earticle

영어

Purpose: This study investigated the predictors of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) among female teenagersin Korea who have had intercourse at least once. Methods: This study is based on the 12th Korea Youth BehaviorWeb-based Survey conducted in April 2016. Data were collected from 798 middle schools and high schools nationwidein Korea and 65,528 students participated. Among the participants, the subjects of this study were 537 femalehigh school students (Grade 10~12). The data were analyzed through complex samples multiple logistic regressionusing SPSS statistics 22. Results: Among the 537 female adolescents, 11.9% replied they had experienced STI. The predictors of STI among the subjects were ‘age at first intercourse’ and ‘sexual intercourse after drinking’. The risk of STI was lower in the middle (OR=0.26, 95% CI=0.10~0.64) and high school (OR=0.11, 95% CI=0.04~0.27) age groups than those who had their first sexual intercourse at an elementary school age. The sexual intercourseafter drinking group had a higher risk of STI, compared to the no sexual relation after drinking group(OR=2.54, 95% CI=1.28~5.07). Conclusion: Practical sex education programs should begin from the elementarystage in order to protect more female adolescents from STI. In addition, sex education including an alcoholprevention program should be considered to lower STI among female adolescents.