Addressing the Unmet Need for Family Planning Among the Young ...

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19 Sep 2012 ... Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic state is the world's third most populous ..... Nonetheless research shows that dating and premarital sex among Indonesia youths is ..... Reproduksi Remaja (PIPR) or Youth Centers.
UNFPA-­‐ICOMP  Workshop  on   Operationalizing  the  Call  for  Elimination  of  Unmet  Need   for  Family  Planning  in  Asia  and  the  Pacific  Region   18-­‐19  September  2012   The  Imperial  Queen’s  Park  Hotel,  Bangkok  

Addressing the Unmet Need for Family Planning Among the Young People in Indonesia Prepared by: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mary Huang Soo Lee Ms Lim Shiang Cheng

 

       

       

Asia and the Pacific Regional Office

    1  

International  Council  on  Management  of   Population  Programmes  

  1. National  Overview     Indonesia,   the   world’s   largest   archipelagic   state   is   the   world’s   third   most   populous   democracy   and   home   to   the   largest   Muslim   population   in   the   world.   Total   population   was  estimated  to  be  234.2   million   in   2010.   The   people   are   unevenly   dispersed   over  17,508  islands  although  there  are  five  main  islands,  namely,  Sumatra,  Java,   Kalimantan,   Sulawesi   and   Irian   Jaya   or   Papua,   bordering   with   Papua   New   Guinea.   By   religion,   86.1%   are   Muslims.     Ethnic   groups   include   Javanese   who   make   up   40.6%,   Sundanese   (15%),   Madurese   (3.3%),   Minangkabau   (2.7%),   Betawi   (2.4%),   Bugis  (2.4%),  Banten  (2%),  Banjar  (1.7%),  other  or  unspecified  groups  (29.9%)1.  Bahasa   Indonesia  is  the  official  language.  While  the  majority  of  people  live  in  rural  areas  (56%)   Indonesia   like   most   countries   in   South-­‐East   Asia   has   been   experiencing   fast   growing   rural   urban   migration   especially   among   the   younger   population.   GDP   per   capita   was   $3,469  in  2011  and  is  fast  increasing2.         Table  1:  Country  Context     Size  of  population   Population  Growth  (%)   Ethnic  groups  

Religions   Languages  

234.2  million   1.183   Javanese   (40.6%),   Sundanese   (15%),   Madurese   (3.3%),   Minangkabau   (2.7%),   Betawi   (2.4%),   Bugis   (2.4%),   Banten   (2%),   Banjar  (1.7%),  other  or  unspecified  (29.9%)4   Muslim   (86.1%),   Protestant   (5.7%),   Roman   Catholic   (3%),   Hindu   (1.8%),   other   or   unspecified  (3.4%)5   Bahasa  Indonesia  (official,  modified  form  of   Malay),   English,   Dutch,   local   dialects   (the   most  widely  spoken  of  which  is  Javanese)6   Table  1:  Country  Context  (Continued)  

                                                                                                                        1

 CIA,  The  World  Factbook,  Indonesia,  website,  date  accessed  2  March  2012.    The  World  Bank.  Indonesia,  website,  date  accessed  18  march  2012.   http://data.worldbank.org/country/indonesia   2

3

 Ibid  1.    Ibid  1.   5  Ibid  1.   6  Ibid  1.   4

2  

  Population   living   below   the   national   poverty  line  (%)   Crude  birth  rate  (per  1000  population)     Crude  death  rate  (per  1000  population)   Life  expectancy  at  birth  (years)   Total  Fertility  rate   Contraceptive  prevalence  rate  for  women   (ages  15-­‐49)   Maternal  mortality  ratio     Infant  mortality  rate     HIV  prevalence  rate  (15  –  49)   HIV  prevalence  in  vulnerable  groups  

137   198   79   71.6210   2.2311   5612   22813  (per  100,000  live  births)   26.9914  (per  1,000  life  births)   0.215   Direct  Sex  Workers  (10.4%),  Indirect  Sex   Workers  (4.6%),  Transgender  (24.4  %),   MSM  (5.2%),  Injecting  Drug  Users  (52.4%)16  

                        2. Socio-­‐demographic  Profile  of  Young  People                                                                                                                           7

