Cognitive, Affective and Psycomotoric Aspects Related Risky Sexual Behavior Among Adolescents at the University Level

Abstract

The current phenomenon shows that teenagers are into the sexually active period quickly. This condition causes adolescents to be more vulnerable to experiencing adolescent reproductive health triad such as premarital sex, STI/HIV infections and drug abuse. Higher education is an educational institution whose students are teenagers who do not rule out experiencing these problems. This study aims to determine the cognitive, affective and psychomotoric factors related to risky sexual behavior among adolescents at the college level using a cross sectional approach. The research analysis sample was 750 students from 4 study programs in one of the universities in South Sumatra which were taken by using cluster random sampling technique. Data analysis includes univariable and bivariable analysis (chi square test). The results showed that 12% of students had risky sexual behavior where 3.5% had vaginal, anal or oral sex. In addition, the results of the bivariate analysis showed that the variables that were significantly related to risky sexual behavior included cognitive factors (knowledge), affective factors (attitudes, perceptions of norms, parental roles and self-efficacy) and psychomotoric factors (negative peer group behavior). This study recommends the need for access to adolescent-friendly reproductive health services with the principle of peer educator as a means of improving soft skills for adolescents related to adolescent reproductive health.

Sexual Risk Behavior and its Impact on Unwanted Pregnancy Among Adolescents

“…The results of previous studies show that 12% of adolescents have risky courtship activities, and 3.5% of adolescents have had sexual intercourse. 3,4 According to the Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey's findings in 2017 showed that sexual behavior among adolescents have been started from the age of 15-19 years with the percentage of reasons to do so based on mutual love and desire to know sexual relations (curious). 4 Sexual intercourse in adolescence is at risk of other health problems such as unwanted pregnancies and triggers reactions to illegal abortion decisions that mostly lead to complications.…”

“…Previous research has shown that exposure to reproductive health information, adolescent self-confidence to avoid risky behaviors, the presence of friends who behave negatively, and weak parental control of their child's behavior affect risky sexual behavior in adolescents. 3,9 In addition, the quality of information obtained by adolescents also greatly determines the quality of their reproductive health; the source of incorrect information will still plunge adolescents into risky behaviors, including attempting sexual intercourse before marriage and moreover experiencing unwanted pregnancies. Ultimately, this research aimed to analyze sexual risk behaviors and how they impact unintended pregnancy among adolescents.…”