; 58.9% were men and 41.1% were women (gender ratio of 1.4 in favor of men); 23.2% had ever had sex; 64.4% of sex was done with friends; 83.6% of sexual intercourse was voluntary and 16.4% forced; 64.4% of sexual relations were the occasion of a friendly meeting; 49.3% of sexual relations were concluded on the initiative of friends; 56.2% of respondents put society as the main factor, followed by sexual pleasure with 34.2% of respondents; 79.5% of intercourse was unprotected.

• Factors
• Sexual Behavior
• Adolescents
• Mbujimayi

1. Introduction

The sexual behavior of the individual reflects the values and norms acquired in his social environment and is situated in a given context. Unlike previous generations, adolescents these days have prohibitions and constraints when it comes to sexuality. Adopting pornographic sexuality exposes adolescents to specific health risks (HIV, unwanted pregnancy, etc.) [1].

In Europe, the most recent survey on the issue was carried out between 2009-2010 and the results were published in 2011. This comparative study carried out in 35 European countries and by the WHO on the sexual tendencies of pupils of 15 years old reveals that 26% of these young people had already had sexual relations.

Although there has been a decrease in early sexual intercourse in industrialized areas, the author observed an increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and found that the factors associated with risky sexual behavior were parental violence, low level of home economics, curiosity [2].

According to the WHO, there are nearly 16 million girls between the ages of 15 and 19 and about 1 million girls under the age of 15 who give birth each year. Most of these births took place in low- and middle-income countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa. Each year, nearly 3 million adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 undergo unsafe abortions and 15.8% of them are living with HIV/AIDS [3].

In addition, there are different factors or situations which positively or negatively influence the sexuality of adolescents such as: the need for money to meet their daily needs, curiosity, the desire to be like friends, parents, the media, the lack of sex education of adolescents, communication between parents and adolescents which help to improve their level of knowledge of the risks associated with sexual activity; how to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. But unfortunately, in the majority of African families, this subject on sexuality is still a taboo [4].

In his study in sub-Saharan Africa, Rwange [5] shows that early and risky sexual activity in French-speaking countries is intense compared to France where 7.2% of boys and 5.9% of girls are sexually active before reaching the age of 15, of which 6.2% live with children. The predictors are under-information, low economic status of the family, curiosity, non-use of condoms, etc.

In the Situation of Adolescents and Youth in Africa report, 33% of boys aged 15 - 19 had had multiple sexual partners in the past 12 months prior to the survey, compared to just 4% of girls in the same age group. The prevalence rate of condom using the last high-risk intercourse was 32% for boys aged 15 - 19 and 24% for girls of the same age. The precocity of the first sexual experiences associated with the low contraceptive prevalence (condom) and/or the multi-partnership exposes adolescents to many risks including the contraction of sexually transmitted infections (HIV/AIDS), unwanted early pregnancies and the maternity, dropping out of school [6].

In Congo Brazza, Mabiala, Jr et al. (2008) [7], In their research on adolescent sexuality in Brazzaville, found that out of 900 adolescents selected by two-stage cluster sampling, one in 2 adolescents (n = 474 including 270 girls) reported having had sex, the mean age of onset was 14.6 years and older. or less 1.7 years, early sexual intercourse (before age 14) was found in boys 39 girls (PL 0.001) multi-partnership was almost constant in boys (81.3%) while this practice was observed in 51.1% of the girls, the risk factors for pregnancies and multi-partnership were lack of employment for the mother, dropping out of school, lack of sex education, early menarche.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 45 births per 1000 girls aged 15 to 19 are registered. Most are in good health, but there are still a significant number of diseases that can hamper their growth and full development. Consumption of alcohol or tobacco, unprotected sex and/or exposure to sexual violence; 18.2% of adolescents are living with HIV/AIDS [8].

In Kasai-Oriental in general, and in the town of Mbujimayi in particular, a general observation shows a large number of adolescents who run unprotected sexual risks. To this end, we deemed it appropriate to conduct a study on “factors associated with risky sexual behavior among adolescents in the city of Mbujimayi, case of the Manzonzo School group”.

