Abstract
The study aimed to explore knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of premarital sex and its associated factors among bedsit-living students. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Hue city, Vietnam in 2015. Multi-stage cluster sampling was used to recruit students. Data were collected by using a self-administered questionnaire at participant’s room. A total of 730 students (men/women: 44.2%/55.8%, mean age: 20.9 years) were enrolled. Prevalence of premarital sex was 11.9% with an average age of first sexual intercourse at 19.8 ± 2.2 years. For premarital sex, 13.3 to 19.5% students did not have enough knowledge of reproductive health and safe sex, 34.1% agreed on different situations. Male students accepted premarital sex more than female students did (45.8% vs. 24.8%, p < 0.001, ï£2). Gender, age group, marital status, knowledge of consequences of premarital sex and knowledge of STDs prevention were associated with attitude and practice of premarital sex (p < 0.05, ï£2). The prevalence of premarital sex was comparable with recent domestic and regional data, yet implied an increased trend. Up to one-fifth of students were not equipped with enough knowledge of safe sex, therefore, reproductive and sexual health education for bedsit-living students should be reinforced. Key words: Premarital sex, knowledge, attitude, behavior, students.  
Highlights
As most acts of premarital sex are unprotected, sexually active youth are at high risk of exposing to the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), unintended pregnancy and resultant unsafe abortion (Azmawati et al, 2017; Shu et al, 2016; Xu et al, 2019; Yip et al, 2013)
Participants of the age group of 21 to 30 years had higher rate of knowing consequences of premarital sex, accepting premarital sex and practicing premarital sex than those in the age group of 18 to 20 years (89.8% vs. 83.2%, 35.7% vs. 32.4% and 16.4% accepted premarital sex more than female students did (45.8% vs. 24.8%, p < 0.001, 2)
This study addressed a specific subpopulation of students living in rented accommodation who were generally considered more susceptible to unsafe sex
Summary
The incidence of premarital sexual activity among youth has been dramatically increased due to the widening gap between age at menarche and age at marriage (Gibbs et al, 2014; Motamedi et al, 2016; Shu et al, 2016; Yip et al, 2013). As most acts of premarital sex are unprotected, sexually active youth are at high risk of exposing to the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), unintended pregnancy and resultant unsafe abortion (Azmawati et al, 2017; Shu et al, 2016; Xu et al, 2019; Yip et al, 2013). A nationally representative sample of youth aged 22 to 24 years using a selfadministered questionnaire found that 33% of men and 4% of women in urban and 26% of men and 3% of women in rural areas admitted premarital sex (Ghuman et al 2006)
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