Is the sexual behaviour of young people in sub-Saharan Africa influenced by their peers? A systematic review
Open accessAbstract
Adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa are highly vulnerable to HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. Evidence for the effectiveness of individual behaviour change interventions in reducing incidence of HIV and other biological outcomes is limited, and the need to address the social conditions in which young people become sexually active is clear. Adolescents' peers are a key aspect of this social environment and could have important influences on sexual behaviour. There has not yet been a systematic review on the topic in sub-Saharan Africa. We searched 4 databases to find studies set in sub-Saharan Africa that included an adjusted analysis of the association between at least one peer exposure and a sexual behaviour outcome among a sample where at least 50% of the study participants were aged between 13 and 20 years. We classified peer exposures using a framework to distinguish different mechanisms by which influence might occur. We found 30 studies and retained 11 that met quality criteria. There were 3 cohort studies, 1 time to event and 7 cross-sectional. The 11 studies investigated 37 different peer exposure-outcome associations. No studies used a biological outcome and all asked about peers in general rather than about specific relationships. Studies were heterogeneous in their use of theoretical frameworks and means of operationalizing peer influence concepts. All studies found evidence for an association between peers and sexual behaviour for at least one peer exposure/outcome/sub-group association. Of all 37 outcome/exposure/sub-group associations tested, there was evidence for 19 (51%). There were no clear patterns by type of peer exposure, outcome or adolescent sub-group. There is a lack conclusive evidence about the role of peers in adolescent sexual behaviour in Sub-Saharan. We argue that longitudinal designs, use of biological outcomes and approaches from social network analysis are priorities for future studies.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: the PRISMA statement
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & for the PRISMA Group (2009) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.b2535 · Cited by 83,823 · see citing works
Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA Statement.
(2009) · PubMed Central · Cited by 44,859 · see citing works
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., & Altman, D. G. (2009) · Journal of Clinical Epidemiology · doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2009.06.005 · Cited by 19,575 · see citing works
The environment and disease: association or causation?
Hill, A. B. (2015) · Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine · doi:10.1177/0141076814562718 · Cited by 7,302 · see citing works
The Environment and Disease: Association or Causation?
Hill, A. B. (1965) · Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine · doi:10.1177/003591576505800503 · Cited by 6,974 · see citing works
Identification of Endogenous Social Effects: The Reflection Problem
Manski, C. F. (1993) · The Review of Economic Studies · doi:10.2307/2298123 · Cited by 6,209 · see citing works
Cialdini, R. B., Reno, R. R., & Kallgren, C. A. (1990) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.58.6.1015 · Cited by 5,965 · see citing works
The role of conceptual frameworks in epidemiological analysis: a hierarchical approach.
Victora, C. G., HUTTLY, S. R. A., Fuchs, S. C. P. C., & Olinto, M. T. A. (1997) · International Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/ije/26.1.224 · Cited by 2,408 · see citing works
Network models of the diffusion of innovations
Valente, T. W. (1996) · Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory · doi:10.1007/bf00240425 · Cited by 1,657 · see citing works
Age differences in resistance to peer influence.
Steinberg, L. D., & Monahan, K. C. (2007) · Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1037/0012-1649.43.6.1531 · Cited by 1,625 · see citing works
Developmental changes in conformity to peers and parents.
