Premature Sexual Activity Research Articles

Exploring factors influencing attitudes toward premarital sex among Thai adolescents: a quantitative analysis

In Thai society, teenagers having sex before marriage is often avoided as it is considered forbidden. Nonetheless, it is widely believed that young people are becoming more sexually active before marriage. This study aimed to determine factors associated with attitudes toward premarital sex among Thai adolescents. Secondary data was used and drawn from the 2011 Survey on Conditions of Society and Culture by the National Statistical Office Thailand. The total study population was 674 Thai adolescents, comprising 364 younger adolescents aged 13–16 and 310 older adolescents aged 17–19. Three-quarters of the sample were school-going students. The analysis used Pearson chi-square and binary logistic regression. The results found that age, gender, education status, and acceptance toward sexual behaviors had a significant association with attitude toward premarital sex with those under 15 years old (p < .05). The probability of agreement with premarital sex was highly associated with the acceptance of open sexual behavior. However, older age groups and school-going adolescents had less likelihood of agreeing with premarital sex when compared with younger and out-of-school groups. Female adolescents had less probability of agreeing with premarital sex than males. In conclusion, accepting open sexual behavior is at risk of agreeing with premarital sex, but education programs in school may protect them from it. To provide knowledge and prevent the risk of premature sexual activity, sexual health should be promoted, including the appropriate sexual value, in primary school programs. In addition, the government should encourage sexual health through social activities for out-of-school adolescents.

Utilization of the Microbiological Profile of Symptomatic Vaginal Discharge in Rural Reproductive-Age Women

Women frequently report an irregular vaginal discharge, which can be caused by vaginal pathogens such as bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, and trichomoniasis. The research objective was to ascertain the microbiological composition of symptomatic vaginal discharge in rural areas and the use of this information for treating genital tract infections. The current research was carried out over the course of a year, from Jan 2022 to June 2022, among sexually active females of reproductive age between 18 and 40 years, who visited the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at the Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Out of 120 women who had symptomatic vaginal secretions, 62 patients (51.67%) were in the 18–28 age range, followed by 39 patients (32.5%) in the 29–39 age range, and 19 patients (15.83%) in the 40–45 age range. Chlamydia trachomatis and Candida were discovered in 21 and 26 women, respectively, accounting for 17.5% and 21.67% of infections, but bacterial vaginosis infections were common in women (n=59), representing approximately 49.16% of scenarios. The majority of the patients (n=62; 51.67% and n=29; 24.16%) exhibited homogeneous and mucopurulent discharge respectively. Low socioeconomic class, premature sexual activity, and recognized genetic factors for unusual vaginal secretions, are one of the important risk factors that cause mortality in women in the form of lack of self, reduced work time, more hospital visits, and miscarriage. To assess the potential health benefits, thorough economic studies must be conducted after these experiments. It can assist doctors in implementing the proper antimicrobial therapy to treat these illnesses, avoid long-term complications, as well as avoid overdiagnosis and the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

Sexual knowledge and practice of adolescent learners in a rural South African school.

Premature sexual activity has become a norm in South African society, often resulting in teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Occurrence of premature sexual activity is related to insufficient education, gender inequalities, household poverty and place of residence. The Stepping Stones project uses a 10-session programme to educate learners about relationships, HIV-prevention and teenage pregnancy. The purpose was to measure and describe learners' sexual knowledge and activities in a rural technical secondary school in North-west Province, South Africa. A cross-sectional survey. Questionnaires were distributed to learners in grade 8 to 12. Descriptive statistics was used in analysis. Seventy-nine questionnaires were analysed. Despite a young sample, 26.6% were sexually active and 24.1% engaged in sexual activity. The mean age for first-time sexual intercourse was 15.2±2.3 years. The use of contraceptives was low (41.2%) and participants reported difficulty in talking to partners about condom use (54.8%). Almost half (45.5%) of the participants had never heard of STDs. Participants expressed a need to use social media as a sex education tool (12.3%). The primary source of information was from school-based programmes (58.0%). Findings point to unsafe sexual practice of learners at a school in rural South Africa, even from an early age. This concern is accompanied by the occurrence of low levels of sexually-related knowledge. The learners would benefit from continued implementation of the Stepping Stones programme. Implementation could be improved by incorporating social media and emphasising gender equality and negotiation skills in sexually vulnerable situations.

