Factors affecting premarital sexual intercourse among unmarried young people in Cambodia

Abstract

This study aims to identify specific characteristics which have strong relationships with premarital sexual intercourse among unmarried young people in Cambodia. The study employed a secondary data of 2014 Cambodian Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS). The sample in this study was 4,972 unmarried young people aged between 15 to 24 years old. The findings illustrate that the proportion of unmarried young people who engaged in premarital sex is found to be 4.02%. Results from binary logistic regression indicated various factors which had statistically significant associations with premarital sexual intercourse among unmarried young people are age, sex, place of residence, staying away experience from 2 to 7 days, staying away experience of more than one week, smoking behavior and knowledge on HIV/AIDS prevention. The study findings suggest to organise the appropriate reproductive health programs and prevention which are responsive to target group of young people who engaged in premarital sexual intercourse. Moreover, comprehensive reproductive health education should be disseminated in order to increase awareness of risky sexual behavior and make young people have informed decision on their sexual practices.