Factors Associated with Sexual Relationship among High School Female Students in Nakhonratchasima Province

Abstract

Background: Teenage pregnancy is one of the serious health prohlems in Thailand, not only in the Bangkok Metropolitan area but also in the rural provinces. Inappropriate sexual relationship is the main cause for teenage pregnancy. Nakhonratchasima province is one of the big cities is the northeastern part of Thailand where inappropriate sexual behavior is expected to be high. Objectives: This study is aimed to find rate of inappropriate sexual and factors affecting sexual behavior of high school female student in Nakhonratchasima province. Material and Method: Design was descriptive research. Data was collected by using self-administered questionnaires during the 15th' June and 31st July, 2009. Three hundred and two high school female students in Nakhonratchasima Province were recruited. The statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Fisher's Exact Test and Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis. Results: This study found that 56.6% of adolescents have had a sexual relationship. The mean age of first sexual relationship was 15.3 years old. Most of the partners of first sexual relationships were lovers (73.1%). The main reason for having their sexual relationship was love (67.8%). Fifty adolescents (16.6%) had coitus. The mean age of first coitus was 15.8 years old. Most of the partners of first coitus were lovers (98.0%). The main reasons for coitus were love (52.0%) and to have an experience (40.0%). Significant factors significantly associated with coitus were age, sexual behavior of close friends, attitude towards sex, sexual knowledge, self-confidence, sexy dressing outside the home. 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. However, there were some factor indicating that 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.