Peer-reviewed article
Sexual abstinence and associated factors among Myanmar youths: evidence from the Myanmar demographic and health survey 2015-16.
Hlaing YSY, Siewchaisakul P, Chautrakarn S ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study analyzed data from 4,573 Myanmar youth aged 15-24 to understand sexual abstinence and its associated factors. The research found that 71.2% of young people in Myanmar were sexually abstinent. Several factors were associated with abstinence, including higher education level, employment, wealth, and media access, while younger age, female gender, tobacco use, and higher HIV awareness were associated with reduced abstinence. The findings suggest interventions should focus on school retention, addressing economic disadvantage, and integrating substance-use prevention into sexual and reproductive health programs.
Key points
- 71.2% of Myanmar youths aged 15-24 were sexually abstinent
- Higher education level (AOR = 2.24) and employment (AOR = 1.55) were associated with increased abstinence
- Higher wealth index (AORs = 1.59-2.73) and access to media (AOR = 1.24) were associated with increased abstinence
- Age 15-19 years (AOR = 0.13) and female gender (AOR = 0.69) were associated with reduced abstinence
- Current tobacco use (AOR = 0.54) and higher HIV/AIDS awareness were associated with reduced abstinence
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional study based on self-reported survey data, which cannot establish causation between the associated factors and sexual abstinence. The study does not explain the mechanisms behind these associations or capture important contextual factors that may influence youth sexual behavior.
Abstract
Objectives Myanmar's youth's sexual behavior is a strong predictor of public health outcomes, particularly sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, and unintended pregnancies. Although abstaining from sex is a widely promoted preventive measure, there is little evidence among Myanmar's young people. This study sought to determine the prevalence of sexual abstinence and its associated factors. Methods This retrospective study analyzed data from the 2015-2016 Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) to determine the prevalence of sexual abstinence and associated factors. The sample included 4,573 young people aged 15-24. Descriptive statistics, Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used, with a significance of p-value < 0.05. Results The findings indicated that 71.2% of Myanmar youths were sexually abstinent. Multiple logistic regression revealed that age 15-19 years (AOR = 0.13), females (AOR = 0.69), current tobacco use (AOR = 0.54), and moderate to high HIV/AIDS awareness level (AOR = 0.75, 0.73) were associated with reduced probabilities of sexual abstinence. Higher education level (AOR = 2.24), employment (AOR = 1.55), higher wealth index (AORs = 1.59-2.73), and access to media (AOR = 1.24) were associated with increased probabilities of sexual abstinence. Conclusion These findings suggest the need for interventions that support school retention, address socioeconomic disadvantage, promote positive media engagement, and integrate substance-use prevention within sexual and reproductive health initiatives aimed at youths in Myanmar.