A Systematic Review on Adolescents’ Premarital Sexual Behaviour In Malaysia

Abstract Background: Premarital sexual behaviours among adolescents and the associated negative consequences of teenage pregnancy is an increasing public health concerns in Malaysia. Despite the extensive research related to sexual and reproductive health of adolescents, the problems remain reflecting the possible poor understanding of the underlying causes contribute to the problem. This systematic review is aimed at critically evaluating the available evidence on the contributing factors related to premarital sexual behaviours among adolescents in Malaysia. Methods: Five databases; Scopus, MEDLINE/ PubMed, CINAHL, Science Direct and Google Scholar were utilized to systematically searched related articles up to July 2018. Searching involved local quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies with premarital sexual behaviours among adolescents in Malaysia being the primary outcome. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed study risks of bias.Results: We identified 1762 articles, of which only nine articles were included, which was dominated by six cross sectional studies. A total of 41 939 adolescents aged between 12 to 19 years old were included in this review. The prevalence of premarital sexual behaviours among adolescents was ranging between 2.9% to 8.3%, reported by history of ever had sex. Religiosity, attitude towards sexual urge (pornography and masturbation), high-risk behaviours (bullying, smoking and substance intake – alcohol and drugs) and parents-peers influence were main contributing factors identified to associate with premarital sexual behaviours.Conclusion: Negative attitude towards sexual urge and involvement in high risk behaviours put adolescents at higher risk of premarital sexual behaviour, while religious beliefs and reciprocal relationship between parents and peers influence may act as protective factors. However, more qualitative, and mixed methods studies needed to get in-depth understanding on the relationship between these factors and premarital sexual behaviours.