 Ministry   of   National   Development   Planning/National   Development   Planning   Agency.   (2010).   Report   on   the   Achievement  of  the  Millennium  Development  Goals  in  Indonesia  2010.       8  The  World  Bank.  Birth  rate,  crude  (per  1,000  people).  website,  date  accessed  18  march  2012.   http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.CBRT.IN   9  The  World  Bank.  Death  rate,  crude  (per  1,000  people).  website,  date  accessed  18  march  2012.   http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.CDRT.IN   10  Ibid  1.   11  Ibid  1.   12  Ibid  2.   13  Ibid  8.   14  Ibid  1.   15  Ibid  1.   16  Jakarta  (Indonesia):  Ministry  of  Health  (MoH),  National  AIDS  Commision  (NAC),  and  Family  Health  International   (FHI)—Aksi  Stop  AIDS  (ASA).  (2007).  Program  Integrated  Biological-­‐Behavioral  Surveillance  of  Most-­‐at-­‐Risk-­‐Groups   (MARG).  

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  Indonesia  has  a  relatively  young  population  with  median  age  of  27.7  years  for  males  and   28.7   years   for   females.   However   distribution   of   the   population   by   age   groups   translates   into   more   than   21   million   aged   between   10   and   14,   21.6   million   from   15   to   19   and   21.5   million  aged  19  to  24.    As  a  percentage  of  the  total  population,  young  people  aged  10  to   24   made   up   26.6%   of   the   total   population   of   Indonesia.   A   detail   analysis   of   the   total   population  of  young  people  reflects  slight  declines  in  fertility  levels  since  the  beginning   of  this  millennium.    As  is  evident  from  figure  1,  total  population  of  young  people  aged   ten   to   twenty-­‐four   was   around   24   million   in   1950   and   it   increased   steadily   until   it   reached   a   peak   at   around   65.8   million   in   2000   but   since   then   it   has   begun   to   decline   slowly.         Figure  1:  Total  Population  of  Young  People  10  to  2417       Estimated Population aged 10-24 (thousand), 1950 - 2010

70000 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0 1950

      2.1

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2010

 

Literacy  Rate  

                                                                                                                        17

 United  Nations,  Department  of  Economic  and  Social  Affairs,  Population  Division  (2011).  World  Population  Prospects:   The  2010  Revision,  CD-­‐ROM  Edition  

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  Literacy  rates  have  improved  over  the  past  decade  as  reflected  in  the  literacy  rate  of  the   young   people   aged   15   to   19   and   those   20   to   24   (Figure   2).     Among   youths   age   15   to   19,   literacy   rate   increased   from   99.55%   to   99.63%   between   2009   and   2010.   These   rates   are   also  a  little  higher  than  that  of  those  aged  20  to  24.  Although  data  from  the  Statistical   Year  Book  of  Indonesia  (2011)  showed  that  less  than  1%  were  illiterate,  when  translated   into  numbers  the  figure  can  be  quite  large  because  of  the  size  of  the  total  population.   Nonetheless  the  EFA  Global  Monitoring  Report  (2010)  by  UNESCO  reported  that  in  2010   the  number  of  illiterate  youths  15  to  24  was   projected  to  decline  from  1.4  million  to  1.1   million  by  2015  (Figure  3).         Figure  2:  Youth  Literacy  Rate18     Youth (aged 15 - 24) Literacy Rate, 2009 to 2010 99.7 99.6

(%)

99.5 99.4 99.3 99.2 99.1

2009

2010

15-19

99.55

99.63

20-24

99.28

99.42

          Figure  3:  Total  Numbers  of  Youth  Illiterates,  1985  –  2015  (Projected)19                                                                                                                             18

 Ibid  3.    UNESCO.  EFA  Global  Monitoring  Report  2010  -­‐  Reaching  the  marginalized.  

