Self-Esteem, sexual values and sexual risk behavior among undergraduate students in the Northern Thailand

There is rarity on the study based on the sexual risk behaviors and the social roles among undergraduate students. The aim of this study was to assess the sexual risk behaviors and the linkage of the self-esteem and sexual value among undergraduate students in the Northern of Thailand.

A cross sectional study was conducted between August 15 and October 15, 2017 among 450 undergraduate students in the Northern region, Thailand. The instrument used was a validated and reliable self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with sexual risk behaviors with adjusted covariates.

Findings revealed that 189 respondents reported ever having sex with an average age of 19.84±1.22. More than half of the students were female. Almost half of the students (46.6%) reported living alone. 84.6% had the habit of alcohol drinking. 85.2% reported one sexual partners and 54.0% reported using condoms all of the time. Sexual value and self-esteem was found at the moderate level. Respondents living with boy/girlfriend were less likely to have sexual partner more than one person. Respondents who were male, living with parent, and living with friend were less likely to report condoms use. Students who had more than one partner were likely to have the sexual value score less than students who had one partner. Respondents using condom all the time were likely to have self-esteem and sexual value score more than who did not.

The modernized and innovative training program in the accurate knowledge of sexuality and enhancing sexual values and self-esteem to prevent sexual risk behaviors with the appropriate gender, norms and the recent era among undergraduate students need to be considered.