Sexual Risk Behavior among Emerging Adults and Demographic, Personal and Socio-contextual Factors

Abstract

Background:

Adolescence is a unique transitional period to  enter into adulthood and it  is a critical period of life for sexual and reproductive health. Many young people engage in health risk behaviors and experiences which can result unintended impacts and health outcomes. There is lack of research on the adolescent sexual behavior and its impact in developing countries including Nepal. The aim of this study was tosynthesize the findingson sexual behavior among adolescents and its associated factors.

Methods:

An integrative review was conducted. The articles included in this review were studies conducted among adolescents, published in English language and those full text available.

Results:

The results showed the sexual behavior among adolescents is a significant global health issue which has many negative consequences. The sex, area of residence, socio-economic status,family related factors, parental supervision and control, peer related factors, mass media and internet, substance use and problem behavior, perceived support and self-esteem are either directly or inversely related to adolescents sexual behavior.

Conclusions

The findings highlighted that based on these preventive and risk factors, the effective intervention can be planned. This study also explored the issues related to sexual risk behavior that reflects the need for future studies to better understand the problem. The study has generated baseline information for those who are interested to work and promote health and positive development of adolescents.