19

5  

 

Total Numbers of Youth Illiterates (15-24) 1600 1400

(Thousand)

1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0

1985 - 1994

2000 - 2007

Projected 2015

Total

1421

1431

1099

Male

497.3

644

604.4

Female

923.7

787

494.6

 

    2.2 Youth  Unemployment     Youth  unemployment  remains  a  major  challenge  for  the  country  despite  the  economic   progress  the  country  has  been  chalking  up  in  recent  years.  World  Bank  in  2011  warned   that   youth   unemployment   in   Indonesia   was   higher   than   average   national   unemployment   rates.   While   in   most   countries   youth   unemployment   is   two   to   three   times   as   high   as   that   of   the   average   population   (estimated   to   be   7   to   8   percent),   unemployment   among   those   aged   19   to   24   was   30%20.   This   has   huge   implications   on   social  problems  including  delayed  marriage  (due  to  lack  of  employment),  and  increase   risk  of  premarital  sex.           3. Reproductive  Health  Status     3.1 Age  at  First  Marriage                                                                                                                             20

 Jakarta   Globe   (27   March   2011).   High   Rate   of   Youth   Unemployment   Presents   Big   Challenge:   World   Bank.   http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/bisindonesia/high-­‐rate-­‐of-­‐youth-­‐unemployment-­‐presents-­‐big-­‐challenge-­‐world-­‐ bank/431663  

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Over  the  past  few  decades  the  mean  age  at  first  marriage  of  females  aged  25  to  49  has   increased   from   17.1   years   in   1991   to   19.6   years   in   2007,   an   increase   of   2.5   years   (UNESCO,  2010)  and  although  data  reflect  an  increasing  trend,  the  fact  is  that  that  9%  of   Indonesian   girls   are   married   in   their   teens 21 .   Being   such   a   huge   country   it   is   not   surprising   that   provincial   differences   in   percentage   of   teenage   marriages   are   evident.   Jones  and  Gubhaju  also  revealed  that  while  teenage  marriages  are  not  common  in  the   more  urbanized  areas  of  Jakarta,  North  and  West  Sumatra  and  the  Riau  Islands  it  cannot   be   said   of   other   parts   of   the   country   especially   South   Kalimantan,   Central   Sulawesi,   Papua,  Bangka  Belintung,  West  Nusatenggara  Gorontalo  and  East  Java.  Early  marriage  in   the   rural   areas   is   common,   partly   due   to   poor   access   to   education   and   poverty.   This   difference   has   resulted   in   19%   of   urban   girls   giving   birth   before   20   compared   to   40%   among  their  rural  counterparts.  The  Indonesian  demographic  and  health  survey  2002  -­‐ 2003  reported  that  the  median  age  at  first  marriage  for  girls  was  20.2  years.  Trends  in   proportions   of   females   15-­‐19   years   old   currently   married   in   Indonesia   between   1990   and  2005  shows  a  very  slow  downward  trend  with  the  proportion  from  around  17%  to   14%  in  200522.                         Figure  4:  Mean  Age  at  First  Marriage23    

                                                                                                                        21

 Jones   G.   W   and   Bina   Gubhaju   (2008)   “Trends   in   Age   at   Marriage   In   the   Provinces   of   Indonesia.”   Asia   Research   Institute  ,  University  of  Singapore   22  Blanc    A.K.,  Tsui  A.  O.,  Croft  T.N.,  &  Trevitt  J.  L.,  Trends  in  Contraceptive  Use  and  Discontinuation  among  Adolescents:     A  Multi-­‐Country  Comparison.   23  Statistics   Indonesia,   National   Family   Planning   Coordinating   Board,   Ministry   of   Health,  Jakarta,   Indonesia   and   Macro   International  Calverton,  Maryland  USA.  Indonesia  Demographic  and  Health  Survey  1991,  1997,  2002-­‐2003  and  2007.  

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Mean Age at First Marriage (Female aged 25 - 49), Indonesia, 1991 - 2007 20.5 20 19.5 19 Age

18.5 18 17.5 17 16.5 16 15.5

Female

1991

1997

2002-2003

2007

17.1

18.6

19.2

19.8

 

    3.2 Youth  Fertility  Rate     In   Indonesia   the   median   age   at   first   birth   was   only   21.5   years   in   2007   (Indonesian   Demographic   and   Health   Survey   2007).   According   to   the   same   report,   9   %   of   women   aged   15   to   19   had   started   childbearing,   with   7   %   of   them   had   had   a   live   birth,   and   2   percent   were   pregnant   with   their   first   child   when   the   survey   was   conducted.   Such   figures   are   not   surprising   in   a   country   where   most   of   the   population   is   Muslims   and   there   is   a   cultural   expectation   for   brides   to   get   pregnant   soon   after   marriage.   Nonetheless  a  comparison  of  the  adolescent  fertility  rates  measured  over  four  surveys,   1991,   1994,   2002/2003   and   2007   reveals   a   downward   trend   declining   the   fastest   between  1997  and  2007  when  the  adolescent  fertility  rates  reduced  by  almost  half  from   62  to  36  per  1,000  women  aged  15  to  19.  The  2007  DHS  report  also  found  that  youths   from  rural  areas  and  those  with  lesser  education  were  more  likely  to  start  childbearing   earlier  than  urban  and  better-­‐educated  women  and  this  is  an  issue  that  certainly  needs   attention.             Figure  5:  Adolescent  fertility  rate  (the  number  of  births  per  1,000  women  ages  15-­‐19)24                                                                                                                               24