Social Support, Self-Control, Religiousness and Engagement in High Risk-Behaviors among Adolescents

This research explored links between social support, self-control, religiousness and engagement in risk-behaviors among adolescents in Palestine. Results found that higher scores on social support correlated with lower scores on risk behaviors, while higher levels of self-control were correlated with lower scores on specific behaviors including drinking, smoking and drug use. Higher scores on religiousness were correlated with lower levels of drinking, drug use and premature sexual activity. While the parameters of the factors must be discovered, the implications of these findings for research are ample and include not only the mechanism of the relationships but how to enhance the protective factors in potentially disenfranchised youth in Palestine.

Attitudes toward condom education amongst educators for Deaf and hard-of-hearing adolescents in South Africa.

BackgroundDisabled adolescents are at a critical time in their psychosocial and sexual development.AimThis study explores the attitudes of educators working in schools for Deaf and hard-of-hearing pupils in South Africa toward condom education for their pupils.MethodsWe conducted a combination of individual in-depth and joint interviews with a total of 27 participants. The sample comprised educators, school psychologists, school nurses and teaching assistants.ResultsResults showed that educators were aware of the HIV risk for their pupils and reported the risk of sexual abuse or premature sexual activity as being risk factors for HIV infection. None of the schools had a written condom education policy. Whilst some schools were integrating condom education in existing school curricula, others faced moral or religious dilemmas in doing so. There were differences in attitudes, both amongst schools and amongst educators in the same schools.ConclusionsGiven the context of a burgeoning HIV epidemic, it is vital to address adequate condom education in schools.

ESTEEM and FACTS: Creative Ways to Teach Healthy Lifestyles to Youth from Diverse Backgrounds

Two health education programs illustrating different ways to engage youth from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds in positive youth development lessons and activities are described for practitioners in schools and community agencies. Both programs were developed in collaborative efforts between public school health teachers and community organizations and resulted in abstinence education curricula suitable for use in either schools or community agencies. Both programs were effective with youth from different racial and ethnic backgrounds in promoting setting wholesome personal goals, developing prosocial and healthy relationships, and avoiding risky behaviors such as premature sexual activity or abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs. Federal programs designed to prevent teen pregnancy facilitated the development and evaluation of both programs. ESTEEM was developed in Texas at the Longview Wellness Center and FACTS was developed in Oregon by Northwest Family Services.

Towards the promotion of reproductive health of the young

Premature sexual activity of the young, before reaching physical and psycho-social maturity, brings along the risk of jeopardizing their reproductive health, mostly because it can lead to sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy, which is mostly unwanted in adolescence. The starting assumption of the promotion of reproductive health of the young is understanding and acceptance of their sexuality and relevant needs in social environment in which they live. Primarily in the family, the media, healthcare institutions and school. During the period of childhood and youth, school possesses the unique possibility to enable a large number of young people to acquire knowledge and skills related to sexuality and reproductive health and shape their values, attitudes and beliefs. The complexity of the process of making the decision about becoming sexually active, as well as the space for action towards its postponement to older age, are also indicated by the results of the research conducted in Belgrade, on the sample of one hundred and eleven female adolescents aged fourteen to twenty, who became sexually active at the age sixteen and earlier. These are primarily those results which refer to the meaning of love and sex in their value system, motives, feelings and attitudes related to becoming sexually active.

Contraception in adolescents--address on the occasion of the FBA 2002

In Germany we observe an increasing number of unwanted teenage pregnancies associated with a consecutively escalating rate of abortions. The education at school, through parents and public media does not show sufficient prevention efficacy. One of the key issues in this context seems to be the discrepancy between time of education and premature sexual activity. Suitable contraceptives are required to meet individual needs and parameters of the adolescent. There are various suitable options as low dose oral contraception of the new generation, long-term depot contraceptives, the Nuva-Ring and future transdermal and subcutaneous contraceptives currently under evaluation. The interests and demands of the teenage patient are the focus of attention but the legal ground has to be taken into consideration, too: Contraception for adolescents provides potential conflict of interest for the physician and thus makes knowledge of recent laws essential.

