Factors affecting sexual intention among adolescents in Kuching Division, Sarawak

Introduction: Understanding factors influencing sexual intention among adolescents is essential in view of the prevalence of sexual conduct among adolescents in Malaysia is increasing in trend. The main goal of the research is to determine the factors affecting social intention among adolescents in Kuching Division using Structural Equation Modelling. Method: Conducted in Kuching Division Sarawak, this is cross-sectional community-based research. This research involved 350 adolescents age between 13 years old to 19 years old student who was recruited randomly through the school's PTA, friends, and family. The respondents will then answer an online-based questionnaire, and the results are analyzed in SPSS and AMOS. Results: This research had found out that the prevalence of sexual intention among adolescents is -72.9%, which is higher than a few studies conducted in West Malaysia. There are significantly different levels of social media usage among male and female respondents. Females (M=20.54, SD= 5.66) have a higher score compared to males (M=20.00, SD= 6.40); t(323)= -0.78, p=0.0 14. Other than that, there are significant differences in the level of permissive attitude toward premarital sex with females (M=20.54, SD=3.05) have a higher permissible level compared to males (M=16.04; SD=3.86); t(323)= -4.42, p=0.007. In other domain, female respondents (M=17.23, SD=3.52) are significantly higher perception of social norm on premarital sex compared to the male respondents (M=15.90, SD=4.12); t(323)= - 3.137, p=0.039. During the analysis, the level of perceived parental monitoring is significantly higher in the group above 17-years-old(M=16.71, SD=4.04) compared to the group below 18-years-old (M=15.66, SD=4.65); t(225.08)=-4.31, p=0.010. Other than that, they are also significant differences in the level of permissive attitude toward premarital sex with the group above 17-years-old (M= 17.52, SD=3.06) have a higher permissible level compared to below 18-years-old group (M= 16.07, SD=4.08); t(199.95)= -2.40, p=0.001. Participants are given a link for a self-administered questionnaire in January to May 2020. The structural equation model supported only two significant predictors, which is the perception of self-efficacy on performing a sexual activity (f3=0.020, p=0.002) and permissive attitude towards premarital sex (0=0.175, p