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Abstract
Background: Globally, adolescent sexual behavior is a major health concern and the focus of many researches. However, negative attitude towards premarital sex and sense of community belonging have not been examined in relation to adolescent sexual behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine whether these two factors are associated with adolescent sexual behavior. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1672 eleventh grade students from three public high schools in Hanoi, Vietnam. Participants’ sense of community belonging and negative attitude towards premarital sex were assessed through a self-administered questionnaire. We performed multiple logistic regression analyses to examine associations between the cognitive social capital concepts, such as a sense of community belonging. Results: 92.3% of students agreed with a sense of community belonging, but only 14.1% of students accepted premarital sex. A high sense of community belonging was significantly associated with negative attitude towards premarital sex OR (95% CI), male 3.16 (2.3-4.34), female 8.77 (5.38-14.29). After adjusting for a sense of community belonging, the association disappeared between acceptance of premarital sex and sexual experience of peers, proper time to wear a condom, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale score. Conclusion: Cognitive social capital, such as sense of community belonging, was associated with negative attitude towards premarital sex. Therefore, cognitive social capital concepts should be included in sexual behavior and health promotions, especially with adolescents.
Highlights
Adolescent sexual behavior, especially premarital sex, is a growing public health concern because of its connection to adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases
Premarital sex is long considered as a social taboo, the government has branded it as a “social evil” and believes that high rates of premarital sexual activities are widespread among the younger generation [4]
The foreign images, attitudes, and ideas that Vietnamese youths are exposed through the Internet, imported movies, pornography, and sexualized music, are considered influential and unwholesome information [5] [6] and the cause of increased sexual permissiveness, premarital sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, and abortion [4]
Summary
Adolescent sexual behavior, especially premarital sex, is a growing public health concern because of its connection to adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The country’s dramatic economic growth and political changes have resulted in social changes, including premarital sex attitudes and behaviors. Negative attitude towards premarital sex and sense of community belonging have not been examined in relation to adolescent sexual behavior. A high sense of community belonging was significantly associated with negative attitude towards premarital sex OR (95% CI), male 3.16 (2.3 - 4.34), female 8.77 (5.38 - 14.29). Conclusion: Cognitive social capital, such as sense of community belonging, was associated with negative attitude towards premarital sex. Cognitive social capital concepts should be included in sexual behavior and health promotions, especially with adolescents
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