SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIORS AMONG EARLY ADOLESCENTS CURRENTLY STUDYING AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THAILAND
Keywords:
Early adolescent, sexual risk behavior, primary schools, factors influencingAbstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate sexual risk behaviors and identify factors influencing sexual risk behaviors among early adolescents studying at primary schools in Thailand.This cross-sectional analytical research study used 3-stage cluster sampling and included 193 males and 230 females aged 10-12 years old. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The data analysis used descriptive and inferential statistics. The factors influencing sexual risk behaviors were analyzed using chi-square, binary logistic regression, and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI, AOR). The results revealed the mean age of the early adolescents was 11.03 (SD = 2.97) years, 86.3% were living with parents, and 71.6%of their parental statuses were married. A total of 71.2%, with more girls than boys (45.4 versus 25.8%) as participants, had a low level of sexual risk behavior. Variables which could significantly influence sexual risk behaviors include gender, usage of internet, communication with a girlfriend/boyfriend, attitude, and perceived behavioral control. These findings could bring more understanding to early adolescents as they develop into adulthood. They are also useful for parents, administrators of schools and local organizations, public health personnel, and related organizations or groups to develop appropriate preventive strategies and solutions to alleviate sexual risk behaviors.
References
Ajzen, I. (2002). Perceived behavioral control, self-efficacy, locus of control, and the theory of planned behavior. J. Appl. Soc. Psychol., 32:665-83.
Armitage, C.J. and Talibudeen, L. (2010). Test of a brief theory of planned behavior-based intervention to promote adolescent safe sex intentions. British J. Psyc., 101(1):155-172.
Buhi, E.R. and Goodson, P. (2007). Predictors of adolescent sexual behavior and intention: a theory-guided systematic review. J. Adolescent Health, 40(1):4-21.
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Sexual Risk Behavior: HIV, STD, and Teen Pregnancy Prevention. Adolescent and School Health, Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/sexualbehaviors/index.htm. Accessed date: July 12, 2014.
Chang, Y.T., Hayter, M., and Lin, M.L. (2014). Chinese adolescents' attitudes toward sexual relationships and premarital sex: implications for promoting sexual health. J. Sch. Nurs., 30(6):420-429.
Chi, X., Yu, L., and Winter, S. (2012). Prevalence and correlates of sexual behaviors among university students: a study in Hefei, China. BMC Public Health, 12:972-972.
Collins, W.A., Welsh, D.P., and Furman, W. (2008). Adolescent romantic relationships. Annu. Rev. Psychol., 60(1):631-652.
Doyle, A.M., Mavedzenge, S.N., Plummer, M.L., and Ross, D.A. (2012). The sexual behaviour of adolescents in sub-Saharan Afric: patterns and trends from national surveys. Trop. Med. Int. Health, 17:796-807.
Guo, R., McAleese, W., Appleby, K., Guo, J., Zhang, W., Huang, Y., and Peterson, T. (2014). Predictors of intention to use condoms among Chinese college students. J. Comm. Health, 39(4):712-718.
Kalolo, A. and Kibusi, S.M. (2015). The influence of perceived behaviour control, attitude and empowerment on reported condom use and intention to use condoms among adolescents in rural Tanzania. Reprod. Health, 12:105.
Martin, M.J., Martinez, J.M., and Rojas, D. (2011). Theory of planned behavior and risky sexual behavior in homosexual men. Rev. Panam. Salud Publ., 29(6):433-443.
Nagamatsu, M., Yamawaki, N., Sato, T., Nakagawa, A., and Saito, M. (2013). Factors influencing attitudes toward sexual activity among early adolescents in Japan. J. Early Adolescence, 33(2):267-288.
Puente, D., Zabaleta, E., Rodríguez-Blanco, T., Cabanas, M., Monteagudo, M., Pueyo, M.J., and Bolíbar, B. (2011). Gender differences in sexual risk behaviour among adolescents in Catalonia, Spain. Gac. Sanit., 25(1):13-19.
Santrock, J.W. (2008). Life-Span Development. 11th ed. McGraw-Hill College, New York, USA, 832p.
Shiferaw, Y., Alemu, A., Assefa, A., Tesfaye, B., Gibermedhin, E., and Amare, M. (2014). Perception of risk of HIV and sexual risk behaviors among university students: implication for planning interventions. BMC Research Notes, 7:162-162.
Strasburger, V.C., Jordan, A.B., and Donnerstein, E. (2010). Health effects of media on children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 125(4):756-767.
Sychareun, V., Thomsen, S., Chaleunvong, K., and Faxelid, E. (2013). Risk perceptions of STIs/HIV and sexual risk behaviours among sexually experienced adolescents in the Northern part of Lao PDR. BMC Public Health, 13(1):1-13.
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. (2014). HIV and AIDS Estimates (2014). UNAIDS, Geneva, Switzerland.
Thongnopakun, S., Maharachpong, N., and Abdullakasim, P. (2016). Factors related to the sexual behaviors among youth in universities located in the Eastern Region of Thailand. J. Med. Assoc. Thailand, 99(1):S43-50.
Tipwareerom, W. (2010). Risky sexual behavior prevention program among adolescent boys, [PhD thesis]. School of Public Health, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, 301p.
Turchik, J.A. and Gidycz, C.A. (2012). Prediction of sexual risk behaviors in college students using the theory of planned behavior: a prospective analysis. J. Soc. Clin. Psychol., 31(1):1-27.
Wang, R.H., Hsu, H.Y., Lin, S.Y., Cheng, C.P., and Lee, S.L. (2010). Risk behaviours among early adolescents: risk and protective factors. J. Adv. Nurs., 66(2):313-323.
Wayne, W.D. (1995). Biostatistics: A Foundation of Analysis in the Health Sciences. 6th ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, USA, 800p.
World Health Organization. (2014). Adolescent development. Available from http://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/topics/adolescence/dev/en/.
World Health Organization. (2016). Adolescent pregnancy. Available from: http://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/topics/maternal/adolescent_pregnancy/en/. Accessed date: May 13, 2016.
