Associated Factors of Sexual Initiation among Male Vocational High School Students in Zhejiang Province, China: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to investigate the factors associated with sexual initiation among male vocational high school students (MVHSS) in Zhejiang Province, and provide a scientific basis for preventing unsafe sexual behavior and sexual health issues among adolescents. Background: The prevalence of sexual behavior among young students has risen significantly in recent years. Contracting HIV poses a serious physical and psychological burden on young individuals and their families. Thus, it is imperative to promptly and effectively address the spread of HIV among young people. Objective: The objectives of this study are to investigate the demographic characteristics of male vocational high school students (MVHSS) who have engaged in sexual activity and to identify associated factors, such as sexual attitudes and lifestyle, that may influence sexual initiation among this population, and to offer recommendations for interventions and policy development aimed at promoting healthy sexual behaviors among MVHSS. Methods: A survey was conducted among vocational high school students in grades one and two in Zhejiang Province. Variables that were statistically significantly associated with sexual initiation in bivariate analyses were included in a multivariate logistic regression model, which adopted a backward elimination procedure with a p-value > 0.10 as the exclusion criterion. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to describe the relationship between dependent and outcome variables. Results: Of the 1032 male participants, 17.4% had initiated sexual behavior. The multivariate analysis results indicated thatThose who were frequent smokers (adjusted OR[AOR] =4.89, 95% CI: 2.36–10.13), those who reported having been in love (AOR=2.86, 95% CI: 1.84–4.44), those currently in love (AOR=4.47, 95% CI: 2.68–7.45), those willing to have sex with a high school student (AOR =2.63, 95% CI: 3.31–6.50), those willing to pay for sex (AOR =1.90, 95% CI: 1.10–3.27), and those who had received sex education and STDs/AIDS prevention education in school (AOR =2.21, 95% CI: 1.53–3.18) were more likely to initiate sexual behavior. Conclusion: Sexual attitudes among MVHSS are liberal, and the prevalence of sexual initiation is high. Interventions targeted at improving sexual safety education, reducing the rate of early initiation of sexual behavior, and promoting condom use among students must be implemented to reduce the risk of HIV infections and STDs among sexually active MVHSS.