Effects of Sociodemographic Characteristics, Menstrual (Health) Literacy and Contraception Literacy on Sexual Abstinence Among Never-Married Chadian and Cameroonian Adolescents and Young Adults: Results from Population-Based Surveys.

Sexual abstinence has been recognized as one of the strategies to prevent unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS among adolescents and young adults in the Sub-Saharan Africa. However, factors associated with youth decisions to abstain are understudied. This study aimed to examine how demographic factors, menstrual (health) literacy, contraception literacy, sociocultural factors are associated with sexual abstinence among Chadian and Cameroonian adolescents and young adults (AYAs). We used data from the Chadian and Cameroonian Demographic and Health Surveys. The study included 10,644 single AYAs aged 15-24. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with sexual abstinence. The models explained 37% of variance in sexual abstinence among both Chadian and Cameroonian AYAs. At the individual level, age, gender, education, employment status, menstrual literacy, and contraception literacy were associated with abstinence. At the interpersonal level, gender, and age of the head of household were associated, and at the sociocultural level, religion, household socioeconomic status, place of residence, and exposure to media showed significant associations. The study suggests a need for a multifaceted approach, including educational reforms and public health policies that address structural inequalities and reduce sexual vulnerability among AYAs.