Pre-marital Sex Behavior and Marriage Plans among Papuan and non-Papuan High School Students

Abstract

Early marriage is a persistent public health issue in Papua, shaped by cultural norms, socio-economic conditions, and adolescent sexual behaviors. This study examines factors influencing marriage plans among Papuan and non-Papuan adolescents. A cross-sectional study using primary data was conducted in five Senior High Schools (SMA) spread across Jayapura City and Regency. The sample consisted of students aged between 15 and 17 years, totaling 237 people, using an accidental sampling technique. The data were analyzed using a logistic regression model of the risk factor in STATA 16. Results: The proportion of students who had a plan to marry at the ideal age in both Papuan and non-Papuan tribes was 78.4% and 76.9%, the behavior of having sex before marriage was a factor that supported Papuan students to plan marriage (AOR:0.35; 95%CI:0.11-1. 07) after controlling for gender, while non-Papuan students who did not have sex before marriage had a 2.41 times greater chance of being able to plan to marry at the ideal age (AOR:2.42, 95%CI:1.04-5.56) after controlling for the variable of residence. Conclusion: Not having sex before marriage is one of the steps for adolescents to be able to plan their future, including marriage.