THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PREMARITAL SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND STI INCIDENCE AMONG KAMORO ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

        Premarital sexual behavior is an emerging public health concern among Kamoro adolescents because of its potential association with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, studies integrating epidemiological and sociocultural perspectives on this issue among Kamoro adolescents remain limited. This study aimed to examine the relationship between premarital sexual behavior and STI incidence and identify its influencing factors among Kamoro adolescents in the Mapurujaya Health Center working area. A mixed-methods approach combined a quantitative cross-sectional design and a qualitative case study. The quantitative population comprised 2,586 adolescent visits to Mapurujaya Health Center in 2024. A total of 536 adolescents were selected for the quantitative study, while 10 informants were recruited for the qualitative study using purposive sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using prevalence ratios (PR), chi-square tests, and attributable risk analysis. The results showed that the variable with the highest attributable risk for the incidence of STIs was Ethnicity in adolescents at 3.46%, and the lowest was gender (-0.53%). Age above 15 years (late adolescence) was significantly associated with STI incidence. The highest prevalence ratio was for Tribe, which was 5.11 (95% CI: 0.59-44.04). Qualitative findings indicated that premarital sexual behavior was common among Kamoro adolescents and was influenced by family dynamics, social environments, social media, and globalization. Customary practices played a limited role in prevention. In conclusion, premarital sexual behavior is shaped by interconnected social and cultural factors, while late adolescence is associated with STI incidence. These findings highlight the need for culturally appropriate reproductive health education and community-based STI prevention.