The association of sociodemographic characteristics and sexual risk behaviors with health literacy toward behaviors for preventing unintended pregnancy among university students

Saowanee Thongnopakun, Tepanata Pumpaibool, Ratana Somrongthong College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an associated effect between sociodemographic characteristics and sexual risk behaviors with health literacy in preventing unintended pregnancy among university students in Chon Buri province, Thailand. Participants and methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. The data were collected between February and May, 2017. A self-administered questionnaire was developed by the Ministry of Public Health and supported by the evolving concept of health literacy of Nutbeam. This questionnaire was then applied to collect data from 418 university students. Descriptive statistical and binary logistic regression methods were used for data analysis in this study. Results: Half the students exhibited inappropriate behaviors to prevent unintended pregnancies. However, half the respondents had been educated to prevent unintended pregnancies. Nearly one-third of the students had experienced sexual intercourse. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze an association between the behavior for unintended-pregnancy prevention with sociodemographic characteristics and the health literacy of university students. The factors assessed were current residence type (the adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.897, 95% CI=1.123–3.205), previous sexual intercourse (aOR=3.263, 95% CI=1.735–6.139), cognitive health to prevent unintended pregnancy (aOR=1.095, 95% CI=1.019–1.176), decision skills in choosing appropriate practices to prevent unintended pregnancy (aOR=1.289, 95% CI=1.182–1.405), and self-management to prevent unintended pregnancy (aOR=1.113, 95% CI=1.005–1.232). Conclusion: This study indicated that university students who had experienced sexual intercourse and had low health literacy were more likely to exhibit inappropriate behaviors concerning the lack of prevention of unintended pregnancies. The results will provide health professionals with information to develop more effective prevention and intervention programs. Keywords: health literacy, behaviors for preventing unintended pregnancy, adolescen

Young people’s condom use during the COVID-19 pandemic: Cross-cultural differences and what predict them

According to the Behavioural Immune System (BIS) theory, humans are motivated to avoid exposure to harmful pathogens. However, most sources of infection are impossible to avoid completely, leading to the development of tools to reduce pathogen threat. Condoms are one example of an effective tool that can be used to avoid exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Within this framework, it would be expected that condom use would increase after the spread of a novel coronavirus (i.e., COVID-19), but the evidence to date is inconsistent. The present study aimed to clarify these inconsistencies by examining changes in condom use cross-culturally. First, Study 1 aimed to uncover whether condom use after the initial outbreak period was consistent with the BIS theory among an Australian sample (N1 = 129). Contrary to the BIS, but inline with other findings in Australia, there was a general decline of condom use. Second, Study 2 aimed to examine whether cross-cultural condom use was consistent with the BIS. Sexually active participants (N2 = 3843) across 17 countries were asked about their condom use. Results revealed a significant decline in Canada, Portugal, Vietnam, Uganda, and Taiwan. Vaccination percentage and lockdown stringency were associated with this decline cross-culturally. In sum, there was no evidence supporting the BIS theory, and these findings continue to add concerns about the spread of STIs among young people during the pandemic