Factors associated with risky sexual behaviors among undergraduate students in Thailand

Abstract

Background Risky sexual behaviors are actions or practices that increase the risk of sexual intercourse. Such behavior can lead to HIV infection/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancy. The impact of risky sexual behaviors is a growing public health problem Method A cross-sectional analytical study was designed to investigate factors associated with risky sexual behaviors. The study was conducted among 916 undergraduate students in the second semester of the 2023 academic year at public universities/autonomous universities and private universities, in Thailand. The study was conducted from March to May 2024. The analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression. Results The results revealed 7 factors associated with risky sexual behaviors: academic records (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.20–2.12; p value = 0.001), drug use (AOR = 1.20; 95% CI = 0.52–2.78; p = 0.004), smoking (AOR = 3.17; 95% CI = 1.95–5.16; p < 0.001), attitudes toward risky sexual behaviors (AOR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.26–0.83; p < 0.001), access to places of ill repute and access to sexual arousal stimuli (AOR = 1.44; 95% CI = 0.80–2.60; p < 0.001), social influence (AOR = 3.10; 95% CI = 1.63–5.90; p < 0.001), and the application of sexual health information (AOR = 5.71; 95% CI = 2.84–11.50; p value < 0.001). Conclusion The findings will be useful for preventing risky sexual behaviors among undergraduate students and encouraging students to practice healthy sexual behaviors by adapting and modifying sexual behaviors to reduce various consequences.