Parental Communication, Peer Role, and the Contextual Effect of School on Safe Sex Behavior among Adolescents in Mojokerto, East Java

Abstract

Background: Globally, youth are particularly vulnerable to the negative consequences of sexual behavior, such as unwanted pregnancies, AIDS and other STDs. The importance of school contextual effects on health and well-being among young people is increasingly recognized. This study aimed to examine the effects of parental communication and peer role on safe sex behavior among adolescents in Mojokerto, East Java, with special consideration of the contextual effect of school. Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at 15 senior high schools in Mojokerto, East Java, from April to May 2018. A sample of 200 students was selected by stratified random sampling. The dependent variable was safe sex behavior. The independent variables were parental communication and peer role. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by a multilevel analysis. Results: Parental communication role (b=1.00; 95% CI=-0.56 to 1.44; p<0.001) and peer role (b=0.84; 95% CI=0.41 to 1.27; p<0.001) positively affected safe sex behavior among adolescents. School had a contextual effect on safe sex behavior with ICC=9.6%. Conclusion: Parental role and peer role positively affect safe sex behavior among adolescents. School has a considerable contextual effect on safe sex behavior.