Nonglak Pongyuen. Sexual experiences among in-school female adolescents in amphoe Muang Chiang Mai province . Master's Degree(Maternal and Newborn Nursing). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2004.
Sexual experiences among in-school female adolescents in amphoe Muang Chiang Mai province
Abstract:
This study uses descriptive exploratory qualitative research methods to study the sexual experiences of in-school female adolescents. Data were collected by in-depth interviews and observations. The sample comprised 20 sexually active 15-18 year-old female adolescents attending school in Amphoe Maung, Chiang Mai Province. Data were analyzed using content analysis. This study found that most female adolescents studied came from families which were not close-knit and which offered little parental monitoring or support. Their mean age at first sex was 16.75. They perceived that sexual activity is common among their peers. Although, intimacy was the main reason for sexual relationships, a few girls revealed that the desire for material or financial gain was the primary motivation for sexual relationships. The majority of girls had been exposed to risky sexual practices, including failing to protect against unwanted pregnancies and STDs. Although, they had some knowledge of STDs and contraceptive measures, in particular oral contraceptives and condoms, their knowledge was very superficial.
They did not acknowledge the potential health risks of intercourse with regular and known partners. The study also found that 10% of participants had been pregnant and that all of these pregnancies had ended in abortion. Most induced abortions were self-induced. If an abortion was not successful, the girls would usually go to an abortion clinic and were unlikely to seek treatment from health care services because of slow service, negative provider attitudes toward young people and a perceived lack of confidentiality. The findings from this study suggest that nurses serve an important role in identifying adolescents in need of adolescent- and youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services; counselling on sexuality, pregnancy, post-abortion issues and family planning; and sex education programmes that are age-appropriate and sensitively imparted.