Sexual Health Behavior among Indonesian Immigrant Students in Community Learning Centers: A Multi-Dimensional Analysis
Abstract
Indonesian immigrant adolescents face unique challenges in sexual health development due to cultural transitions and limited access to comprehensive health education. This cross-sectional study examined the multi-dimensional nature of sexual health behaviors among 428 Indonesian immigrant students in Community Learning Centers across Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia, using a comprehensive 31-dimensional assessment instrument covering physical, psychological, social, moral, and knowledge domains. Results revealed that participants demonstrated generally positive sexual health behaviors across all five major domains, yet significant variations emerged. The Knowledge domain showed the highest proportion of unhealthy behaviors at 33.9% (n=145), followed by the Physical domain at 17.5% (n=75). Most concerning was the moral implementation gap, where 54% (n=231) of students struggled to translate moral awareness into consistent behavioral practices despite excellent value appreciation (99% healthy). In contrast, Social (98% healthy) and Psychological (97% healthy) domains showed exceptional outcomes, indicating successful cultural adaptation and peer integration. These findings reveal a unique "strong foundation, critical gaps" profile characterized by excellent social integration and psychological adaptation alongside specific knowledge deficits and moral implementation challenges. The results support targeted, strength-based interventions rather than broad-based sexual health education programs, with immediate priorities including moral implementation skill development, comprehensive sexual health knowledge education, and pregnancy prevention programming.