No Excuses: Televised Pornography Harms Children

All youngsters are at some risk from exposure to televised pornography, as described above. At particular risk for harm, however, are the most vulnerable children in our society--children in single-parent homes, children with mental and emotional disturbances, mentally challenged children, children who have been physically and/or sexually abused, and children in dysfunctional families. Youngsters for whom television serves as a babysitter or parental surrogate unfortunately are exposed to few competing influences to television viewing. In addition, parents in such homes are least likely to know what their children are viewing and to be able to pass on their own values about sex and sexual behavior. The main possible effects of televised pornography that must concern us as clinicians, educators, and parents are modeling and imitation of language heard and behaviors observed in televised pornography; negative interference with children's normal sexual development; emotional reactions such as nightmares and feelings of anxiety, guilt, confusion, and/or shame; stimulation of premature sexual activity; development of unrealistic, misleading, and/or harmful attitudes toward sex and adult male-female relationships; and undermining of family values with resultant conflict between parents and children. Much more research is clearly needed on this topic. Because of the ethical and procedural problems surrounding research on children exposed to pornography, ideal research designs may never be possible. Nonetheless, we hope that this article will stimulate further discussion and work. To devise public policy that protects children from potentially harmful material while at the same time respecting the media's First Amendment rights, such public discourse and responsible research are essential.

Reputations, relationships and refusing sex: The difficulty of saying ‘No’ and of being heard

Encouraging young women to ‘just say no’ to sex has become central to education programmes designed to delay sexual initiation and/or to prevent date rape, but little is known about the ways in which young women currently understand and experience sexual refusals. This paper draws on data fromfocus groups with 58, white, heterosexual, school and university student volunteers to explore issues around refusing sex. The transcripts of the groups were reviewed for recurrent themes (illustrated by verbatim data extracts) and a number of barriers to refusing sex were identified, including: concerns about reputation, concerns about relationships, and concerns about the effectiveness of sexual refusals. The implications for programmes designed to prevent premature sexual activity and/or date rape are discussed.

Self-Esteem and Religiosity: Comparison of 13- to 15-Year-Old Students in Catholic and Public Junior High Schools

An important goal of schooling is to support students’ personal well-being, including to enhance their self-esteem (Bagley, 1989b; Bagley, Verma, Mallick, & Young, 1979). Self-esteem and self-concept (used as interchangeable con- structs) are linked to scholastic achievement (Byrne, 1990), and, according to Kaplan (1980), inversely to school drop-out, delinquency, premature sexual activity, unwanted pregnancy, and substance abuse. In theory at least, the ethos of Catholic schools (which in many parts of Canada take more than a quarter of all students) should lead to greater integration with supportive social systems (Bryk, Lee, & Holland, 1993; Lesko, 1988). Some North and South American and European studies (Coleman, Hoffer, & Kilgore, 1982; Smith, Weigert, & Thomas, 1979) have shown that students in Catholic schools (or at least those accepting Catholic values, and attending church regularly) have somewhat higher levels of self-esteem than students in public schools; however, factors such as social class, age, and sex have not been entirely controlled for in these studies. In a Belgian study, Brutsaert (1995) points to the interesting finding that girls in Catholic schools, but not boys, have enhanced self-esteem levels. He speculates that the rather structured environment of the Catholic school enhances the self-esteem of girls, but not of boys. Finally, in a national U.S. study of some 30,000 adolescents, Donahue and Benson (1995) found that religiosity had no significant links with self-esteem, despite having significant negative correlations with suicidality, substance abuse, delinquency, and premature sexual involve- ment; thus Kaplan’s earlier finding was not confirmed, although this may be due to the kind of measurements of self-appraisal used.

11: Family and Marriage

Cardinal Bernardin also analyzes the widespread topic of pregnancy at very young age in the United States. When teenage girls are not offered a proper education, a job, and a realistic prospect for self‐improvement, they can make wrong choices.Moreover, providing contraceptive services in school‐based clinics merely escapes the problem, and encourages young people to engage in sexual behavior by giving it a veneer of social acceptability. Furthermore, along with a permissive attitude toward premature sexual activity, we send young people the message that casual sex is a socially acceptable norm.A real solution – the Archbishop of Chicago says – is a strong education that helps teenagers develop into sexually mature adults. Despite difficult challenges facing families of today, they must play an active role in the education of teenagers and provide positive examples through their behavior. Christian families are very important to our society and it is necessary that young couples thoroughly understand the Sacrament of marriage.Joseph Bernardin underlines the importance of an extensive and correct marriage preparation, noting that unhealthy formative circumstances may eventually lead to separation and divorce. Marriage preparation must be realistic about faithfully maintaining the marriage covenant in a changing world. In doing so, the family will grow as a positive and healthy example for modem society and for young people in particular.Cardinal Bernardin confirms that the family has a central importance in our society as nurturer of new life and transmitter of values. He notes though that the survival of the modern family is in danger based on the high rate of divorce (one marriage out of two ends in a divorce). Not only economic but moral issues, he concludes, play an important role in family problems, which encompass values, attitudes, and mistaken use of personal freedom.

