Factors associated with risky sexual behaviors among undergraduate students in Thailand.
Risky sexual behaviors
Sexual health literacy
Undergraduate students
Journal
BMC public health
ISSN: 1471-2458
Titre abrégé: BMC Public Health
Pays: England
ID NLM: 100968562
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
25 Oct 2024
25 Oct 2024
Historique:
received:
25
06
2024
accepted:
16
10
2024
medline:
26
10
2024
pubmed:
26
10
2024
entrez:
25
10
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Risky sexual behaviors refer to actions or practices that increase the likelihood engaging in sexual intercourse. Such behavior can lead to HIV infection/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancy. The impact of risky sexual behaviors is a growing public health concern. These issues pose significant challenges to public health, particularly among university students and younger age groups who may be more vulnerable to various factors. Thus, this research aimed to examine the factors and sexual health literacy associated with risky sexual behaviors among undergraduate students in the four major regions of Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 916 undergraduate students in their final semester of the 2023 academic year, from March to May 2024, at public, autonomous, and private universities across four regions: northern, central, southern, and northeastern of Thailand. The study employed multistage random sampling method. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to assess risky sexual behaviors and the data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. A total of 916 students participated in the study. The prevalence of risky sexual behavior was 46.84% (95% CI:43.56% to 50.12%) students engaged in risky sexual behaviors. Risky sexual behavior was significantly associated with grade point averages (GPA) between 2.00-3.00 could protective risky sexual behaviors was 42% as compared to GPA > 3.00 (AOR = 0.58, 95%CI:0.42 to 0.79), ex-substance use (AOR = 3.48, 95%CI:1.46 to 8.26), Current smoker (AOR = 2.90, 95%CI:1.90 to 4.43), negative attitudes toward risky sexual behaviors (AOR = 2.32, 95%CI:1.32 to 4.06), access to places of ill repute and access to sexual arousal stimuli (sometime) (AOR = 2.23, 95%CI:1.41 to 3.52), social influences (high level) (AOR = 0.29, 95%CI:0.15 to 0.55), and sufficient to excellent level of the application of information about sexual health (AOR = 0.48, 95%CI:0.26 to 0.87) of statistical significance at P < 0.05, which was significantly associated with risky sexual behavior. The findings of this study offer important insights for preventing risky sexual behaviors among undergraduate students across four regions. By promoting healthy sexual practices and encouraging behavior modification, negative consequences can be reduced. Public health care providers, policymakers, and stakeholders should implement tailored strategies, such as comprehensive sexual education and accessible health services, to address the specific needs of these students. These targeted interventions can significantly reduce the prevalence of risky sexual behaviors.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Risky sexual behaviors refer to actions or practices that increase the likelihood engaging in sexual intercourse. Such behavior can lead to HIV infection/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancy. The impact of risky sexual behaviors is a growing public health concern. These issues pose significant challenges to public health, particularly among university students and younger age groups who may be more vulnerable to various factors. Thus, this research aimed to examine the factors and sexual health literacy associated with risky sexual behaviors among undergraduate students in the four major regions of Thailand.
METHOD
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 916 undergraduate students in their final semester of the 2023 academic year, from March to May 2024, at public, autonomous, and private universities across four regions: northern, central, southern, and northeastern of Thailand. The study employed multistage random sampling method. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to assess risky sexual behaviors and the data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.
RESULTS
RESULTS
A total of 916 students participated in the study. The prevalence of risky sexual behavior was 46.84% (95% CI:43.56% to 50.12%) students engaged in risky sexual behaviors. Risky sexual behavior was significantly associated with grade point averages (GPA) between 2.00-3.00 could protective risky sexual behaviors was 42% as compared to GPA > 3.00 (AOR = 0.58, 95%CI:0.42 to 0.79), ex-substance use (AOR = 3.48, 95%CI:1.46 to 8.26), Current smoker (AOR = 2.90, 95%CI:1.90 to 4.43), negative attitudes toward risky sexual behaviors (AOR = 2.32, 95%CI:1.32 to 4.06), access to places of ill repute and access to sexual arousal stimuli (sometime) (AOR = 2.23, 95%CI:1.41 to 3.52), social influences (high level) (AOR = 0.29, 95%CI:0.15 to 0.55), and sufficient to excellent level of the application of information about sexual health (AOR = 0.48, 95%CI:0.26 to 0.87) of statistical significance at P < 0.05, which was significantly associated with risky sexual behavior.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study offer important insights for preventing risky sexual behaviors among undergraduate students across four regions. By promoting healthy sexual practices and encouraging behavior modification, negative consequences can be reduced. Public health care providers, policymakers, and stakeholders should implement tailored strategies, such as comprehensive sexual education and accessible health services, to address the specific needs of these students. These targeted interventions can significantly reduce the prevalence of risky sexual behaviors.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39455991
doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20429-5
pii: 10.1186/s12889-024-20429-5
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
2967Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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