 Ibid  23.  

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80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Adolescent Fertility Rate

1991

1994

1997

2002/03

2007

67

61

62

51

35

 

    3.3 Abortion  in  Indonesia       Although   reliable   evidence   of   abortion   does   not   exist,   researchers   estimated   that   about   two   million   induced   abortions   occur   each   year   in   Indonesia   and   deaths   from   unsafe   abortion   represent   14–16%   of   all   maternal   deaths   in   Southeast   Asia25.   It   is   estimated   that   in   Indonesia   because   abortion   is   illegal   and   is   often   performed   under   unsafe   conditions  15-­‐30%  of  the  maternal  mortality  is  the  result  of  unsafe  abortion26.      The  same  Guttmacher  Institute’s  Brief  also  reported  that  most  of  those  who  went  for   abortion   were   married   adults   and   educated   with   unmet   need   for   contraception.   Among   married   women   who   sought   abortion   their   reasons   included   unmet   need   for   contraception,   contraceptive   failure   as   well   as   having   completed   their   desired   family   size.  Unmarried  women  who  went  for  abortion  often  cited  the  desire  to  complete  their   education   as   the   reason.   By   age,   8%   were   below   19   years   compared   to   46%   between   the   ages   20   to   29   and   37%   aged   30   to   39.   In   urban   areas,   85%   of   abortions   were   performed   by   trained   personnel   the   other   15%   were   attributed   to   traditional   birth   attendants.    On  the  other  hand,  80%  of  all  abortions  in  the  rural  areas  were  performed   by  traditional  birth  attendants.  The  problem  is  also  accentuated  by  the  fact  that  nearly   half   of   all   women   seeking   abortion   go   to   traditional   birth   attendants,   traditional   healers                                                                                                                           25

 Sedgh  G  and  Ball  H,  Abortion  in  Indonesia,  In  Brief,  New  York:  Guttmacher  Institute,  2008,  No.  2.    The  Department  of  Family  and  Community  Health,  World  Health  Organization,  Regional  Office  for  South-­‐East  Asia.   WHO,  Family  Planning  and  Indonesia  An  Overview.     http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Family_Planning_Fact_Sheets_indonesia.pdf   26

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or   masseurs   first   and   methods   used   ranged   from   herbal   remedies   (Jamu),   abortive   massage,  injectable  abortifacient,  foreign  objects  or  preparation  inserted  into  the  womb   and  acupuncture.         4. Knowledge  of  Sexual  and  Reproductive  Health     In   general   young   Indonesians,   those   aged   20   to   24   know   more   about   reproductive   health  changes  than  their  younger  15  to  19  counterparts27and  between  the  two  surveys   there   was   consistent   pattern   of   change   in   the   percentage   of   those   who   knew   the   answers  to  various  statements  on  reproductive  health.  Taken  as  a  whole  the  percentage   of  males  who  did  not  know  any  sign  of  change  in  the  male  body  at  puberty,  remained  at   17.3%   between   2002/03   and   2007.   However   fewer   females   were   quoted   to   say   that   they  did  not  know  any  sign  of  change  in  the  male  body  (2.01%  to  18.1%).  The  pattern   was  also  similar  with  knowledge  about  the  female  body.  At  any  rate  it  was  also  apparent   that   more   young   men   knew   about   wet   dreams   than   their   female   counterparts   while   more  females  knew  more  about  menstruation  than  the  males  (refer  to  Table  2).       Knowledge   about   pregnancy,   contraception   and   STIs   among   Indonesian   youths   age   15   to  19  and  20  to  24  between  02/03  and  07  followed  the  same  pattern  as  their  knowledge   on   reproductive   health   changes   (Table   3).   There   was   no   significant   difference   in   knowledge   of   fertile   period,   risk   of   pregnancy,   contraceptive   methods   syphilis,   gonorrhea   as   well   as   genital   warts,   by   gender   as   well   as   over   the   two   time   periods.   However  many  more  females  (70%)  than  males  (63%)  had  no  knowledge  of  symptoms   of  STIs.             Table  2:    Knowledge  of  Physical  Changes  at  Puberty  -­‐  Percentage  of  Unmarried   Women  and  Men  Age  15-­‐24  Who  Know  of  Specific  Physical  Changes  in  a  Boy   and  a  Girl  at  Puberty,  By  Age28     Indicator   of   Physical   Females   Males                                                                                                                           27

