The Relationship Between Health Literacy and Premature Pregnancy Prevention Behavior Among High School Female Students Kumphawapi District, Udon Thani Province

Abstract

This mixed-method research aimed to study the relationship between health literacy and premature pregnancy prevention behavior among high school female students in Kumphawapi district, Udon Thani province. Quantitative data were collected from 296 female students, selected by using the multi-stage random sampling method for answering the questionnaire. The quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Multiple Linear Regression analysis. Specific qualitative data was also collected from 13 female students who participated in the interview, the qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. From this research, it was found that the important factor was the decision-making process that could affect the pregnancy prevention behavior of students. The study of qualitative data has shown that family relationships, parenting model teaching sex in families and schools by providing open communication about sexuality, students can think critically and make decisions about appropriate pregnancy prevention behaviors. Thus, health literacy using positive communication and cooperative activities of students, parents, and teachers should be developed to create the discussing opportunity and strong relationships. Consequently, students could have appropriate sexual behavior in the future.