The practice of sexuality by adolescent girls and young people in the colleges of Cotonou in the Republic of Benin

Aim: To explore the practice of sexuality among teenagers and young people from Cotonou colleges in R. Benin. Patients and methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that took place over a two-month period (02) from May 02 to July 02, 2018. The Sampling was non-probabilistic. Teenagers and young people aged 10 to 24 attending Cotonou colleges located near an education center and who gave their consent were included. Data analysis was done using SPPS software. Results: The average age of the 147 schoolgirls surveyed was 19 years old with extremes of 12 to 24 years old. More than one source of information on sexuality was mentioned by the respondent and the main ones were cybercafés or internet 51% (n = 75) and family education 56.5% (n = 83). Of the respondents, 43.5% (n = 64) had had their first sexual encounter and most of them (47/64) had sex before the age of 18. One (1) to three (3) intercourse per week was reported by 41% (26/64) of college students. All sexually active schoolgirls (n = 64) reported having heterosexual sex. The practice of group sex in the presence of multiple sexual partners (orgy) was reported by 76.6% (49/64). The sexual partner was occasional in 29.7% (n = 19/64) and sexual desire was motivation in 68% (n = 13). Sex was unprotected in 80%. Conclusion: The sexual practices of Cotonou schoolgirls were early and at high risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI), unwanted pregnancies despite the proximity of education centers.