Berndt, T. J. (1979) · Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1037/0012-1649.15.6.608 · Cited by 905 · see citing works
Vitamin D deficiency and depression in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis
Anglin, R. E. S., Samaan, Z., Walter, S. D., & McDonald, S. D. (2013) · British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.111.106666 · Cited by 820 · see citing works
Pettifor, A. E., Rees, H. V., Kleinschmidt, I., Steffenson, A. E., MacPhail, C., Hlongwa-Madikizela, L., Vermaak, K., & Padian, N. S. (2005) · AIDS · doi:10.1097/01.aids.0000183129.16830.06 · Cited by 645 · see citing works
Self-citation‘I think condoms are good but, aai, I hate those things’:
MacPhail, C., & Campbell, C. (2001) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(00)00272-0 · Cited by 637 · see citing works
Sexual mixing patterns and sex-differentials in teenage exposure to HIV infection in rural Zimbabwe
Gregson, S., Nyamukapa, C. A., Garnett, G. P., Mason, P. R., Zhuwau, T., Caraël, M., Chandiwana, S. K., & Anderson, R. M. (2002) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(02)08780-9 · Cited by 582 · see citing works
Medley, A. M., Kennedy, C. E., O’Reilly, K., & Sweat, M. D. (2009) · AIDS Education and Prevention · doi:10.1521/aeap.2009.21.3.181 · Cited by 546 · see citing works
Predictors of Adolescent Sexual Behavior and Intention: A Theory-Guided Systematic Review
Buhi, E. R., & Goodson, P. (2007) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.09.027 · Cited by 522 · see citing works
Connectedness as a Predictor of Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes for Youth
Markham, C. M., Lormand, D., Gloppen, K. M., Peskin, M. F., Flores, B., Low, B. J., & House, L. D. (2010) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.11.214 · Cited by 445 · see citing works
Adolescent Oral Sex, Peer Popularity, and Perceptions of Best Friends' Sexual Behavior
Prinstein, M. J. (2003) · Journal of Pediatric Psychology · doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsg012 · Cited by 293 · see citing works
The buffer theory of social support – a review of the literature
Alloway, R., & Bebbington, P. (1987) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291700013015 · Cited by 289 · see citing works
Associations among adolescent risk behaviours and self-esteem in six domains
Wild, L. G., Flisher, A. J., Bhana, A., & Lombard, C. J. (2004) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00851.x · Cited by 286 · see citing works
Age Differences in Sexual Partners and Risk of HIV-1 Infection in Rural Uganda
Kelly, R. J., Gray, R. H., Sewankambo, N. K., Serwadda, D., Wabwire‐Mangen, F., Lutalo, T., & Wawer, M. J. (2003) · JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes · doi:10.1097/00126334-200304010-00016 · Cited by 268 · see citing works
Iannotti, R. J., & Bush, P. J. (1992) · Journal of Youth and Adolescence · doi:10.1007/bf01537024 · Cited by 228 · see citing works
Peer-led interventions to reduce HIV risk of youth: A review
Maticka‐Tyndale, E., & Barnett, J. P. (2009) · Evaluation and Program Planning · doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2009.07.001 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Harrison, A. D. (2008) · Culture Health & Sexuality · doi:10.1080/13691050701775068 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Mercken, L. A. G., Steglich, C., Sinclair, P., Holliday, J., & Moore, L. (2012) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0026876 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
The influence of male and female best friends on adolescent sexual behavior.
Billy, J. O. G., & Udry, J. R. (1985) · PubMed · Cited by 133 · see citing works
Identification of Peer Effects Through Social NetworksPreprint
Bramoullé, Y., Djebbari, H., & Fortin, B. (2007) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.965818 · Cited by 133 · see citing works
Buvé, A., Lagarde, E., Caraël, M., Rutenberg, N., Ferry, B., Glynn, J. R., Laourou, M., Akam, E., Chege, J., & Sukwa, T. Y. (2001) · AIDS · doi:10.1097/00002030-200108004-00013 · Cited by 131 · see citing works
Early sexual debut and associated factors among in‐school adolescents in eight African countries
Peltzer, K. (2010) · Acta Paediatrica · doi:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2010.01874.x · Cited by 130 · see citing works
Estimating peer effects in sexual behavior among adolescents
Ali, M. M., & Dwyer, D. S. (2010) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.12.008 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Stöckl, H., Kalra, N., Jacobi, J., & Watts, C. (2012) · American Journal of Reproductive Immunology · doi:10.1111/aji.12043 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
Friends' Influence on Adolescents' First Sexual Intercourse
Sieving, R. E., Eisenberg, M. E., Pettingell, S. L., & Skay, C. L. (2006) · Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health · doi:10.1363/3801306 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Friends' Influence on Adolescents' First Sexual Intercourse
Sieving, R. E., Eisenberg, M. E., Pettingell, S. L., & Skay, C. L. (2006) · Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health · doi:10.1111/j.1931-2393.2006.tb00054.x · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Selikow, T.-A., Ahmed, N., Flisher, A. J., Mathews, C., & Mukoma, W. (2009) · Scandinavian Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1177/1403494809103903 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
South African Adolescents: Pathways to Risky Sexual Behavior
Brook, D. W., Morojele, N. K., Zhang, C., & Brook, J. S. (2006) · AIDS Education and Prevention · doi:10.1521/aeap.2006.18.3.259 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Friends' influence on adolescents' first sexual intercourse.
