The Cape Town Teenage Clinic.

Over a 6-month period 265 white females aged under 24 years attending the Teenage Clinic of the Western Cape Region of the Family Planning Association were interviewed at their first visit; 81% were sexually active. The age of menarche and the parents' marital status were important parameters of socio-sexual behaviour. The earlier the menarche, the higher the prevalence of coitus at a younger age, and the shorter the interval between menarche and the first coitus. Young age at first coitus, in turn, was associated with a higher prevalence of multiple sexual partners and smoking, and a longer period of unprotected intercourse before attending the clinic than among those who first attempted intercourse at a later age. Of those who had first experienced coitus at under 17 years, 37% came from single-parent families, compared with 12% of those in whom coitus was delayed until over 19 years of age. The important health and educational implications are discussed.