Factors Associated with Preventive Reproductive Health Behavior in Female Adolescents: A New Evidence from Banjarmas In, Kalimantan, using Health Belief Model

Abstract

Background: Reproductive health has been recognized as an important health issue among adolescents in Indonesia. The adolescent population in Indonesia is vulnerable to reproductive health problems. Many adolescents had engaged in unhealthy sexual behavior that can result in unintended health outcomes. In theory, adolescent sexual behavior is influenced by a complex set of interactions between biology, genetics, individual perception, personality characteristics, and socio-cultural norms and values. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with preventive reproductive health behavior in female adolescents: a new evidence from Banjarmasin, Kalimantan, using Health Belief Model. Subjects and Method: This was a cross sectional study conducted at 10 senior high schools in Banjarmasin, Kalimantan. A total sample of 200 grade XI students was selected for this study by proportional stratified random sampling. The dependent variable was preventive reproductive health behavior. The independent variables were perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, perceived threat, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, self-efficacy, the role of parents, peer role, and information access. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by path analysis. Results: Preventive reproductive health behaviour increased with strong role of parents (b=0.05; SE= 0.01; p<0.001), perceived benefit (b=0.06; SE= 0.02; p= 0.006), perceived threat (b= 0.10; SE= 0.02; p<0.001), self-efficacy (b= 0.13; SE= 0.01; p<0.001), and peer role (b= 0.06; SE= 0.01; p<0.001), but decreased with perceived barrier (b=-0.03; SE= 0.01; p=0.026). Preventive reproductive health behaviour was indirectly affected by perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, self efficacy, access of information, strong role of parents, and strong peer role. Conclusion: Preventive reproductive health behavior increases with strong role of parents, perceived benefit, perceived threat, self-efficacy, and peer role, but decreases with perceived barrier. Preventive reproductive health behaviour is indirectly affected by perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, self-efficacy, access of information, strong role of parents, and strong peer role. Keywords: preventive behavior, reproductive health, health belief model