Determinants of Premarital Sex Behavior: Application of Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Cognitive Theory

Background: Health problems in adolescents are among the most important problems in the human life cycle, especially reproductive and sexual problems. Actively conducted premarital sex behavior poses a risk to teenage pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted dise­ases. This study aims to analyze the theory of planned behavior and social cognitive theory on the determinants of premarital sex behavior in adolescents. Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study design. The study was con­ducted at 25 high schools/vocational high schools in Gresik, East Java, from September to October 2020. A sampling of 200 adolescents used stratified random sampling and simple ran­dom sampling. The dependent variable was premarital sex behavior. The independent varia­­bles were the intention, attitude, subjec­tive norms, peer support, family intimacy, and self-efficacy. The data were collected by using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multi­ple logistic regression with Stata 13. Results: Premarital sexual behavior increased with strong intention (b= 1.06; 95% CI= 0.15 to 1.98; p= 0.015), positive attitude (b= 1.22; 95% CI= 0.38 to 2.13; p= 0.009), subjective norms supportive (b= 1.09; 95% CI= 0.14 to 2.04; p= 0.024), and strong peer support (b= 1.37; 95% CI= 0.44 to 2.30; p= 0.004). Premarital sexual behavior decreased with strong family intimacy (b= -1.32; 95% CI= -2.23 to -0.40; p= 0.005) and strong self-efficacy for abstinence (b=                 -1.03; 95% CI= -2.23 to -1.93; p= 0.025). There was an effect at the school level on premarital sex behavior with ICC 24.6%. Conclusion: Premarital sexual behavior in­crea­ses with strong intentions, positive attitu­des, supportive subjective norms, and strong peer support. Premarital sexual behavior de­crea­ses with strong family intimacy and strong abstinence self-efficacy. There is an effect at the school level on premarital sexual behavior. Keywords: premarital sex behavior, theory of planned behavior, social cognitive theory, ado­les­cents. Correspondence:  Nur Laili Qomariah. Masters Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Su­tami 36A, Surakarta 57126. Email: lailiqomar­@gmail.com. Mobile: +6281­234190160. Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior (2020), 05(04): 272-283 https://doi.org/10.26911/thejhpb.2020.05.04.05.