We asked ourselves the following questions: What is the level of sexuality of adolescents in the school group and what may be the factors associated with risky sexual behavior among adolescents in the Manzonzo school group?

We believe that curiosity, research money, mistreatment of parents, level of economy are the risk factors in Mbujimayi teens.

2. Material and Methods

We opted for the questionnaire survey method supported by the structured face-to-face interview technique and documentary analysis. The target population for this study is made up of all adolescents aged 12 to 19 who responded with informed consent to our questionnaire. And our sample took into account the entire population, i.e. 315 students. We used the convenience-type non-probability sampling technique. To be part of our sample, the following conditions had to be met: To be registered in Manzonzo, voluntarily accept by free consent to participate in our study and be present on the days of the survey. We presented our results by age, sex, grade, section, condom use, type of partner, occasion, initiative, act of sex at the sexual intercourse read.

3. Results

The analysis of Table 1 shows that 76.8% of our respondents have not yet had their first sexual intercourse against 23.2% who have already had their first sexual intercourse.

In Table 2, we noticed that the 12 - 14 age group occupies the first place in the series with 53.4%, followed by that of 15 - 17 years old with 24.6%, against 22% of 18 - 19 years of refusal.

In light of this table, we found that 58.9% of our respondents were men, followed by 41.1% women (sex ratio 1.4 in favor of men).

It emerges from Table 2 that 42.5% of our respondents are in third place in human sciences, followed by 36.9% in 4^th in human sciences and 5.5% in 6^th in human sciences.

It emerges from Table 2 that pedagogy is the most represented section of the series with 39.7%, followed by cutting and sewing with 35.6%, 13.7% of sales and ultimately 11% for chemistry of biology.

From Table 3, we noted that 64.4% had their first relationship with friends, followed by 24.6% with their fiancé (s) and 11% with others.

Analysis of Table 3 shows that 83.3% made their first sexual intercourse voluntarily, followed by 16.4% forced.

Table 3 explains that 64.4% of our respondents had their first sexual intercourse during a friendly meeting, followed by 24.6% of the planned outing.

Reading Table 3 revealed that 49.3% of sex was signed by friends, followed by 17.8% by both.

It emerges from Table 4 that the company is the main factor predisposing to the sexual act among our respondents with 56.2% followed by 34.2% of sexual pleasure or desire, against 4.1% of financial impossibility.

Table 1

Distribution of respondents according to first sexual intercourse

First report done	Effective	%
Yes	73	23.2
No	242	76.8
Total	315	100

Table 2

Sociodemographic characteristics

Characteristics	Categories	n = 73	%
Sex	Feminine	30	41.1
	Male	43	58.9
age range	12 - 14	39	53.4
	15 - 17	18	24.6
	18 - 19	16	22
Classroom	3rd	31	42.5
	4th	27	36.9
	5th	11	15.1
	6th	4	5.5
Sections	Biology-Chemistry	8	11
	Commercial	10	13.7
	cut and sew	26	35.6

Table 3

Sociodemographic characteristics

Characteristics	Categorys	n = 73	%
Sexual partners	Friend	47	64.4
	Fiancee	18	24.6
	Other	8	11
Reports	Voluntary	61	83.6
	Strength	12	16.4
The occasion of the first sexual intercourse	Scheduled output	18	24.6
	Friendly meeting	47	64.4
	School event	02	3
	Other	06	8
Report concluded on the initiative	Me	11	15.1
	Partner	08	11
	Both	13	17.8
	Friend	36	49.3
	Other	05	6.8

Table 4

Respondents according to the factors that motivated this first sexual encounter

Actors F	Effective	%
Sexual pleasure or sexual urge	25	34.2
Financial impossibility	3	4.1
Company	41	56.2
Pornographic films considered	1	1.4
Other	3	4.1
Total	73	100

Table 5 shows that 79.5% relative to sex were not protected by a condom, against 20.5% who underlie the protection protected by a condom.

