Factors Influencing Condom Use for the Prevention of Pregnancy and HIV Infection among Teenagers In Kampangpeth Province, Thailand

Despite convenience, availability, accessibility and affordability of condoms, a significant proportion of adolescents worldwide engage in unprotected sexual activities, leading to rising rates of new HIV infections and pregnancy. This study was conducted to determine factors influencing condom use for the prevention of HIV infection and pregnancy among secondary school students in Kampangpeth Province. Across-sectional design was conducted between February and March 2019 to select 183 samples by stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using mean, frequencies, percentage, and regression analysis. Factors influencing condom use included knowledge of sexual education [OR = 1.26 (95%CI: 1.04 – 1.52), p = 0.017], self-efficacy to prevent pregnancy and HIV [OR = 1.10 (95%CI: 1.01 – 1.20), p = 0.027], curiosity to try sex [OR = 1.17 (95%CI: 1.04 – 1.31), p = 0.011], time spent with a boy/girlfriend [OR = 1.09 (95%CI: 0.85 – 1.00), p = 0.049], consumption of sexual media [OR = 1.08 (95%CI: 0.99 – 1.17), p = 0.048], good family care [OR = 7.89 (95%CI: 1.07 – 58.11), p = 0.043]. being male [OR = 5.26 (95%CI: 0.07 – 0.71), p = 0.014], and living with parents [OR = 3.42 (95% CI: 1.15 – 10.19), p = 0.027]. This study concluded that based on the factors influencing condom use to protect against HIV infection and pregnancy in adolescents, sexual education in secondary schools should be encouraged to increase sexual knowledge and family ties between parents and adolescents especially girls should also be strengthened.