HUBUNGAN TINGKAT PENGETAHUAN TENTANG PENYAKIT INFEKSI MENULAR SEKSUAL DENGAN PERILAKU SEKS BEBAS PADA REMAJA DI KABUPATEN HALMAHERA UTARA

Abstract

This study aims to determine the level of knowledge about sexually transmitted infections with free sex behavior in adolescents in North Halmahera Regency by using a quantitative correlation method through a cross sectional approach to 396 respondents aged 12 to 21 years. The sampling technique used was simple random sampling method and data collection used a questionnaire that had been tested for validity and reliability. Based on the Spearman Rho test, there was no relationship between the level of knowledge about sexually transmitted infections and free sex behavior among adolescents in North Halmahera Regency (p = 0.954), with a description of the level of knowledge of adolescents in the category of "lack of knowledge" (49.8%), and adolescent free sex behavior in the "very high" category of sex behavior (35.1%). The possibility of the lack of knowledge and high free sex behavior among adolescents in North Halmahera Regency is caused by other factors, such as electronic media, friend of the same age, the environment, and the role of parents.