David Lam|Letícia J. Marteleto|Vimal Ranchhod
The Influence of Older Classmates on Adolescent Sexual Behavior in Cape Town, South Africa
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|University of Cape Town
study examines influence exposure older withingrade peers sexual behavior among students urban south africa data drawn cape area panel study longitudinal survey young people conducted metropolitan cape town 2002 2006 combination early sexual debut high rates school enrollment late teens grade repetition create environment young people progress school ahead many cohort interact classmates may several years older construct measure cumulative exposure classmates least two years older show exposure statistically significantly associated early sexual initiation among adolescent girls exposure also increases age difference girls first sexual partner helps explain significant proportion earlier sexual debut african girls compared colored white girls cape town