Predictors of Syphilis Infection Preventive Behaviors of Male Youths in Thailand’s Lower Southern Region Juvenile Observation and Protection Center

Abstract

This predictive correlational research aimed to study the factors predicting syphilis infection preventive behavior, including health literacy, and social support, among male  youths in Thailand’s lower southern juvenile observation and protection center. The samples consisted of 130 male  youths at juvenile observation and protection center. Data were collected from November 2022 to March 2023. The research instrument was composed of the recording form of personal information, health literacy, social support, and a questionnaire on syphilis  prevention behavior in youths. Reliability by the Alpha coefficient formula of  Cronbach obtained reliability of 0.81, 0.72, and 0.72 rspectively. Data were analyzed by percentage standard deviation and multiple regression. The research results revealed that health literacy and social support can predict syphilis infection preventive behavior among the male d youths in Thailand’s lower southern juvenile observation and protection center, which were statistically significant and accounted for 24.4% (β =.382, .182  P < .05, respectively). The most significant predicting factor is health literacy, followed by social support, but substance use behaviors cannot predict syphilis infection preventive behavior (β = -.113 p.151). The research results can be used as guidelines for planning the promotion of skills in health literacy and design teaching in the observation center to cover of social support.