Sieving, R. E., Eisenberg, M. E., Pettingell, S. L., & Skay, C. L. (2006) · PubMed · doi:10.1363/psrh.38.013.06 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Wand, H. C., & Gita Ramjee, H. (2012) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2011-000285 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Transition into first sex among adolescents in slum and non-slum communities in Nairobi, Kenya
Kabiru, C. W., Beguy, D., Undie, C.-C., Zulu, E. M., & Ezeh, A. C. (2010) · Journal of Youth Studies · doi:10.1080/13676261003801754 · Cited by 77 · cited 7× · see citing works
“, 2012), while in two studies composite measures of peer behaviours were developed and employed in a ‘protection-risk framework’ (Kabiru et al., 2010) and as mediators of more distal socioeconomic factors (Brook et al.”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialNegeri, E. L. (2014) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-301 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Harmful lifestyles' clustering among sexually active in-school adolescents in Zambia
Siziya, S., Muula, A. S., Kazembe, L. N., & Rudatsikira, E. (2008) · BMC Pediatrics · doi:10.1186/1471-2431-8-6 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
The correlates of safe sex practices among Rwandan youth: a positive deviance approach
Babalola, S. O., Awasum, D., & Quenum-Renaud, B. (2002) · African Journal of AIDS Research · doi:10.2989/16085906.2002.9626540 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Peer influence and selection effects on adolescent smoking
Go, M.-H., Green, H. D., Kennedy, D. P., Pollard, M., & Tucker, J. S. (2010) · Drug and Alcohol Dependence · doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.12.017 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Cowan, F. M., Langhaug, L. F., Mashungupa, G. P., Nyamurera, T., Hargrove, J. W., Jaffar, S. S., Peeling, R. W. W., Brown, D., Power, R. M., Johnson, A. M., et al. (2002) · AIDS · doi:10.1097/00002030-200208160-00013 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Kawai, K., Kaaya, S., Kajula, L. J., Mbwambo, J., Kilonzo, G. P., & Fawzi, W. W. (2008) · Scandinavian Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1177/1403494808094243 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Gender, peer and partner influences on adolescent HIV risk in rural South Africa
Harrison, A. D., Smit, J. A., Hoffman, S., Nzama, T., Leu, C., Mantell, J. E., STEIN, Z. A., & Exner, T. M. (2011) · Sexual Health · doi:10.1071/sh10150 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Oral and anal sex practices among high school youth in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Cherie, A., & Berhane, Y. (2012) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/1471-2458-12-5 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Gevers, A., Jewkes, R. K., Mathews, C., & Flisher, A. J. (2012) · Culture Health & Sexuality · doi:10.1080/13691058.2012.723752 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Abebe, M., Tsion, A., & Netsanet, F. (2013) · African Health Sciences · doi:10.4314/ahs.v13i2.42 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Adedimeji, A., Heard, N., Odutolu, O., & Omololu, F. (2009) · East African Journal of Public Health · doi:10.4314/eajph.v5i3.39006 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Prevalence of sexual intercourse among school-going adolescents in Coast Province, Kenya
Rudatsikira, E., Ogwell, A., Siziya, S., & Muula, A. S. (2008) · Tanzania journal of health research/Tanzania Journal of Health Research · doi:10.4314/thrb.v9i3.14322 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Orphan Status and Time to First Sex Among Adolescents in Northern Malawi
Mkandawire, P., Tenkorang, E. Y., & Luginaah, I. (2012) · AIDS and Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10461-011-0120-y · Cited by 33 · see citing works
The Influence of Older Classmates on Adolescent Sexual Behavior in Cape Town, South Africa
Lam, D., Marteleto, L. J., & Ranchhod, V. (2013) · Studies in Family Planning · doi:10.1111/j.1728-4465.2013.00350.x · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Psychosocial Processes and Sexual Initiation Among Ghanaian Youth
McQuestion, M. J., Ahiadeke, C., Posner, J. E., & Williams, T. P. (2011) · Health Education & Behavior · doi:10.1177/1090198111400309 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Kakoko, D. (2012) · Culture Health & Sexuality · doi:10.1080/13691058.2012.738829 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Barker G, 2007 Adolescents, Social Support and Help-seeking Behaviour: An International Literature Review and Programme Consultation with Recommendations for Action: An International Literature Review and Programme Consultation with Recommendations for Action, WHO Discussion Papers on Adolescence Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development, World Health Organization.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Determinants of adolescent pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review
