Introduction The increasing trend of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the young population is a significant public health problem. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge on STIs among students in higher education institutions and its predicting factors, in Melaka. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 students from higher education institutions in Melaka aged between 18 to 30 years old. Multistage sampling of the institutions was performed. Valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire in the national language, Bahasa Malaysia, was used as to collect data on sociodemographic, personal background, knowledge on STIs and sources of information for STIs. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS software version 25. Results The response rate for this study was 88%. The mean knowledge score was 24.1 ±5.1 out of 38. HIV was the most known STIs while gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and chlamydial infections were among the least known STIs. Oral intercourse was the least known sexual activity that could transmit STIs. Higher proportion of respondents had correct knowledge on control and preventive measures of STIs (between 78% and 95%) compared to correct knowledge on sign and symptoms of STIs (between 8.5% and 67.8%). More than 90% of the respondents were unaware that a person infected with STIs could be symptom free. Four variables were identified as the determinants of the knowledge on STIs, which were level of education, place of stay, history of sexual and reproductive health education and involvement in STIs awareness programs ( F (4,445) = 11.405, p <0.001, R 2 = 0.093). Conclusions The knowledge on STIs among students in higher education institutions was unsatisfactory. The existing sexual education programs can be strengthened by delivering more information on other STIs rather than focusing on HIV only. The future program should focus on students of diploma and/or skill certificate and staying off-campus.

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Sexting refers to the sharing of sexually explicit digital messages via online platform. This behavior is becoming more prevalent among young people and has been linked to a number of detrimental effects. The current systematic review has aimed to examine the significant intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with sexting behavior among youths. The relevant studies were found via six electronic databases and the eligible studies include studies that measured intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with sexting behavior as dependent variables among the mean age group 10 to 24 years old, and cross-sectional, cohort, or case-control studies that reported the odds ratio (OR) or relative risk (RR) value and significant p-value or 95% CI. A total of 14 articles that were produced between years 2014 to 2020 were included in the qualitative synthesis. From these 14 studies, the reported significant factors associated with sexting were age, puberty, sex, sexual orientation, personal characteristics, psychosocial factors, peers, family, relationship status, sexual activity, internet use, and online-related activities. Perception of popular peer’s sexting behavior and female sex were the reported intrinsic factors with the highest odds ratio (OR) value. Participation in risky online activities and a history of sexual activity were reported to have the highest OR value among other extrinsic factors.  In contrast to prior reviews on sexting that have mostly focused on the association of sexting with sexual risk behavior and mental health, this review has closely examined both individual and extrinsic factors related with sexting behavior, particularly among youths. The findings from this review can assist in the development of more comprehensive health education and behavioral intervention on sexting behavior among youths, such as using peer-based intervention and limiting the duration of internet use.