 BPS-­‐Statistics  Indonesia,  National  Family  Planning  Coordinating  Board,  Ministry  of  Health,  Jakarta  Indonesia  and   ORC  Macro  Calverton,  Maryland  USA.  Indonesia  young  Adult  Reproductive  Health  survey,  2002-­‐2003  and  2007   28  Ibid  27.  

10  

15  -­‐  19  

Changes  

02/   03  

In  a  Male     Developed  muscles  

07  

20-­‐24   02/   03  

Total  

07  

02/   03  

07  

15  -­‐  19   02/   03  

07  

20-­‐24   02/   03  

07  

Total   02/   03  

07  

26.3   21.9   27.2   24.0   26.8   22.6   33.1   22.4   30.4   24.9   32.0   23.4  

Change  in  voice     Growth  of  facial  hair,  pubic   hair,  or  hair  on  chest,  legs,   and  arms   Increase  in  sexual  arousal   Wet  dreams  

52.2   52.6   65.6   59.7   56.7   54.8   35.5   32.9   44.6   37.6   39.2   34.7   24.8   30.5   32.8   35.2   27.4   31.9   29.3   35.3   35.1   40.5   31.7   37.3  

Growth  of  Adam’s  apple   Hardening  of  nipples   Others  

20.9   29.7   28.3   32.0   23.4   30.4   10.7   10.2   10.4   12.0   10.5   10.9   0.3   0.4   0.6   0.4   0.4   0.4   0.3   0.4   0.6   0.7   0.4   0.5   13.2   21.2   13.4   18.9   13.3   20.5   16.5   25.3   17.0   24.2   16.7   24.9  

Don’t  know  any  signs   In  a  Female   Growth  of  pubic  hair  and   underarm  hair   Growth  in  breasts   Growth  in  hips   Increase  in  sexual  arousal   Menstruation   Other   Don’t  know  any  signs    

24.0   18.9   14.7   16.1   21.0   18.1   19.7   18.5   13.5   15.6   17.1   17.3  

6.3   5.3   5.9   4.3   6.2   5.0   9.5   5.4   16.6   7.9   12.4   6.4   12.4   16.1   16.8   18.5   13.8   16.8   25.5   23.8   28.6   25.4   26.8   24.4  

17.0   17.1   19.9   18.1   18.0   17.4   11.2   12.6   16.9   14.7   13.5   13.4   52.1   18.3   6.3   68.5   16.4   12.0  

53.5   16.6   5.2   75.4   6.2   13.5  

58.7   19.1   9.3   72.7   14.9   8.2  

60.3   15.4   4.3   77.9   5.7   12.7  

54.3   18.6   7.3   69.9   15.9   10.7  

55.6   16.2   4.9   76.2   6.0   13.3  

47.4   13.4   5.5   32.3   7.3   30.6  

46.8   10.0   2.7   31.8   2.2   9.8  

51.9   16.3   10.3   42.2   7.5   24.3  

52.9   13.5   4.6   36.8   1.7   10.8  

49.3   14.6   7.5   36.5   7.4   28.0  

49.2   11.4   3.4   33.7   2.0   10.2  

                      Table  3:  Percentage  of  Indonesian  Youth  (Unmarried)  With  Correct  Responses  on   Fertile  Period,  Risk  of  Pregnancy  and  STI  by  Gender29  