Adolescent sexual intercourse.

Preview As sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll have given way to STDs, HIV, and AIDS, adolescent sex has become an increasingly high- risk behavior. Dr Kay strongly believes that primary care physicians can have a prominent role in educating teens and their parents about the consequences of premature sexual activity and in promoting healthy living. In this article, he presents the case against adolescent sexual intercourse and outlines a concrete approach to dealing with adolescent patients at risk and their families.

Sexuality

Adolescent sexual activity is increasing. Premature sexual intercourse results in high figures of adolescent pregnancy and abortion, as well as in increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Lack of information on the prevention of STDs and poor hygiene in both boys and girls are also main reasons for increased morbidity because of STDs during adolescence. Contraceptive behaviour during adolescence varies between countries and communities. It seems, however, that the condom and oral contraceptives (OC) are popular contraceptive methods. Ineffective methods such as periodic abstinence, coitus interruptus, and withdrawal before ejaculation are in use. On the other hand, compliance of adolescents on contraception is poor. The above are additional causes for increasing rates of adolescent pregnancies. Countries providing sexual education programs in schools present lower rates of pregnancy and abortion. Adolescent pregnancy is safe if a careful follow up is accepted by the teenager. A significant number of homeless youth are homosexuals or lesbian adolescents. Most of them are at high risk for HIV infection, AIDS, and STDs. It is concluded that sexual education programs are absolutely necessary to offer adolescents the knowledge on the complications of premature sexual activity, as well as prevention of the undesired pregnancy and STDs.

Adolescents as victims of family violence. Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association

Adolescents experience maltreatment at rates equal to or exceeding those of younger children. Recent increases in reported cases of maltreatment have occurred disproportionately among older children and adolescents. However, adolescents are less likely to be reported to child protective services and are more likely to be perceived as responsible for their maltreatment. Adolescent girls are reported as victims more often than boys, especially in sexual abuse. However, boys may be less likely to be identified or reported and often are abused by nonfamily members. Parents of adolescent victims have higher average income and educational levels and are less likely to have a parental history of abuse than parents of younger children. A wide range of serious adolescent risk behaviors is associated with maltreatment. These include increased risk of premature sexual activity, unintended pregnancy, emotional disorders, suicide attempts, eating disorders, alcohol and other drug abuse, and delinquent behavior. Incarcerated youth, homeless or runaway youth, and youth who victimize siblings or assault parents have been shown to have high rates of prior maltreatment. Signs of maltreatment are often ambiguous for adolescents. Screening questions have been effective in prompting self-disclosure of abuse. Adolescents also experience problems in the child welfare system that offers fewer and less appropriate services for this age group. Recommendations are made regarding screening of adolescents for maltreatment, the development of better services for adolescents, research on parenting to prevent maltreatment, and training of school staff to identify and refer victims of maltreatment.

Adolescents as Victims of Family Violence

Adolescents experience maltreatment at rates equal to or exceeding those of younger children. Recent increases in reported cases of maltreatment have occurred disproportionately among older children and adolescents. However, adolescents are less likely to be reported to child protective services and are more likely to be perceived as responsible for their maltreatment. Adolescent girls are reported as victims more often than boys, especially in sexual abuse. However, boys may be less likely to be identified or reported and often are abused by nonfamily members. Parents of adolescent victims have higher average income and educational levels and are less likely to have a parental history of abuse than parents of younger children. A wide range of serious adolescent risk behaviors is associated with maltreatment. These include increased risk of premature sexual activity, unintended pregnancy, emotional disorders, suicide attempts, eating disorders, alcohol and other drug abuse, and delinquent behavior. Incarcerated youth, homeless or runaway youth, and youth who victimize siblings or assault parents have been shown to have high rates of prior maltreatment. Signs of maltreatment are often ambiguous for adolescents. Screening questions have been effective in prompting self-disclosure of abuse. Adolescents also experience problems in the child welfare system that offers fewer and less appropriate services for this age group. Recommendations are made regarding screening of adolescents for maltreatment, the development of better services for adolescents, research on parenting to prevent maltreatment, and training of school staff to identify and refer victims of maltreatment. (JAMA. 1993;270:1850-1856)