Yakubu, I., & Salisu, W. J. (2018) · Reproductive Health · doi:10.1186/s12978-018-0460-4 · Cited by 593 · see citing works
Gender norms and health: insights from global survey data
Weber, A. M., Cislaghi, B., Meausoone, V., Abdalla, S. I. A., Mejía‐Guevara, I., Loftus, P. D., Hallgren, E., Seff, I., Stark, L., Victora, C. G., et al. (2019) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(19)30765-2 · Cited by 346 · see citing works
Muche, A. A., Kassa, G. M., Berhe, A. K., & Fekadu, G. A. (2017) · Reproductive Health · doi:10.1186/s12978-017-0376-4 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Adolescent pregnancy and social norms in Zambia
Svanemyr, J. (2019) · Culture Health & Sexuality · doi:10.1080/13691058.2019.1621379 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Kugbey, N., Ayanore, M. A., Amu, H., Asante, K. O., & Adam, A. (2018) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2018.06.013 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Kemigisha, E., Bruce, K. E., Nyakato, V. N., Ruzaaza, G. N., Ninsiima, A. B., Mlahagwa, W., Leye, E., Coene, G., & Michielsen, K. (2018) · Reproductive Health · doi:10.1186/s12978-018-0595-3 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
The protective role of family structure for adolescent development in sub-Saharan Africa
Somefun, O. D., & Odimegwu, C. O. (2018) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0206197 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Evidence on factors influencing contraceptive use and sexual behavior among women in South Africa
Hlongwa, M., Mashamba-Thompson, T. P., Makhunga, S., & Hlongwana, K. W. (2020) · Medicine · doi:10.1097/md.0000000000019490 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Amoah, E. J., Hinneh, T. K., & Aklie, R. (2023) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0286585 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Bergam, S. J., Sibaya, T., Ndlela, N., Kuzwayo, M., Fomo, M., Goldstein, M. H., Marconi, V. C., Haberer, J. E., Archary, M., & Zanoni, B. C. (2022) · Reproductive Health · doi:10.1186/s12978-022-01519-2 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Hunter, J., van Blerk, L., & Shand, W. (2020) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113285 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Rudgard, W. E., Saminathen, M. G., Orkin, M. M., Banougnin, B. H., Shenderovich, Y., & Toska, E. (2023) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-023-16373-5 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Ahn, J., & Yang, Y. (2022) · American Journal of Sexuality Education · doi:10.1080/15546128.2022.2118199 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Seidu, A., Ahinkorah, B. O., Ameyaw, E. K., Darteh, E. K. M., Budu, E., Iddrisu, H., & Nartey, E. B. (2019) · Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1007/s10389-019-01140-x · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Association of collective attitudes and contraceptive practice in nine sub-Saharan African countries
Mejía‐Guevara, I., Cislaghi, B., Weber, A. M., Hallgren, E., Meausoone, V., Cullen, M. R., & Darmstadt, G. L. (2020) · Journal of Global Health · doi:10.7189/jogh.10.010705 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Burns, R., Magalasi, D., Blasco, P., Szumilin, E., Pasquier, E., Schramm, B., & Wringe, A. (2020) · Journal of the International AIDS Society · doi:10.1002/jia2.25459 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Katz, A. W. K., Naidoo, K., Reddy, K., Chitukuta, M., Nabukeera, J., Siva, S. S., Zimba, C. C., & Montgomery, E. (2020) · AIDS and Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10461-020-02799-0 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Bhushan, N. L., Fisher, E. B., Maman, S., Speizer, I. S., Gottfredson, N. C., Phanga, T., Vansia, D., Pettifor, A. E., & Rosenberg, N. E. (2021) · Women & Health · doi:10.1080/03630242.2021.1917479 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Self-citationKaufman, M. R., Dam, K. H., Sharma, K., Lith, L. M. V., Hatzold, K., Marcell, A. V., Mavhu, W. M., Kahabuka, C., Mahlasela, L., Patel, E. U., et al. (2017) · Clinical Infectious Diseases · doi:10.1093/cid/cix1057 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Modeling Beliefs, Attitudes, and Intentions of Condom Use Among Secondary School Students in Kenya
