Permissive Attitude towards Premarital Sex Among University Students in Malaysia - Does Childhood Abuse Play A Role?

Introduction: Despite it being culturally forbidden, youth are voluntarily engaging in premarital sex which could lead to poor sexual behaviour in adult life. This nationwide study aimed to determine the prevalence of permissive attitude towards premarital sex among young university students and its...

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Published in:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
Main Author: Mohamad S.N.S.; Kamaruddin K.N.; Shibraumalisi N.A.; Mohamad F.; Azlan S.M.; Dahlan R.; Ismail I.Z.; Shahar H.K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universiti Putra Malaysia Press 2023
Online Access:https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85180595659&doi=10.47836%2fmjmhs.19.s17.7&partnerID=40&md5=86639883f019d3ce1bea0adeab004f2d
id 2-s2.0-85180595659
spelling 2-s2.0-85180595659
Mohamad S.N.S.; Kamaruddin K.N.; Shibraumalisi N.A.; Mohamad F.; Azlan S.M.; Dahlan R.; Ismail I.Z.; Shahar H.K.
Permissive Attitude towards Premarital Sex Among University Students in Malaysia - Does Childhood Abuse Play A Role?
2023
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
19

10.47836/mjmhs.19.s17.7
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85180595659&doi=10.47836%2fmjmhs.19.s17.7&partnerID=40&md5=86639883f019d3ce1bea0adeab004f2d
Introduction: Despite it being culturally forbidden, youth are voluntarily engaging in premarital sex which could lead to poor sexual behaviour in adult life. This nationwide study aimed to determine the prevalence of permissive attitude towards premarital sex among young university students and its associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2021 to December 2021 among students attending higher education institutions in Malaysia using stratified random sampling. A self-administered online questionnaire was used that captured participants' sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of sexual health, childhood abuse, and attitudes toward premarital sex. Data were analysed using SPSS 27. Results: Out of 1171 respondents, 42.4% have demonstrated permissive attitude towards premarital sex. Half had adequate knowledge on sexual health (50.2%). Among the four types of childhood abuse, only emotional abuse (p=0.02) was found more likely (AOR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.30-3.12, p=0.02) to have permissive attitude towards premarital sex. Being a Muslim (p < .001) and living in urban area (p=0.03) were protective factors against having permissive attitude towards premarital sex. Participants who have and adequate knowledge on sexual health (p < .001), smoke or vape (p=0.05) and consume alcohol (p<0.001) were more likely to have permissive attitude towards premarital sex. Conclusion: Childhood abuse, especially emotional abuse, should not be underestimated. Permissiveness regarding premarital sex is of great concern. Permissiveness can lead to risky sexual behaviour. Preventive measures should be taken to promote positive attitudes toward premarital sex and to raise awareness about childhood abuse. © 2023 UPM Press. All rights reserved.
Universiti Putra Malaysia Press
16758544
English
Article
All Open Access; Bronze Open Access
author Mohamad S.N.S.; Kamaruddin K.N.; Shibraumalisi N.A.; Mohamad F.; Azlan S.M.; Dahlan R.; Ismail I.Z.; Shahar H.K.
spellingShingle Mohamad S.N.S.; Kamaruddin K.N.; Shibraumalisi N.A.; Mohamad F.; Azlan S.M.; Dahlan R.; Ismail I.Z.; Shahar H.K.
Permissive Attitude towards Premarital Sex Among University Students in Malaysia - Does Childhood Abuse Play A Role?
author_facet Mohamad S.N.S.; Kamaruddin K.N.; Shibraumalisi N.A.; Mohamad F.; Azlan S.M.; Dahlan R.; Ismail I.Z.; Shahar H.K.
author_sort Mohamad S.N.S.; Kamaruddin K.N.; Shibraumalisi N.A.; Mohamad F.; Azlan S.M.; Dahlan R.; Ismail I.Z.; Shahar H.K.
title Permissive Attitude towards Premarital Sex Among University Students in Malaysia - Does Childhood Abuse Play A Role?
title_short Permissive Attitude towards Premarital Sex Among University Students in Malaysia - Does Childhood Abuse Play A Role?
title_full Permissive Attitude towards Premarital Sex Among University Students in Malaysia - Does Childhood Abuse Play A Role?
title_fullStr Permissive Attitude towards Premarital Sex Among University Students in Malaysia - Does Childhood Abuse Play A Role?
title_full_unstemmed Permissive Attitude towards Premarital Sex Among University Students in Malaysia - Does Childhood Abuse Play A Role?
title_sort Permissive Attitude towards Premarital Sex Among University Students in Malaysia - Does Childhood Abuse Play A Role?
publishDate 2023
container_title Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
container_volume 19
container_issue
doi_str_mv 10.47836/mjmhs.19.s17.7
url https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85180595659&doi=10.47836%2fmjmhs.19.s17.7&partnerID=40&md5=86639883f019d3ce1bea0adeab004f2d
description Introduction: Despite it being culturally forbidden, youth are voluntarily engaging in premarital sex which could lead to poor sexual behaviour in adult life. This nationwide study aimed to determine the prevalence of permissive attitude towards premarital sex among young university students and its associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2021 to December 2021 among students attending higher education institutions in Malaysia using stratified random sampling. A self-administered online questionnaire was used that captured participants' sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of sexual health, childhood abuse, and attitudes toward premarital sex. Data were analysed using SPSS 27. Results: Out of 1171 respondents, 42.4% have demonstrated permissive attitude towards premarital sex. Half had adequate knowledge on sexual health (50.2%). Among the four types of childhood abuse, only emotional abuse (p=0.02) was found more likely (AOR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.30-3.12, p=0.02) to have permissive attitude towards premarital sex. Being a Muslim (p < .001) and living in urban area (p=0.03) were protective factors against having permissive attitude towards premarital sex. Participants who have and adequate knowledge on sexual health (p < .001), smoke or vape (p=0.05) and consume alcohol (p<0.001) were more likely to have permissive attitude towards premarital sex. Conclusion: Childhood abuse, especially emotional abuse, should not be underestimated. Permissiveness regarding premarital sex is of great concern. Permissiveness can lead to risky sexual behaviour. Preventive measures should be taken to promote positive attitudes toward premarital sex and to raise awareness about childhood abuse. © 2023 UPM Press. All rights reserved.
publisher Universiti Putra Malaysia Press
issn 16758544
language English
format Article
accesstype All Open Access; Bronze Open Access
record_format scopus
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