Abstract
Background and Aims: Adolescence is a period of life in which high-risk behaviors, including sexual behaviors, put the adolescents at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. This research aimed at studying the relationship between peers' perception of sexual behavior and adolescents' attitudes and self-efficacy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study used a multi-stage method to examine 1500 subjects in the universities of Shahroud, Iran. The questionnaires were consisted of sexual abstinence attitude, abstinence self-efficacy and peer subjective norms. To ensure the confidentiality of information, the questionnaire was distributed among 1500 students in six universities anonymously, and students҆ field of study was not mentioned. The collected data was analyzed with descriptive (Mean, Percent) and inferential tests (independent t-test, chi2, and Spearman test) using SPSS 18 software. Results: The mean age of the females was 20.26±1.49, and that of males was 20.32±1.575. 59.3% of male students and 86.8% of female students had poor sexual abstinence to sex before marriage. Moreover, the sexual abstinence self-efficacy of 29% of male students and 13.1% of female students, regarding the sexual abstinence before marriage, was strong. Findings showed that the more one believes in his/her abilities in sexual abstinence, the more they believe that their friends will not be involved in sex Conclusion: It is required to provide the opportunities to learn and correct the socio-emotional skills required for physical and sexual health in relationships through social interactions with peers. In this context, the reproductive health programs need to be prioritized in the youth health programs and schools
Highlights
Adolescence is a period of life in which high-risk behaviors, including sexual behaviors, put the adolescents at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS [1, 2]
Findings showed that the more one believes in his/her abilities in sexual abstinence, the more they believe that their friends will not be involved in sex Conclusion: It is required to provide the opportunities to learn and correct the socio-emotional skills required for physical and sexual health in relationships through social interactions with peers
The reproductive health programs need to be prioritized in the youth health programs and schools
Summary
Adolescence is a period of life in which high-risk behaviors, including sexual behaviors, put the adolescents at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS [1, 2]. The 2015- 2020 Adolescents Health Strategy emphasized the improvement of health literacy from childhood to adolescence as a strategic target to improve the conscious decision-making development in the developing countries This strategy is in line with the effects of social norms of peers, family, and school, which “may put the adolescents at risk or protect them” [11]. According to the theory of social norms, peers have an effective role in the involvement of adolescents in high-risk behaviors. This effect is rooted in adolescents' beliefs about norms that are common among peers. This research aimed at studying the relationship between peers' perception of sexual behavior and adolescents' attitudes and self-efficacy
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