Early sexual intercourse.

OBJECTIVES This analysis estimates the percentage of adolescents who have had sexual intercourse by age 14 or 15 and examines characteristics at age 12 or 13 that are associated with early sexual activity. DATA SOURCE The data are from the 1996/97, 1998/99 and 2000/01 National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, conducted by Statistics Canada. ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES Descriptive statistics were used to determine the proportion of 14- or 15-year-olds who have had sexual intercourse. Logistic regression was used to model sexual activity at age 14 or 15 in relation to the adolescent's characteristics at age 12 or 13. MAIN RESULTS The percentages of boys and girls who had had intercourse by age 14 or 15 were almost the same--12% and 13%--but the characteristics associated with such behaviour differed. Among girls, region of residence, the onset of puberty, weak self-concept, having tried smoking or drinking, and not being overweight were significantly associated with early sexual activity. For boys, older age, a poor relationship with parents, low household income, and having tried smoking were significant.