SEXUAL HEALTH AMONG YOUTH-AT-RISK IN KUALA LUMPUR

Sexual health is an important element in shaping the well-being of adolescents in addition to physical, intellectual and spiritual health. Therefore, this article is intended to (1) measure the extent of sexual health and (2) identify the influence of factors affecting sexual health among adolescents living in public housing flat projects (PPR) around Kuala Lumpur. The study was conducted using a quantitative cross sectional design involving 244 adolescents. The data were analyzed by using descriptive and stepwise multiple regression test. Descriptive analysis shows that 77.5 percent of adolescents living in PPR show low levels of sexual health and need to be improved. Multiple regression analysis found that the social media useage factor (β = 0.0.215, p <0.05) was a major indicator that affects sexual health among adolescents. The combination of social media usage factor (β = 0.268, p <0.05) and commitment to school (β = 0.235, p <0.05) contributed 5.3 percent variance, fardu ain knowledge factor contributed 1.7 percent variance and combination of three predictor factors has contributed 11.6 percent of the variance to sexual health among adolescents living in PPR. The results are expected to have positive implications in an effort to improve programmes that can improve sexual health among adolescents especially those living in PPR.