Unsafe Sex and Drug Use in Juvenile Detainees in the Northern Thailand

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether drug use was associated with participation in unprotected intercourse and to explore the factors that influenced drug use and sexual behaviors among juvenile detainees in Thailand. The study used qualitative and quantitative approaches to identify factors that affected sex and drug-use behaviors of 96 juvenile detainees in detention facility in Northern Thailand. There was a significant association between sexual intercourse and using amphetamines (χ2 = 14.8, p-value <0.001), and using marijuana (χ2 = 8.9, p-value <0.001). Parents should be a friend and a counselor to their children regarding drugs use and sexuality issues. Interventions directed at peer norms are needed. Eradication of drug-sellers might help creating safer environments for adolescences. Sex media such as VCD and magazines should be more strictly controlled.