Background: Globally, adolescent sexual behavior is a
major health concern and the focus of many researches. However, negative
attitude towards premarital sex and sense of community belonging have not been
examined in relation to adolescent sexual behavior. The purpose of this study
was to examine whether these two factors are associated with adolescent sexual behavior.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1672 eleventhgrade students from three public high schools in
Hanoi, Vietnam. Participants’ sense of community belonging and negative
attitude towards premarital sex were assessed through a self-administered
questionnaire. We performed multiple logistic regression analyses to examine
associations between the cognitive social capital concepts, such as a sense of
community belonging. Results: 92.3% of students agreed with a sense of
community belonging, but only 14.1% of students accepted premarital sex. A high
sense of community belonging was significantly associated with negative
attitude towards premarital sex OR (95%CI), male 3.16 (2.3-4.34), female 8.77 (5.38-14.29). After adjusting
for a sense of community belonging, the association disappeared between
acceptance of premarital sex and sexual experience of peers, proper time to
wear a condom, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale score. Conclusion: Cognitive
social capital, such as sense of community belonging, was associated with negative
attitude towards premarital sex. Therefore, cognitive social capital concepts
should be included in sexual behavior and health promotions, especially
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