Relationship Context of First Sex - Agency, Consent, and Coercion: Young People's Experiences of First Sex in Ashanti and Northern Regions, Ghana (QRS24) - Analysis Brief [AB35]

A qualitative study conducted in the Ashanti and Northern Regions of Ghana explored the themes surrounding young people's first sexual experience, their relationships with peers and adults, their partner's attributes, relationship type, and coercion. The study found that the majority of young people first have sex in established relationships. Among the 114 young women and 40 young men interviewed, about four in five respondents had their first sexual experience within an established, intimate relationship. The remaining respondents first had sex with someone they were not in a relationship with at the time. Notably, all respondents from the Ashanti Region and all young men from the Northern Region first had sex before marriage, while over half of young women from the Northern Region were married at the time they first had sex. The discussion of sex prior to the time of first sex depends on the relationship type. People in established relationships generally discuss sex beforehand, with men often initiating the discussion. For those who did not communicate about sex prior to the time of sex, many began discussing sex afterwards. In contrast, for respondents whose first sex was with a non-partner, there was often no discussion about sex at all, either before or after sex. Young people also discuss sex with peers around the time of first sex. Both young men and women generally talked with their peers about sex before first sex, though the types of conversations were very different for women and men. Women reported much more general conversations with their peers, while men were more likely to talk about their own personal experiences. Couples generally had more open communication about sex and family planning after first sex. While communication about sex was often limited before first sex, many respondents reported higher levels of communication about sex and family planning in their relationships afterwards. This suggests that the experience of first sex can lead to increased openness and communication about sex and family planning within relationships. The study also highlights the importance of peer relationships in shaping young people's experiences of first sex. Young people often share their experiences and discuss sex with their peers, although the nature and extent of these conversations can vary depending on the individual and their social context.