Sexual risk behaviour among in-school adolescents in Central America
Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
17450128
eISSN
17450136
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85197655700
Journal Title
Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies (2024)
Suggested Citation
Pengpid S., Peltzer K., Lima M.E.S. Sexual risk behaviour among in-school adolescents in Central America. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies (2024). doi:10.1080/17450128.2024.2366262 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/99637
Title
Sexual risk behaviour among in-school adolescents in Central America
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Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
The purpose of the study was to assess sexual risk behaviours among young people in Central America. Secondary data were analysed from 15,807 school adolescents (mean age = 14.4 years) who were part of the most recent cross-sectional Global School Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) in six Central American countries. Results show that almost a quarter (24.3%) of participants had sexual initiation, with 19.7% in Guatemala and 40.9% in Panama. Among those students who had sexual initiation, 51.7% had it early (≤14 years), 27.7% had non-condom use, 45.1% had non-birth control use and 41.5% had multiple sexual partners. Older age (≥15 years), male sex, psychological distress, suicide attempt, bullying victimization, school truancy, in physical fight, history of alcohol intoxication, trouble from alcohol use, no physical education, physical injury, soft drink intake and low parental support were associated with sexual risk behaviours. One in four adolescents in the Central America had sexual risk behaviours, calling for interventions.