Contraceptive use among sexually active school-going adolescents in three Southeast Asian Countries: a...

Sexual and reproductive health remains a significant public health issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries where access to contraception and sexuality education is often limited. This study examined factors associated with the use of condoms and other birth control methods among school-going adolescents in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Thailand.

This study utilized cross-sectional data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey conducted in Brunei Darussalam (2019), Thailand (2021), and Indonesia (2023), involving 868 sexually active school-going adolescents. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to assess the association between demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral risk factors with use of condoms and other birth control methods among adolescents who reported being sexually active.

Condom use was significantly higher among adolescents in Thailand than those in Indonesia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 8.035); no significant difference was observed in Brunei Darussalam. High parental support was positively associated with condom use (AOR, 1.883). Regarding other birth control methods, adolescents aged 17 years and older were more likely to use contraception than their younger peers (AOR, 1.557). Adolescents in Thailand also demonstrated a higher use of other birth control methods (AOR, 2.132). Additionally, experiencing a single symptom of psychological distress was positively associated with using other birth control methods.

Age, number of sexual partners, psychological distress, parental support, and national context significantly influenced contraceptive use among adolescents in Southeast Asia. Enhancing parental involvement, expanding access to adolescent-friendly health services, and strengthening comprehensive sexuality education are crucial strategies for reducing the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among adolescents.