Factors affecting sexual behavior of adolescents in dormitory at Phitsanulok Province

Abstract

The objective of this cross-sectional analytical study was to identify the effects of personal

characteristics, sexual risk behavior; knowledge about sex, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases; and sexual value factors on sexual behavior of adolescents in Phitsanulok dormitory. A total of 475 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years were selected and interviewed in the period of November to December 2013. Findings from descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis indicated that, Nearly 60% of the samples were female. 55% had sexual experiences by minimum age 12 years. Average number of partners was 3. Before having sex, 46% drank alcohol, 68% went to the pubs/bars, and 77% watched pornographic pictures. Level of knowledge about sex, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases; and sexual values was moderate ( X = 3.56). Factors that affect the sexual behavior were; age, education level at high vocational certificate, having a fan/lovers at present, or having a fan/lovers in the past, but not in the current period, being alone with lovers/friends with different sex, drinking alcohol, watching pornographic pictures;

knowledge about sex, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases; and sexual values (significant level =

0.05). Sexual intercourse was more likely to be influenced by age (OR = 1.4), education level at high vocational

certificate (OR = 14), having a fan/lovers at present (OR = 11), having a fan/lovers in the past, but not in the

current period (OR = 5.7), being alone with lovers/friends with different sex (OR = 5.7), drinking alcohol (OR =

2.8 ), watching pornographic pictures (OR = 2.6); knowledge about sex, contraception, and sexually transmitted

diseases (OR = 1.2), whereas having good sexual values was more likely to decrease chances of sexual intercourse (OR = 0.9).