Early sexual debuting exposes adolescents to reproductive health problems such as unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and HIV and AIDS hence is a public health concern. This study utilized a cross sectional, analytic design to determine the predominant values and sexual debut among adolescents in selected schools in Zamboanga City. A self-administered questionnaire of 21 items measured on 6-point Likert scale was used to determine the predominant values of adolescents and additional questions for sexual debut were included. Out of the three hundred high school students were included in the study, 32 (10.7%) had sexual debut with more males (79.1%) than females (21.9%). Among adolescents with sexual debut, 30 (93.8%) were considered early while 2 (6.3%) were considered late. The median age of initiation in the study was lower for both sexes at 16 years compared to the national estimate of 17.8 years and 18 years for males and females respectively. Six percent of adolescents reported having been forced to have sex and more common among males. Significant difference in values self-knowledge, respect/ concern for others/ empathy, positive attitudes towards sexuality, responsibility, and independence were noted among males and females. Adolescents who had sexual initiation significantly differed from adolescents who had not initiated sex in terms of self-knowledge/ self-respect, positive attitudes towards sexuality, responsibility, and independence. The study indicated that adolescents engaged in sexual activity at an earlier age. Positive attitudes towards sexuality were more prominent in adolescents who engaged in sex and hence values such as self-knowledge/ self-respect, responsibility, and independence may be emphasized more in the values education.

Keyword: Values among adolescents Earl sexual debut versus late sexual devut