Table 5

Distribution of respondents according to condom use

Use of the condom	Effective	%
Yes	15	20.5
No	58	79.5
Total	73	100

4. Discussion

The analysis of Table 1 shows that 23.2% of our surveys have already had their first sexual intercourse. This result is superior to that found by Takou kuitche [9], which shows that 5.6% of adolescent girls have already had their first sexual intercourse.

Reading Table 2 shows that the 12 - 14 age group ranks first in the series with 53.4%, followed by the 15 - 17 age group with 24.6%. According to EDS (2004) [7], shows that the average age of respondents was 15 years with 56%. Based on Table 2, we found that 58.9% of the adolescents surveyed were male, followed by 41.1% female. Compared to gender Takou kuitche [9] which shows that teenage girls were numerous with 64.5%, against 35.5% of teenage girls.

Table 2 shows that 42.5% of our respondents are in third year of human sciences, followed by 36.9% who are in fourth year of human sciences, against 5.5% of sixth year. Our results do not agree with those of the DHS) [10], which shows that high school had an at-risk prevalence of 5.1%.

Table 2 shows that education is the most represented section of the series with 39.7%, followed by cutting and crimping with 35.6%. According to the DHS [10], the secondary level had an HIV/AIDS prevalence of 5.1%. In contrast, among adolescent girls with no formal education and among those with primary education, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is almost the same at 4.3% and 4.2%.

Looking at Table 3, we noticed that 64.4% had their first sexual intercourse with friends, followed by 24.6% with their fiancé (s). These results differ from those found by G. Akoa [11], which proves that his respondents had several partners with 8.2%.

Analysis of Table 3 shows that 83.6% voluntarily had sex for the first time, followed by 16.4% forced sex.

Table 3 shows that 64.4% of our respondents had their first sexual intercourse during a friendly, followed by 24.6% of the scheduled outing.

Reading Table 3 shows that 49.3% of sexual relations were concluded on the initiative of friends, followed by 17.8% on the initiative of both.

The results of Table 4 prove that society is the main predisposing factor to sexual relations among our respondents with 56.2%, followed by 34.2% of sexual pleasure or sexual desire. These results differ from those found by G. Akoa [11], which shows that the main factor was the mass media with 5% ε ξ o σ υ ρ ε. In Table 5, 79.5% of intercourse was not protected by condoms, and 20.5% was protected. These results are close to those found by Rwenge [5], for whom 40.5% of the reports of his respondents were protected and 59.5% unprotected.

5. Conclusions

Our research focused on factors associated with risk for sexual behavior among adolescents in Mbuji-Mayi. In the case of the Manzonzo school group, we set ourselves the following objectives: to list all the adolescents aged 12 to 19 concerned by our study; determine the level of sexuality of adolescents; describe the factors associated with risky sexual behavior in adolescents aged 12 to 19.

In view of the above, we have summarized our problem in these questions: What is the level of sexuality of adolescents in the Manzonzo school group and what are the factors associated with risky sexual behavior in adolescents in the Manzonzo school group?

On a sample of 315 students and by the questionnaire survey method supported by structured interview and documentary analysis, we arrived at the following results. After analyzing the data, we arrived at the following results: 23.2% of our respondents have already had their first sexual intercourse; adolescents aged 12 to 14 take first place with 53.4%, followed by those aged 15 to 17 with 24.6%; 58.9% of our respondents are men versus 41.1% women; 42.5% of our respondents are in 3^rd human sciences; 39.7% of respondents are in pedagogy, followed by 35.6% in cutting and sewing; 64.4% of sex was done with friends; 83.6% of sexual intercourse was voluntary and 16.4% forced; 64.4% of sexual relations were the occasion of a friendly meeting; 49.3% of sexual relations were concluded on the initiative of friends; 56.2% of respondents put society as the main factor, followed by sexual pleasure with 34.2% of respondents; 79.5% of intercourse and 25.5% were protected.

Overall, the issue of adolescents’ sexual behavior includes several aspects that we believe future researchers will undertake similar research on other schools and in particular on adolescent behavior, attitude and practice regarding the issue use of condoms.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

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