Increase in sexual risk behavior and prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among adolescents in Northern Thailand.

Background: Monitoring changes in adolescent sexual risk behaviors and sexually transmitted infections is critical for evaluating the effectiveness of human immunodeficiency virus and other prevention programs, but population-based data on adolescents in Thailand are limited. We report findings from 2 cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1999 and 2002 among 15-to 21-year-old vocational students.

Methods: In 1999 and 2002, 1725 and 966 students, respectively, were interviewed using computer-assisted self-interview methods.

Sexual initiation, substance use, and sexual behavior and knowledge among vocational students in northern Thailand.

Context: Thailand has undergone dramatic social changes in the last two decades, yet little is known about factors related to sexual initiation among adolescents.

Methods: A survey using the audio computer-assisted self-interviewing method was conducted to assess social and demographic characteristics, substance use, sexual behavior, and knowledge of HIV and STIs among 1,725 vocational school students aged 15-21 living in northern Thailand. Gender differences for these factors were evaluated using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Palmtop-assisted self-interviewing for the collection of sensitive behavioral data: randomized trial with drug use urine testing.

Palmtop-assisted self-interviewing (PASI) may provide a cheaper and more mobile alternative to audio-computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) for collecting sensitive behavioral data. To evaluate PASI, in late 2002 the authors enrolled 1,283 Thai students aged 15-21 years in a randomized trial. Data collection used PASI, ACASI, self-administered questionnaire, and face-to-face interview in combination with drug-use urine testing.

Motorcycle helmet use and related risk behaviors among adolescents and young adults in Northern Thailand.

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of not wearing a helmet (unprotected) while riding a motorcycle and associated risk behaviors among adolescents and young adults in Northern Thailand. Participants were 1725 students, aged 15-21 years, from 3 vocational schools in Chiang Rai Province; 51.8% were male.

The prevalence of bisexual and homosexual orientation and related health risks among adolescents in northern Thailand.

Homo- or bisexual (HB) adolescents may have greater and different health risks than the population of heterosexual adolescents. We assessed sexual orientation and health risk behaviors in 1,725 consenting 15- to 21-year-old vocational school students in northern Thailand. Data were collected using audio-computer-assisted self-interviewing.

Sexual health risks among young Thai women: implications for HIV/STD prevention and contraception.

This paper examines factors that may place female Thai adolescents and young adults at risk for HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and unintended pregnancies. A total of 832 female vocational students participated in a cross-sectional audio-computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) survey after providing informed consent. The questionnaire covered: sociodemographic characteristics; knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs related to HIV and STDs; contraceptive practices; sexual experiences and behaviors; and drug use.

The evolving epidemiology of HIV infection and tuberculosis in northern Thailand.

Objectives: To examine the association between HIV infection and tuberculosis (TB) and the proportion of TB attributable to HIV in Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, in response to a rapidly changing incidence of HIV infection.

Methods: Case-control study covering the period 1990 to 1998. Cases were all new TB patients seen at Chiang Rai Hospital.

Condom use among vocational school students in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Condom use and its psychosocial correlates were investigated in a sample of 1,725 male and female vocational students (aged 15-21 years) in northern Thailand. Consistent condom use was relatively infrequent with all partner types (8.0% with recent steady partners, 28.