Validation of a Sexual Health Literacy Scale for Secondary School Students in High-Risk Area of Thailand
Issued Date
2026-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
2697584X
eISSN
26975866
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105037906896
Journal Title
Thai Journal of Public Health
Volume
56
Issue
1
Start Page
1713
End Page
1729
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Thai Journal of Public Health Vol.56 No.1 (2026) , 1713-1729
Suggested Citation
Zaw K., Phuwasuwan N., Kittipichai W. Validation of a Sexual Health Literacy Scale for Secondary School Students in High-Risk Area of Thailand. Thai Journal of Public Health Vol.56 No.1 (2026) , 1713-1729. 1729. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/116719
Title
Validation of a Sexual Health Literacy Scale for Secondary School Students in High-Risk Area of Thailand
Author(s)
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Adolescents need strong sexual health literacy to make decisions that help avoid unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. This study validated the Sexual Health Literacy Scale for Secondary School Students (SHLSS) in high-risk area of Thailand, using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Secondary data from a 2018 cross-sectional survey involving 319 secondary school students in Chonburi Province, Thailand, were used. The SHLSS consists of 28 items across four dimensions: Access, Understand, Appraise, and Apply. CFA results demonstrated strong reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.90, and satisfactory construct validity, as composite reliability values ranged from 0.88 to 0.91. Factor loadings varied between 0.43 and 0.81, indicating moderate to strong correlations. However, the Access dimension exhibited lower convergent validity (AVE = 0.28), suggesting need for refinement. These findings highlight need for further validation across diverse cultural groups and support the SHLSS as a promising framework for guiding sexual health education and policy development for adolescents.