Table 1 Studies on sexual and reproductive health among adolescents in Tanzania
From: A scoping review on sexual and reproductive health behaviors among Tanzanian adolescents
Author, year of publication | Geographical location | Study design | Sample size | Study title | Age range (years) or school grade | Summary of findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Kalolo and Kibusi (2015) [10] | Newala, Mtwara | Cross-sectional | 403 | The influence of perceived behavior control, attitude and empowerment on reported condom use and intention to use condoms among adolescents in rural Tanzania | 14–19 | - 40.6% prevalence of sexually active participants (57.3% boys, 42.7% girls) - 49.8% had multiple concurrent sexual partners - 15.3% had sex before 14 years of age - 50.6% did not use condom at the last sexual intercourse - 77% indicated they intent to use condoms in the future. |
2. Njau et al. (2013) [16] | Rungwe district in Mbeya region | Cross-sectional | 324 | Correlates of use of condoms among sexually active youth in Southern Highlands, Tanzania | 14–18 | - 70% prevalence of sexually active participants - 62.5% had multiple concurrent sexual partners - 52.8% prevalence of condom use in the last 3 months - 50.7% of the sexually active adolescents were tested for HIV |
3. Mbeba et al. (2012) [8] | Mtwara | Qualitative study | 9 focus group (8 to 10 persons1 per group) | Barriers to sexual reproductive health services and rights among young people in Mtwara district, Tanzania | 10–18 | - The age range at sexual debut was 9 to 12 years - Girls reported to not having a place where they can talk about sex, contraception and STIs - Health services were inaccessible due to lack of privacy, confidentiality, equipment and negative attitudes from service providers, such as stigma and discrimination - Girls reported transactional sex (in exchange for money or food) and sexual abuse - Community members have the misconception that contraceptives will harm the fertility of young girls - Community members and service providers think it is inappropriate to girls have access to sexual and reproductive health services and family planning |
4. Exavery et al. (2012) [17] | Mpwapwa and Mbeya Rural Districts | Cross-sectional | 1327 | Acceptability of condom promotion among 10–19 years old adolescents in Mpwapwa and Mbeya Rural Districts, Tanzania | 10–19 | - 21.8% prevalence of sexually active participants - 38.9% of the boy and 34.7% of the girl participants accept condom promotion and distribution - 18.9% were aware of places where condoms were available or distributed freely - 79.4% agrees with condom effectiveness in preventing transmission of STIs |
5. Mmbaga et al. (2012) [12] | Morogoro Municipality | Cross-sectional | 316 | Incidence and predictors of adolescent’s early sexual debut after three decades of HIV interventions in Tanzania: a time to debut analysis | 16–19 | - 48.7% prevalence of sexually active participants (52% boys, 48% girls) - 57.8% had sex before 15 years of age - The age range at sexual debut was 8 to 19 years - 13.1% had more than 2 sexual partners in the last 6 months - Prevalence of transactional sex was 28.1% (62.8% girls, 31.8% boys) |
6. Mnyika et al. (2012) [18] | Moshi Rural District | Cross-sectional | 668 | Perceptions of AIDS risk and condom use among out-of-school adolescents in Moshi Rural District, northern Tanzania | 10–19 | - 45.4% prevalence of sexually active participants (68.1% boys, 31.9% girls) - 70.5% had multiple concurrent sexual partners |
7. Exavery et al. (2011) [9] | Four district in Tanzania: Kigoma, Kilombero, Rufiji, and Ulanga | Cross-sectional | 612 | Multiple sexual partners and condom use among 10–19 year-olds in four districts in Tanzania: What do we learn? | 10–19 | - 23.4% prevalence of sexually active participants - 42.0% had multiple sexual partners in the last 12 months - 39.2% prevalence of condom use in the last sexual intercourse (41.1% boys, 58.9% girls) |
8. Kazaura and Masatu (2009) [19] | Konde, Iringa, and Mara | Cross-sectional | 2749 | Sexual practices among unmarried adolescents in Tanzania | 10–19 | - 32.2% prevalence of sexually active participants - 14.8% had multiple concurrent sexual partners - 42% had used condoms at last sexual intercourse - 15.9% had sex unwillingly. Of these, 76% was due to rape (70.3% were girls) - 7.5% reported practicing anal sex |
9. Masatu et al. (2009) [20] | Diocese of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania which included Konde, South-Western, South Central, Iringa, and Diocese in Mara Region | Cross-sectional | 2928 | Predictors of risky sexual behavior among adolescents in Tanzania | 10–19 | - 30.6% prevalence of sexually active participants - Mean age of sexual debut was 13.5 years - 24.5% had multiple sexual partners - 47.8% reported use of condoms at last sexual intercourse |
10. Kigombola (2006) [21] | Rural Kisarawe | Cross-sectional | 334 | Knowledge, attitude and practices on HIV/AIDS, its transmission and prevention among primary school pupils in Rural Kisarawe | Sixth and seventh grade students (84% at 13 to 16 years old) | - 41.9% prevalence of sexually active participants - 78.6% sex before or at age 14 - 58% of the girls and 15.7% of the boys were forced into their first sexual intercourse - 28.6% reported use of condoms at last sexual intercourse - 81% had good overall knowledge on HIV/AIDS - 61.1% considered condoms ineffective in preventing HIV - 7.5% previously affected by STI |
11. Todd et al. (2004) [22] | Rural Tanzania | Cross-sectional | 9283 | The sexual health of pupils in years 4 to 6 of primary schools in rural Tanzania | Primary school students approximately 14 years and over | - 37.6% prevalence of sexually active participants (75.2% boys, 24.8% girls) - 72.4% of the boys and 46.2% of the girls reported they had more than 2 lifetime sexual partner - 23.3% of the girls had ever been forced to have sex by a boy or man - 0.1% of the boys and 0.2% of the girls were infected with HIV - 0.3% of the boys and 1.6% of the girls were infected with Chlamydia trachomatis - 0.04% of the boys and 0.2% of the girls were infected with Neisseria gonorrhea - 0.8% overall prevalence of pregnancy - Prevalence of pregnancy increased from 0.3% in 14 year olds to 2.5% in 17 years and above |
12. Obasi et al. (2001) [23] | Rural Mwanza region | Cross-sectional | 9445 | Prevalence of HIV and Chlamydia trachomatis infection in 15–19-year olds in rural Tanzania | 15–19 | - 0.6% of the boys and 2.4% of the girls were infected with HIV - Prevalence of HIV increased with age among boys (0.2% in 15 years to 1.0% in 19 years old) and girls (0.9% in 15 years to 4.6% in 19 year old) - 1.0% of the boys and 2.4% of the girls were infected with Chlamydia trachomatis |
13. Rasch et al. (2000) [24] | Dar-es-Salaam | Cross-sectional | 197 | Adolescent girls with illegally induced abortion in Dar-es-Salaam: the discrepancy between sexual behavior and lack of access to contraception. | 14–19 | - 9.3% had sex before or at age 14 - Median age of sexual debut was 16 years - 67.5% had more than 2 sexual partners - Average number of sexual partners was 1.7 - 7.1% contraceptive prevalence - Majority of girls reported to have knowledge of condoms and oral contraceptives - 0.5% previously affected by STI |
Dar-es-Salaam | Qualitative | 51 | Â | Â | - 41.2% sex before or at age 14 - 13.7% previously affected by STI - Girls reported transactional sex (in exchange for money or gifts) - Many of the girls were forced to have sex, especially in the first sexual intercourse - Girls have a superficial knowledge of modern contraception and are deeply misinformed about its use |