Appiah, A. B., Tenkorang, E. Y., & Maticka‐Tyndale, E. (2017) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-017-0966-9 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Structural Network Position and Performance of Health Leaders Within an HIV Prevention Trial
Mulawa, M. I., Yamanis, T. J., Kajula, L. J., Balvanz, P., & Maman, S. (2018) · AIDS and Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10461-018-2126-1 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Norms and sexual relations among adolescents in the context of an intervention trial in rural Zambia
Svanemyr, J., Moland, K. M., Blystad, A., Zulu, J. M., & Sandøy, I. F. (2021) · Global Public Health · doi:10.1080/17441692.2021.1947343 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Aynalem, B. Y., Alemu, A. A., Zeleke, L. B., & Kassa, G. M. (2022) · Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care · doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1962_21 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Fearon, E., Wiggins, R. D., Pettifor, A. E., MacPhail, C. L., Kahn, K., Selin, A., Gómez-Olivé, F. X., Delany‐Moretlwe, S., Piwowar‐Manning, E., Laeyendecker, O. B., et al. (2017) · Journal of the International AIDS Society · doi:10.1002/jia2.25029 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Self-citationDescriptive Norms and eHealth Use Among Older Adults: A Cross-Country Comparative Study
Wu, Q. J., Ngien, A., & Jiang, S. (2023) · Health Communication · doi:10.1080/10410236.2023.2297120 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Whitton, A., Swahn, M. H., Culbreth, R. E., & Kasirye, R. (2022) · PEC Innovation · doi:10.1016/j.pecinn.2022.100090 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Elshiekh, H. F., de Vries, H., & Hoving, C. (2021) · SAHARA-J Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS · doi:10.1080/17290376.2021.2011390 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Gottfredson, N. C., Bhushan, N. L., Reyes, H. L. M., Pettifor, A. E., & Kahn, K. (2021) · AIDS and Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10461-021-03472-w · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Self-citationEvidence on factors influencing contraceptive use and sexual behavior in South Africa
Hlongwa, M., Mashamba-Thompson, T. P., & Hlongwana, K. W. (2018) · Medicine · doi:10.1097/md.0000000000013774 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Humphries, H., Osman, F., Knight, L., & Karim, Q. A. (2018) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0195107 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Fearon, E., Wiggins, R. D., Pettifor, A. E., MacPhail, C. L., Kahn, K., Selin, A., Gómez-Olivé, F. X., & Hargreaves, J. (2019) · AIDS and Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10461-019-02406-x · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Self-citationLoveday, L., Rivett, J., & Walters, R. (2021) · International Feminist Journal of Politics · doi:10.1080/14616742.2021.1996258 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Rwenge, J.-R. M., Djourdebbe, F. B., & Ekambi, E. E. (2021) · Journal of Biosocial Science · doi:10.1017/s0021932021000055 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Bedingar, E. K. N., Bedingar, N., Seli, D., & Sudfeld, C. R. (2024) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081759 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Wright, C. Y., Dominick, F., Kunene, Z., Kapwata, T., & Street, R. A. (2017) · South African Medical Journal · doi:10.7196/samj.2017.v107i10.12429 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Omanga, E., Inwani, I. W., Agot, K. E., Buttolph, J., Nduati, R. W., Macharia, P. M., Onyango, J., & Kurth, A. (2023) · Reproductive Health · doi:10.1186/s12978-023-01680-2 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Kamaruddin, K., Razalli, R., & Ariffin, A. (2018) · International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences · doi:10.6007/ijarbss/v8-i6/4513 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Inconsistent Reports of Sexual Intercourse by Adolescents in Edo State, Nigeria
Tenkorang, E. Y. (2020) · Sexuality Research and Social Policy · doi:10.1007/s13178-020-00455-9 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Psychosocial Determinants of Premarital Sexual Practices among University Students in Sudan
Elshiekh, H. F., Hoving, C., & de Vries, H. (2022) · Sexuality & Culture · doi:10.1007/s12119-022-10004-8 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Sexual and reproductive rights violations at sexual debut of male and female adolescents in Ghana
Morhe, R. A. S., Avle, T. D. A., & Morhe, E. K. S. (2019) · International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics · doi:10.1002/ijgo.13015 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Seff, I., & Stark, L. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-83707-5_9 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Factors Influencing Adolescents’ Sexually Risky Behaviors in Botswana