  Knowledge    

Unmarried  Females   15-­‐19   20-­‐24   Total   02/03   07  

02/03  

07  

02/03  

                                                                                                                        29

 Ibid  27  

11  

Unmarried  Males   15-­‐19   20-­‐24   Total   07  

02/03   07  

02/03   07  

02/03  

07  

Fertile  period  –   halfway  between   periods   Risk  of  Pregnancy-­‐  a   woman  can  become   pregnant  after  one   instance  of  sexual   intercourse   Contraceptive   method  –  any   method   Contraceptive   method  –modern   method   Heard  of  STIs  -­‐   Syphilis   Heard  of  STIs  -­‐   Gonorrhea   Heard  of  STIs  –   Genital  herpes   No  knowledge  of   symptoms  of  STIs  

27.9   23.6  

30.7   30.1  

29.0  

25.8  

26.4   20.3    

38.0   20.7  

32.2  

20.5  

45.5   54.6  

57.6   56.5  

 

 

41.0   49.8  

51.8   55.2  

 

 

93.2   95.6    

97.5   97.8  

94.6  

96.3  

89.0   91.4  

94.0   95.0  

91.1  

92.8  

93.2   95.6  

97.5   97.7  

94.6  

96.2  

89.0   91.2  

93.9   94.7  

91.1  

92.6  

61.7   61.7  

68.0   74.8  

 

 

81.9   84.9  

89.6   92.0  

 

 

23.2   31.7  

32.3   35.8  

 

 

25.9   18.0  

28.9   18.9  

 

 

5.8  

9.3  

 

 

1.9  

1.4  

 

 

70  

71  

60  

63  

3.8  

72.0   74.1  

7.4  

52.5   62.5  

1.1  

70.4   70.0  

2.4  

45.1   52.0  

    In  most  Asian  families,  sex  is  a  subject  that  is  rarely  discussed  and  the  Indonesia  Young   Adult  Reproductive  Health  Survey,  (2007)  confirms  this  fact.  In  response  to  questions  on   where   and   from   whom   they   received   information   of   physical   changes,   menstruation,   wet   dreams,   reproductive   health,   HIV/AIDS   and   STI   (Table   4),   the   young   females   most   frequently   quote   their   friends   ahead   of   mothers,   teachers   and   siblings.     The   data   also   showed  that  the  males  did  not  discus  sexual  issues  with  their  mothers  nor  fathers  but   instead  chose  to  do  so  with  friends,  teachers  and  occasionally  religious  teachers.                 Table  4:  Percentage  distribution  of  sources  of  information  on  sexual  and   reproductive  health  among  adolescents30     Information   Source  of  Information  (ever  discussed  with)  priority   Women   Men   First  

Second  

Third  

Never  

First  

Second  

Third  

                                                                                                                        30

 BPS-­‐Statistics  Indonesia,  National  Family  Planning  Coordinating  Board,  Ministry  of  Health,  Jakarta  Indonesia  and   ORC  Macro  Calverton,  Maryland  USA.  Indonesia  young  Adult  Reproductive  Health  survey,  2007  

12  

Never  

Physical   changes  at   puberty  

Friends   Teacher   (44.4%)   (40.7%)  

Mother   (20.1%)  

(18.3 %)  

Friends   (48.4%)  

Teacher   (31.5%)  

Menstruation   (before  first   menses)   Wet  dreams   (Before  having   first  wet   dream)   Reproductive   Health  

Friends   Mother   (49.2%)   (37.4%)  

Siblings   (15.2%)  

(30.0 %)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friends   (41.2%)  

Teacher   (11.8%)  

Religious   leader   (5.4%)  

(50.1%)  

Friends   (71%)  

Mother   (48%)  

Teacher   (40%)  

(15.0 %)  

Friends   (58%)  

Teacher   (37%)  

(29.0%)  

HIV/AIDS    

Televisio Teacher   n  (78%)   (50%)  

Television   (76%)  

Teacher   (43%)  

STIs  

Teache r  (60%)  

Friends/   Relatives   (56%)    

Teacher   (39%)  

Health   Service   Provider   (16%)   Friends/   Family   (37%)   Television   (24.3%)  

magazine/     Newspaper   (40%)   magazine/   Friends/     Newspaper   Relatives   (34%)   (32%)    

Book/   (15.2%)   magazine/   Newspaper   (7.8%)      

 

 

