Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early sexual debut among young women in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), represents a complex and multifaceted issue that carries significant implications for a range of factors including individual health and social dynamics. AIM: This research seeks to illuminate the factors influencing early sexual debut among young women in Kinshasa. METHOD: The analysis involved 1,352 young women using a chi-square test at p < 0.05 and 95% CI for categorical variables. A mixed-effects multilevel binary logistic regression identified determinants of early sexual debut, showing adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and related factors, with 95% CI. RESULT: The prevalence of early sexual debut among respondents aged 15-24 years was 16.3% with an average current age of 16.6 years. Being aged 20-24 years [AOR = 1.40, CI;1-1.97], cohabiting with a partner [AOR = 0.46, CI;0.31-0.69] or being married [AOR = 0.43, CI; 0.25-0.76], tertiary education [AOR = 7.91, CI; 3.11-20.08], high wealth index [AOR = 1.78, CI; 1.18-2.2], were significantly associated with early sexual debut. The analysis showed minimal differences across clusters, suggesting that individual factors predominantly shape attitudes towards sexual debut, while community-level attributes play a lesser role in predicting these attitudes. CONCLUSION: The analysis showed minimal differences across clusters, suggesting that individual factors predominantly shape attitudes towards sexual debut, while community-level attributes play a lesser role in predicting these attitudes. Furthermore, reinforcing the legal marriage and providing resources to support single and cohabiting women in delaying sexual commitments can significantly mitigate early initiation.