A structural equation modeling of reproductive health promoting behaviors among female adolescents in the Philippines

Abstract

Aims: Integrated reproductive health promoting behaviors, including safe sexual intercourse, preventing sexually transmitted diseases, sexual responsibility, and genital health management, are essential for adolescents in developing countries. The Philippines is currently facing several reproductive health threats. The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting reproductive health promoting behaviors based on a theoretical model using structural equation modeling.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study and a structural equation modeling, a total of 227 female adolescents in the Philippines participated in a self-reported questionnaire survey.

Results: The results indicated that reproductive health knowledge (β = .14, p = .033), attitudes regarding reproductive health behaviors (β = .31, p = .027), and reproductive health self-efficacy (β = .31, p = .002) influenced participants' reproductive health promoting behaviors. Social norms (β = .31, p = .021) influenced reproductive health self-efficacy and indirectly influenced reproductive health promoting behaviors. Attitude toward gender roles (β = .20, p = .020) was associated with reproductive health knowledge.

Conclusions: This study confirmed the direct effect of reproductive health knowledge, attitudes regarding reproductive behaviors, and reproductive health self-efficacy, as well as the indirect effect of social norms, on reproductive health promoting behaviors using structural equation modeling.