Safe sexual behaviors intention among female youth: The construction on extended theory of planned behavior

Aim: To examine female youth's intentions for safe sex with the relationship partners based on the extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model and explore the direct and indirect impact of parent–child communication about sex, peer interaction related to sexual issues, and exposure to sexually explicit materials on female youth's safe sexual behaviour intentions. Design: A non-experimental, cross-sectional research design. Methods: A convenience sampling was employed for data collection and 731 female youth aged 15–24 years old were recruited in 2013–2014. An anonymous, self-report structured questionnaire was used as a research instrument to collect participants' basic information and measure the internal and additional variables in the extended TPB model. Results: The extended TPB model explained 42–45% of the total variance. Perceived behavioural control (PBC) and subjective norms had a positive effect on female youth's intentions for contraceptive use, condom use, and dual use with relationship partner; PBC was found to have the greatest influence. Among the additional variables in the extended TPB model, more parent–child communication about sex was found to lead to more positive dual use intentions. More peer interaction related to sexual issues was found to lead to less dual use intentions. Conclusions: To improve female youth's sexual health, the priorities are to reinforce their PBC and subjective norms and enhance parent–child communication about sex. Future efforts should strengthen sex education in families and schools and shape a social environment that facilitates safe sex. Impact: The extended TPB model can successfully predict female youth's safe sexual behaviour intentions. Empowering female youth to establish a sense of subjectivity and awareness of being a mature individual with physical autonomy, is importance for their sexual health.