Association of Premarital Screening Intention Among Young Adults with Higher Education in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Objectives: Premarital screening can reduce the risk of genetic disorders and sexually transmitted diseases by providing early detection before conception. College students represent a group of young adults with higher education who are approaching marriageable age. However, many students still lack a strong intention to undergo premarital screening in the future. Therefore, this study examines the factors influencing screening intentions among students at one of Indonesia's leading universities, the State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta.

Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design, with a total sample of 563 college students obtained through a multistage random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and ordinal logistic regression was applied for hypothesis testing.

Results: Among the 563 students, 97.0% indicated an intention to undergo premarital screening. The intention variable was classified into three levels: no/low (13.0%), moderate (43.5%), and high (43.5%). Ordinal logistic regression revealed that lower knowledge about premarital screening was significantly associated with a reduced intention to undergo screening (OR = 2.84, 95% CI [1.58-5.10]). In addition, negative perceived behavioral control (OR = 2.85, 95% CI [1.41-5.75]), negative attitudes toward premarital screening (OR = 1.53, 95% CI [0.78-3.01]), and being enrolled in a non-health-related field of study (OR = 1.96, 95% CI [1.04-3.68]) were significantly linked to lower screening intentions.

Conclusions: Comprehensive premarital health education is essential for young adults, even those with a high level of formal education. Such education not only improves knowledge but also promotes more positive perceptions and attitudes toward premarital screening.