Engaging in sexual intercourse in early adolescence was associated with increased risk of suicide attempt. Moreover, having had multiple sexual partners may increase the risk of suicide attempts.

Having had multiple sexual partners was associated with increased odds of suicide attempts.

A positive association between sexual intercourse and suicide attempts was found in 32 of the 38 countries.

The prevalence of sexual intercourse and suicide attempts in adolescence were 13.2% and 9.1%, respectively.

We investigated the cross-sectional relationship between sexual behavior and suicide attempts in adolescents in 38 countries across four WHO regions using data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey 2009–2016.

Abstract

Background The aim was to investigate the relationship between sexual behaviors and suicide attempts by using data from 38 countries from four World Health Organization regions.

Methods Cross-sectional data from 116,820 adolescents aged 12–15 years participating in the Global School-based Student Health Survey 2009–2016 were analyzed. Data on sexual behaviors were collected: (i) ever having had intercourse; among those who reported having had intercourse, (ii) multiple (≥2) lifetime sexual partners and (iii) condom use in last sexual intercourse and past 12-month suicide attempts were self-reported. Associations were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.

Results The prevalence of sexual intercourse and suicide attempts were 13.2% and 9.1%, respectively. A positive association between sexual intercourse and suicide attempts was found in 32 of the 38 countries (pooled OR for whole sample 2.12 [95% CI 1.98–2.27]). Having had multiple sexual partners was associated with increased odds of suicide attempts (pooled OR for whole sample 1.58 [1.27–1.96]). Condom non-use was only associated with suicide attempts among boys in the Americas (OR: 1.75 [1.25–2.45]).