Informal sexual relationship-associated factors among young adult smartphone users in South of Iran: a cross-sectional study

With the unprecedented pace of modernization, risky sexual behaviors have become more frequent in developing countries, such as Iran. We aimed to assess the prevalence of informal sexual relationship (ISR) and factors associated with having ISR in young adult in Iran. This cross-sectional study was...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC Psychology 2023-04, Vol.11 (1), p.131-131, Article 131
Main Authors: Joulaei, Hassan, Khaksar, Elahe, Ghorbani, Mohammad, Rahmanipour, Elham, Zarei, Nooshin, Foroozanfar, Zohre
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Cross-Sectional Studies
Developing countries
Health aspects
Humans
Influence
Iran
Iran - epidemiology
Loneliness
Mobile Applications
Psychological aspects
Religious beliefs
Sex
Sexual Behavior
Smart phones
Smartphone
Smartphones
Social aspects
Social networks
Teenagers
Young Adult
Young adults
Youth
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Summary:With the unprecedented pace of modernization, risky sexual behaviors have become more frequent in developing countries, such as Iran. We aimed to assess the prevalence of informal sexual relationship (ISR) and factors associated with having ISR in young adult in Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 414 young adult smartphone users in Iran, in 2019. Data was collected through an online questionnaire (including: ISR, socio-demographic variables, their use of social network, religious beliefs, personality, and loneliness). Logistic regression model was used to determine factors related to ISR. A total of 152 (36.7%; 95% CI 32.1-45.6) participants reported having ISR. Finding an opposite-sex friend through a mobile app (OR = 2.59, 95% CI 1.34, 5.01), being currently sexually active (OR = 2.39, 95% CI 1.26, 4.56), higher scores of extroverted personality (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.01, 1.27), and closer relationship with parents (OR = 3.17, 95% CI 2.25, 8.02) were found to be associated with having ISR. Additionally, living in small cities rather than the provincial capital (OR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.10, 0.49) had a reverse association with having ISR. This study illustrated the high prevalence of ISR and its association with increased duration of internet and mobile app use. Innovative and multidisciplinary approaches could be recommended in this regard.
ISSN:2050-7283
2050-7283
DOI:10.1186/s40359-023-01179-2