When the combobox is first displayed, does it already display the "first item"? If so, then the event is not triggering because by tapping on the *already* displayed first item, the combobox index does not actually change, and that's why the event doesn't get triggered.
Try making the first item in the combobox be "[make a selection]" and then fill it with your other items, which will actually then make your first item be the "second" item in the combobox. This will then force the user to change the combo from displaying "[make a selection]" to then select your first item, which will trigger the event.