Sexual Activity Scale: a measure to predict the early onset of sexual intercourse

This study evaluated the usefulness of the “Sexual Activity Scale” (SAS; Vargas & Barrera, 2002) to predict the early onset of penetrative sex. A total of 591 adolescents (260 women, 331 men) responded to the five items of the scale in five independent studies in Bogotá, Colombia. The factor analysis confirmed two factors: one of conventional expressions of affection and another that includes pre-penetrative and coital practices. The logistic regression analysis revealed that from the age and the score in the first four items of the EAS it is possible to correctly classify 80.3% of those adolescents who acknowledged having had sexual intercourse. The instrument is useful for health personnel and teachers in order to identify when teens are interested in receiving information about self-care practices and willing to seek guidance for making decisions about sexual activity.