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This pa per ex amines sub stance use (smoking or drinking) and pre marital sex among adolescents (aged 15 to 19) in Indonesia, Ne pal, the Philippines and Thai land. The prevalence among ad o les cents and the factors associated with the initiation of these behaviours during adolescence are analysed. Large proportions of male ad o les cents have experiences of using substances, ranging from 30 per cent in Ne pal to 78 per cent in Indonesia. The pro portions are much lower among female adolescents, ranging from 7 percent in Indonesia to 40 percent in Thailand. The proportions of male adolescents who have experienced pre marital sex range from 7 per cent in Indonesia to 28 per cent in Thailand. In all four countries, less than 5 percent of female adolescents report ever having experienced premarital sex. Over all, the initiation of sub stance use during adolescence is positively associated with socio-economic development factors such as urban exposure and high level of mother’s education. Sub stance use is also positively associated with indicators of transition to adult hood such as leaving school and leaving the parental home. A close relationship among family members tends to protect adolescents from initiating substance use or premarital sex. Religiously active adolescents in the Philippines and Thailand have a low probability of initiating sub stance use or pre marital sex. Having initiated substance use increases the probability of initiating premarital sex in the Philippines and Thailand during adolescence.

Asia-Pacific Population Journal Volume 19 was released in 2004.

  • Volume 19 No. 1
  • Volume 19 No. 2
  • Volume 19 No. 3
  • Volume 19 No. 4
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