Shamsudeen Yau, Yau Adamu, Pramote Wongsawat and Archin Songthap
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with contraceptive use among school-going adolescents.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with contraceptive use among school-going adolescents.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional study was conducted among vocational school students in Phitsanulok, Northern Thailand. The study employed a multistage random sampling technique to select 391 students from three schools that were purposively selected.
Findings
The prevalence of contraceptive use during the most recent sexual intercourse was 75.8%. The condom was the most commonly used contraceptive method, followed by emergency pills and the rhythm/calendar method. Being male, in the second academic year, sexual communication with parents, sex with a casual partner or sex worker and contraceptive use at sexual initiation were significant risk factors for contraceptive use (p < 0.05). The preventive factors were subdistrict municipality area residency, extended family, medium or high income and partners who drank (p < 0.05).
Originality/value
The authors found a high prevalence of contraceptive use among school-going adolescents. Maintaining and improving this trend would require a concerted effort from all stakeholders to promote early sexuality communication and ensure access and use of contraceptive services.
Details
Keywords
Paranee Ninkron, Shamsudeen Yau, Praphan Khuntiterakul and Benchamaphorn Nakamadee
The spread of drug use has been consistently increasing in Asia, posing a serious public health problem, especially among new addicts. In Thailand, the problem has persisted for…
Abstract
Purpose
The spread of drug use has been consistently increasing in Asia, posing a serious public health problem, especially among new addicts. In Thailand, the problem has persisted for decades leading to a consistent decline in the age of drug use initiation, making drug use an important social problem, especially among youngsters. This study aimed to examine the factors related to substance abuse risk behaviors among lower secondary school students.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire to collect the data from a sample of 624 students aged 12 through 18 years. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression to identify factors related to substance use risk behaviors.
Findings
Factors associated with drug use risk behavior were access to drugs (0.882; <0.001), which had the highest predictive power, family relationships (−0.555; <0.001), self-esteem (−0.516; <0.001) and awareness about drugs (−0.412; <0.005).
Originality/value
Prevention interventions that incorporate reducing access to drugs, strengthening family ties, boosting adolescents' self-esteem and increasing their awareness about drugs should be tailored to target homes, schools and communities. As the problem appears to be multidimensional, the full participation of all relevant stakeholders such as teachers, parents, religious and community leaders in the intervention programs is as essential as the interventions themselves.