Factors Associated with Exposure to Sexual Content on Social Media among Senior High School Students, Nonthaburi Province

Abstract

Exposure to sexual content on social media among adolescences is a significant problem leading to sexual intercourse and teenage pregnancy. This survey research aimed to study social media exposure on sexual content and its related factors among senior high school students. The 390 senior high school students of the secondary school in Nonthaburi Province were selected using multistage sampling. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain the data. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were employed to analyze the association between the study variables and the appropriate exposure to sexual content on social media. The results showed that 34.1% of the respondents were at an inappropriate level of exposure to sexual content on social media, while 65.9% were at an appropriate level. Logistic regression analysis showed only four factors associating significantly with and predicting the appropriate - being female (Odds ratios=4.69, 95%CI=2.6-8.6), high level of knowledge of using social media (Odds ratios=2.3; 95%CI=1.3-4.1), positive attitude toward exposure (Odds ratios=3.9; 95%CI=2.1-7.4), and less skill of access to media (Odds ratios=2.5; 95%CI=1.3-4.7). The findings suggested the needs of school health education intervention regarding health education instruction which focuses on the enhancement of knowledge and attitude leading to literate exposure, as well as the promotion of positive use of social media particularly among students with skillful access.