Factors influencing sexually transmitted infections among adolescents in South Korea

No data exist regarding the sexually transmitted infection (STI) rate in adolescents aged 12-15 in South Korea. Only a Korean few studies have attempted to investigate the factors influencing sexually transmitted infections among adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the self-reported sexually transmitted infection contraction rate and analyse individual and family factors that influence this rate among middle school students aged 12-15 in South Korea.

Using statistics from the 8th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, secondary data analysis was conducted. The study sample consisted of 714 individuals who had reported initiating sexual intercourse.

The rate of self-reported sexually transmitted contraction was 13.5%. The following factors predicted STI contraction: second year of middle school, excellent academic achievement, habitual or purposeful drug use, first intercourse before middle school, intercourse after drinking alcohol, weekly allowance, and living without family predicted sexually transmitted infection contraction.

The parental data were collected by the self-reported surveys in a cross-sectional manner and questions of STI contraction and intercourse after drinking may have confused the subjects.

We need to utilize these predictors in providing adolescents with sexual health interventions and establishing adolescent sexual health policies.

Increased sex education and employment of a school nurse in each middle school are needed. High-risk students need to be monitored given the predictors of sexually transmitted infection contraction, and the school health personnel need to inform female students and their parents the importance of seeing a gynaecologist for regular check-ups.