Youths, aged 15โ24 years, comprise a large fragment of the total population in Thailand, and unsafe sexual behaviours are increasing, nowadays, among young people.
The study was conducted to explore the characteristics of youths and other conducive, facilitating and reinforcing factors associated with risk perception of sexually transmitted infections STIs among the study population. Data employed in this study were derived from the site of the Kanchanaburi Demographic Surveillance System of Thailand using a stratified systemic design.
The study population was mainly young current condom-users aged 15โ24 years, and cross-sectional analysis was done on this populace.
The findings revealed that youths who fell into the single unmarried category having temporary partners were more likely to perceive the risks associated with STIs in relation to using condom. A greater proportion of unmarried youths was engaged in sexual activity before the age of 20 years and that condom-use was also inconsistent.
Youths having temporary partners were more likely to perceive risk and reason for using a condom than when with their regular partner. Education played a significant role in risk perception of STIs. Risk perception was increasing with the increasing level of education.