Premature Sexual Activity as an Indicator of Psychosocial Risk

Although unprotected premature sexual activity is associated with well-defined biologic risks of sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy, the concomitant psychosocial risks are less well documented. The strength of association (odds ratio) of coital status with other risk behaviors and feelings was examined in 1504 junior high school students. Among the 12 through 16-year-old students, 63% of the boys and 36% of the girls were nonvirginal (had had intercourse at least once). The proportion of sexually experienced boys and girls increased with age. Nonvirginal boys and girls were significantly (P less than .001) more likely than their virginal cohorts to engage in other activities considered risky. The odds ratios for nonvirginal youth ranged from 3.5 for girls having used drugs other than alcohol or marijuana, to 10.4 for girls having used marijuana. Nonvirginal boys and girls were also at significantly greater risk for engaging in minor delinquent acts and having school problems. Nonvirginal girls (but not boys) were 6.3 times more likely to report having attempted suicide. The strength of associations with feelings was weaker. Nonvirginal girls were at slightly greater risk for reporting feeling lonely, feeling upset, and having difficulty sleeping. A significant proportion of the students reported sexual experience and ever use of alcohol or marijuana (45% of boys, 27% of girls). There were strong age effects so that by age 15 years, 63% of the boys and 50% of the girls reported experience with both activities. The data suggest that early sexual experience among adolescents is associated with other potentially health-endangering behaviors and that the syndrome of problem behaviors is important in this age group.

Premature Sexual Activity, Pregnancy, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases: The Pediatrician's Role as a Counselor

Physicians providing preventive and primary health care for schoolaged patients are frequently confronted with difficult problems that stem from premature sexual activity among these young people. In this paper a brief description of the scope and potential costs, both human and societal, of these problems is given as background for discussion of the pediatrician's role as counselor and educator in their prevention and management. The high frequency of sexual experience among school-aged girls and boys and the potential devastation that may result from the emerging epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), in combination with the pattern of multiple sex partners among adolescents, lend added urgency to the consideration of preventing these problems. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY, ABORTION, AND CHILDBEARING The problems associated with pregnancy and childbirth among adolescents have attracted public concern and controversy since the middle 1970s when the number of births to American teenagers reached its peak. However, even though the number of births in this age group has declined as a result of the legalization of abortion and a decline in the number of teenagers in the population, the likelihood of pregnancy has declined much less, particularly among adolescents, younger than 18 years, and among the youngest teenagers. Among girls 15 years of age and younger, the pregnancy rate has been fairly stable and, among those who are white, it has continued to increase.

Premature sexual activity, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases: the pediatrician's role as a counselor.

Physicians providing preventive and primary health care for schoolaged patients are frequently confronted with difficult problems that stem from premature sexual activity among these young people. In this paper a brief description of the scope and potential costs, both human and societal, of these problems is given as background for discussion of the pediatrician9s role as counselor and educator in their prevention and management. The high frequency of sexual experience among school-aged girls and boys and the potential devastation that may result from the emerging epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), in combination with the pattern of multiple sex partners among adolescents, lend added urgency to the consideration of preventing these problems. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY, ABORTION, AND CHILDBEARING The problems associated with pregnancy and childbirth among adolescents have attracted public concern and controversy since the middle 1970s when the number of births to American teenagers reached its peak. However, even though the number of births in this age group has declined as a result of the legalization of abortion and a decline in the number of teenagers in the population, the likelihood of pregnancy has declined much less, particularly among adolescents, younger than 18 years, and among the youngest teenagers. Among girls 15 years of age and younger, the pregnancy rate has been fairly stable and, among those who are white, it has continued to increase.

Sex, Drugs, Rock `N' Roll: An Introduction

Despite their apparent physical health, adolescents frequently engage in behaviors that increase their risk of physical harm, jeopardize their future, and dismay their parents. Among these activities are sexual activity and drug use. This article will summarize data about the current levels of teenage pregnancy and drug use among teenagers and will critique the studies that produce this data. When viewed in perspective, levels of premature sexual activity and drug usage among teenagers may not be quite as alarming as previously thought.