Sineenart Sanrung. Factors associated with sexual relationship among high school female students in Nakhonratchasima province. Master's Degree(Human Reproduction and Population Planning). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2009.
Factors associated with sexual relationship among high school female students in Nakhonratchasima province
Abstract:
Nowadays in Thai society, female adolescents tend to express their sexuality
rather freely, especially in premarital sexual relationships. More female adolescents
cohabit than in the past, and this has brought about problems caused by sexual
relationships. More problems have occurred from sexual activities i.e. unplanned
pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
This cross-sectional study had the objective of studying factors associated with
sexual relationships among adolescents. Three hundred and two high school female
students in Nakhonratchasima Province were recruited. Self-administered questionnaires
were used to collect data from these students between the 15th of June and 31st of July,
2009. The statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Pearsons
correlation coefficient and Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis.
The results showed that 56.6% of adolescents have had a sexual relationship.
The mean age of first sexual relationship was 15.3 years old. Partners of first sexual
relationships were their lovers (73.1%) and boyfriends (15.8%). The main reason for
having their sexual relationship was love (67.8%). Significant factors associated with
sexual relationships were a source of sexual information from a lover, fashionable dress,
being a youngest child, sexual knowledge, monthly allowance, sexual behavior of close
friends and using the internet as a source of information and chatting.
Sixteen point six percent of adolescents have had coitus. The mean age of first
coitus was 15.8 years old. Partners for first coitus were their lover (98.0%). The main
reasons were for love (52.0%) and to try for themselves (40.0%). Significant factors
associated with coitus were the sexual behavior of close friends, attitude towards sex,
sexual knowledge, level of self-confidence, sexy dressing outside the home and older age.
In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that it is rather difficult to
prevent sexual relationships among adolescents, which are a result of socio-economic and
educational problems. Therefore, to prevent sexual relationships among adolescents
there should be collaboration between family, schools, government and non-government
organizations to prevent sexual relationships among adolescents and protect them from
the adverse consequences of a sexual relationship, which are pregnancy and sexually
transmitted infections