Malinga, T., & Modie-Moroka, T. (2020) · The International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Invention · doi:10.18535/ijsshi/v7i010.05 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Funding of community-based interventions for HIV prevention
Poku, N. K., & Bonnel, R. (2016) · African Journal of AIDS Research · doi:10.2989/16085906.2016.1194300 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Bahar, O. S., Sssewamala, F. M., Namuwonge, F., Abdella, M., Kizito, S., Namuli, F., Nabunya, P., & ICHAD Field Team (2024) · Journal of Adolescent Research · doi:10.1177/07435584241268476 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Gregson, S., Moorhouse, L. R., Maswera, R., Dadirai, T., Mandizvidza, P., Skovdal, M., & Nyamukapa, C. A. (2025) · Gates Open Research · doi:10.12688/gatesopenres.15127.2 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Humphries, H., Shozi, H., Tshawe, Z., Mdladla, M. N., Msomi, M., Chetty, D., Myeni, N., Harkoo, I., Karim, S. S. A., & Mahomed, S. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-22010-5 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Tucho, G. T., Workneh, N., Abera, M., & Abafita, J. (2022) · Contraception and Reproductive Medicine · doi:10.1186/s40834-022-00174-z · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Mashia, E. O. (2018) · UpSpace Institutional Repository (University of Pretoria)
Strategies to support positive sexual behaviour among adolescents attending high schools in Ethiopia
Desta, A. B. (2017) · Unisa Institutional Repository (University of South Africa)
Relationship Between Peer Popularity and Self-Esteem Among Young Pregnant Out of Wedlock
Shahruddin, N. J., Mansor, M. B., Madon, Z., & Hamsan, H. H. (2017) · Asian Social Work Journal · doi:10.47405/aswj.v2i1.10
Gumindega, G. C. (2017) · ResearchSpace (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Nxumalo-Mabuza, P. M. (2019) · ResearchSpace (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Community-Based Interventions and Behaviors of HIV+ Persons in Congo-Kinshasa
Ebengho-Bokelo, M., & Super-Eloko, J. (2021) · Modern Applied Science · doi:10.5539/mas.v15n5p27
Bergam, S. J., Sibaya, T., Ndlela, N., Kuzwayo, M., Fomo, M., Goldstein, M. H., Marconi, V. C., Haberer, J. E., Archary, M., & Zanoni, B. C. (2022) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1415813/v1
Determinan Perilaku Pemeriksaan HIV pada Wanita Penjaja Seks Langsung di Eks Lokalisasi
Sari, N. L. (2022) · Jurnal Kesehatan · doi:10.26630/jk.v13i1.2662
Hiv Prevention Among University Students In Sudan
Elshiekh, H. F. (2022) · doi:10.26481/dis.20221012he
Gregson, S., Moorhouse, L. R., Maswera, R., Dadirai, T., Mandizvidza, P., Skovdal, M., & Nyamukapa, C. A. (2024) · Gates Open Research · doi:10.12688/gatesopenres.15127.1 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Rudgard, W. E., Saminathen, M. G., Orkin, M. M., Banougnin, B. H., Shenderovich, Y., & Toska, E. (2023) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.23804892
Hartley, F., Trappler, J., Gill, K., Bekker, L., MacKenny, V., Knight, L., & Passmore, J.-A. S. (2026) · Culture Health & Sexuality · doi:10.1080/13691058.2026.2643675
- Authors
- Fearon, E., Wiggins, R. D., Pettifor, A. E., & Hargreaves, J. R.
- Affiliations
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
- University College London (GB)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
- Corresponding author
- Fearon, Elizabeth
- Venue
- Social Science & Medicine
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015-12
- Volume
- 146
- Pages
- 62-74
- ISSN
- 0277-9536 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC6691501
- OpenAlex
- W2188943733
- Cited by
- 60
- References
- 55
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 1.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Social Science & Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- LSHTM Research Online (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) (acceptedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Bloomsbury Colleges/London International Development Centre
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Health and Behaviors
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Keywords
- adolescent sexual behavior, peer influence, adolescents, sub-Saharan Africa, HIV, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, social networks
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Female, Humans, Male, Peer Group, Sexual Behavior, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, HIV Infections, Africa South of the Sahara, Young Adult, Social Norms
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
