Characterization of Sexual Behavior in Adolescents from the Northeastern Border of Tamaulipas

Abstract

Objective: To identify the characteristics of sexual behavior among adolescents from the northeastern border of Tamaulipas.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted in a population of high school students from the northeastern border of Tamaulipas. A probabilistic random sampling method was used, yielding a final sample of 543 students. The Gamarra-Tenorio & Iannacone (2010) questionnaire was applied, which evaluates sociodemographic profile and sexual behavior. Descriptive statistics were performed, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test with Lilliefors correction was applied using the SPSS software, version 26.

Results: The mean age of participants was 16.89 years (SD = 1.27), with females representing 65.4% of the sample. Most students were born in municipalities of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Laredo. The mean age of menarche was 11.68 years (SD = 2.19) and spermarche 11.38 years (SD = 4.69). Adolescents reported sexual experiences such as hugging (21.8%) and kissing (19.2%). Furthermore, 47.8% had already experienced first sexual intercourse, with a mean age of 15.27 years (SD = 1.29); among them, 35.7% did not use any contraceptive method.

Conclusions: Adolescent sexual behavior in this population is characterized by early pubertal maturation and the initiation of sexual life at relatively young ages. These practices are mainly developed within dating relationships, where affective expressions (such as hugging and kissing) play an important role preceding sexual intercourse. However, inconsistent contraceptive use leads a considerable proportion of adolescents toward risky sexual behavior.

Keywords: Adolescents; Sexual behavior; Contraception; Border health.