    5. Dating  and  Sexual  Experience     Indonesian  girls  are  expected  to  remain  virgins  until  their  marriage  unlike  boys  who  are   not   burdened   by   physical   evidence   of   their   sexual   encounters   prior   to   marriage.   Nonetheless  research  shows  that  dating  and  premarital  sex  among  Indonesia  youths  is   on   the   rise.     Data   from   the   Indonesia   Young   Adult   Reproductive   Health   Survey,   2002-­‐ 2003   and   2007   showed   that   females   tended   to   start   dating   later   than   boys   and   comparison  of  data  from  the  two  survey  years  reveal  that  young  people  are  beginning   to   date   at   a   younger   age.   For   example,   among   the   females   in   2002/2003   only   18%   reported  that  they  had  their  first  date  between  12  and  14  years  and  this  corresponding   percentage   increased   to   19.9%   in   the   2007   survey.   The   same   was   also   true   with   the   males   but   in   the   case   of   the   males,   fewer   of   them   began   dating   between   12   and   14   and   more  (12.8%)  compared  to  only  9.5%  who  started  dating  after  17  years.       Table  5:  Age  at  First  Date31     Age  at  first  date   Females   Males   2002/   2007   2002  -­‐   2007                                                                                                                           31

 Ibid  27.  

13  

17  

2003     18.3   31.6   24.4  

4.5   19.9   42.5   9.5  

2003     13.2   28   28.4  

4.0   14.9   40.3   12.8  

    Of  those  who  were  dating,  the  survey  of  2007  revealed  that  among  the  females  aged  12   to  15,  six  out  of  ten  were  holding  hands,  almost  a  quarter  were  kissing  and  6.5%  were   petting.   The   percentages   of   those   aged   20   to   24   engaging   in   similar   activities   were   considerably   higher.   Many   more   males   of   the   respective   age   groups   were   also   doing   likewise   and   as   in   the   case   of   the   females   as   age   increased,   significantly   more   were   engaged  in  physical  contact  with  their  partners.           Table  6:  Percentage  of  Adolescents  Currently  Dating,  By  Behavior  Practised  With   Dating  Partner32       Dating   Female   Male   Experience   15-­‐19   20-­‐24   Total   15-­‐19   20-­‐24   Total   Holding   62.0   82.6   68.3   60.1   82.7   69.0   Hand   Kissing   23.2   43.4   29.3   30.9   57.1   41.2   Petting   6.5   15.0   9.1   19.2   37.7   26.5       Before  the  conduct  of  the  IYARHS  in  2002/2003  and  2007  data  on  premarital  sex  were   conducted   sporadically   at   various   locations   by   different   researchers   but   suffice   to   say   that   most   studies   reported   the   fact   that   premarital   sex   was   common   and   that   young   people   were   becoming   more   accepting   of   premarital   sex.   The   IYARHS   of   2002/2003   reported   that   among   unmarried   men   and   women   ages   15   to   24,   5%   and   less   than   1%   respectively   reported   having   had   sex.   The   number   who   has   had   premarital   sex   could   be   higher  because  of  the  low  age  at  marriage  and  many  who  had  premarital  sex  could  have   been  married  at  the  time  of  the  survey.  By  2007  the  percentage  of  those  unmarried  15   to   19   year   old   males   and   females   who   ever   had   sex   increased   to   3.7%   and   1.3%   respectively  and  the  corresponding  percentages  for  those  unmarried  age  20  to  24  were   10.5%   in   males   and   1.4%   in   females   (Table   7).   Data   from   the   same   survey   found   that                                                                                                                           32

 Ibid  30.  

14  

males,  those  living  in  urban  areas  as  well  as  those  who  had  completed  their  secondary   education   were   more   apt   to   have   had   premarital   sex.   Therefore   unless   contraceptive   needs  are  met  many  may  just  be  pregnant  at  the  time  of  their  marriage.  Analysis  of  DHS   data   for   Indonesia   in   1991   revealed   that   one   in   five   girls   aged   20   to   24   was   indeed   pregnant   at   the   time   of   their   marriage.   This   is   not   discounting   the   numbers   who   had   gone  for  abortion  instead  of  choosing  to  get  married.       Table  7:  Premarital  Sexual  Activity  among  Youths33     Year   Percentage  of  unmarried  women  and  men  age  15-­‐24  who   have  ever  had  sex   Females   Males   15-­‐19   20-­‐24   Total   15-­‐19   20-­‐24   Total   2002-­‐2003