Risk and Protective Factors Affecting Sexual Risk Behavior Among School-Aged Adolescents in Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, and Vanuatu.
There are limited studies on the prevalence and correlates of sexual risk behavior among adolescents in Pacific Island countries. In order to inform public sexual and reproductive health interventions, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of various sexual risk behaviors among in-school adolescents in 4 Pacific Island countries using data from the Global School-Based Health Survey. In a cross-sectional study, 6792 school-going adolescents (49.7% boys and 50.3% girls; 13-16 years old) from Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, and Vanuatu were surveyed with a self-administered questionnaire. Overall, 18.9% of students reported to ever had sex (ranging from 12.9% in Vanuatu to 57.5% in Samoa), and of those sexually active, 38.0% had an early sexual debut (<14 years), 38.1% had 2 or more sexual partners during their lifetime, 39.5% had not used a condom at last sex, 50.9% had not used birth control at last sex, and 77.8% engaged in sexually risky behavior using a composite measure. Multivariate logistic regression found that male sex, older age, tobacco use, alcohol use, mental distress, having no close friends, and truancy were associated with several of 5 or all 5 sexual risk behaviors. Sexual and reproductive health promotion programs are indicated to address the high risk of sexually transmitted infection, HIV, and pregnancy in this adolescent population.
['Peltzer|Karl|K|', 'Pengpid|Supa|S|']
D000293:Adolescent D000294:Adolescent Behavior D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D005260:Female D005367:Fiji D006306:Health Surveys D006801:Humans D016015:Logistic Models D008297:Male D008849:Micronesia D015999:Multivariate Analysis D065840:Protective Factors D012307:Risk Factors D012309:Risk-Taking D018947:Samoa D012725:Sexual Behavior D009514:Vanuatu
protective factors Fiji Kiribati Samoa Vanuatu Global School-Based Health Survey mental distress sexual behavior substance use