Lifting the Curtain on the Conditions of Sexual Initiation Among Youth in Ethiopia

Brown University Population Studies and Training Center Working Paper No. 2012-01

26 Pages Posted: 30 Mar 2012

See all articles by David Lindstrom

David Lindstrom

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Megan Hattori

Brown University

Tefera Belachew

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Fasil Tessema

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: February 3, 2012

Abstract

Purpose: Deriving accurate estimates of the level of sexual coercion is challenging because of the stigma that is attached to the experience. This study examines the effectiveness of a nonverbal response card method to reduce social desirability bias in reports of the conditions of sexual initiation among youth in southwestern Ethiopia.

Methods: The conditions surrounding sexual initiation are examined using data from a pilot survey and a final survey of youth aged 13 to 24. Half of the respondents in each survey were randomly assigned to a nonverbal response card method for sensitive questions on sexual attitudes and behavior, and the other half of the respondents were assigned to a control group that provided verbal responses. Responses for the two groups to questions regarding the conditions of sexual initiation are compared.

Results: Respondents who used the nonverbal response card were more likely to report pressure from friends or a partner, having sex for money or another gain, and rape as conditions of sexual initiation than respondents who provided verbal responses. Among sexually experienced youth, 29.3% of respondents who used the card method reported some form of coercion during sexual initiation compared to 19.4% of respondents who gave verbal responses.

Conclusions: The nonverbal response card provides an effective method for reducing social desirability bias when soliciting responses to sensitive questions in the context of an interviewer- administered survey. The analysis also suggests that coerced sexual initiation is underreported by youth in interviewer-administered surveys that use conventional verbal responses.

Keywords: Sexual coercion, initiation of sexual intercourse, social desirability bias, non-verbal response card, David Lindstrom, Brown University

Suggested Citation

Lindstrom, David and Hattori, Megan and Belachew, Tefera and Tessema, Fasil, Lifting the Curtain on the Conditions of Sexual Initiation Among Youth in Ethiopia (February 3, 2012). Brown University Population Studies and Training Center Working Paper No. 2012-01, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2031064 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2031064

David Lindstrom (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

Megan Hattori

Brown University ( email )

Box 1860
Providence, RI 02912
United States

Tefera Belachew

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

Fasil Tessema

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

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