Risk Factors for Unsafe Sexual Behavior Among Preparatory Youth Students of Addis Ababa
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Date
2009-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Youth’s sexual risk taking, which is recognized by involvement in
premarital sexual activity, reluctance to use protective contraceptive, is observed to be the
causes of various problems. As far as youths are exposed to high risk activities/ behavior is
reported to be growing, it is obviously associated with Reproductive Health Risks (RHR),
including the risk of HIV contraction, mainly acquiring the infection through unsafe sexual
intercourse. Recognizing and addressing risk factors contributing to unsafe sexual
behavior, and also understanding why they engage in risk behavior should be thought.
Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the risks factors related to unsafe sexual
behaviors
Method: A cross-sectional study that employed quantitative data collection method
supplemented by qualitative focus group discussion was used to assess risk factors for
unsafe sexual behavior among preparatory youth students. The study was conducted from
April to May 2009 in randomly selected 13 preparatory schools in A.A.on 461 samples of
study subjects. Data entry, cleaning and analysis were done using SPSS version 13.0, bi-
variate analysis was used to describe some of the socio-demographic variables, and logistic
regression model was used to measure the association of outcome variables of different
characteristics of the study subjects. Results were presented by tables and figures.
Result: Out o 461 sample size 454 participated in the study making the response rate of
98.48%, 46.70% of the respondents were sexually active, the majority were males within
the age group of 18-19 years. More than half of the sexually active students (60.84%),had
their first sexual intercourse under the age of 18 years, the mean age of first sexual contact
16.4 years.60.85% of the respondents had multiple sexual partners, using condom
consistently was practiced only by 40.6% of the sexually active respondents. Risks to
unsafe sex like substances uses, peer pressure for doing sex, and loose family
connectedness were found to be significantly associated (OR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.633-4.636),
(OR: 2.557,95% CI: 1.509-4.333), (OR:2.187, 95% CI: 1.172-4.084), respectively.
Conclusion: The majority of youth students are at higher risk of acquiring unsafe sexual
behavior which is related to risk factors or behaviors they are exhibited and obviously
revealed with score on the AIDS risk behavior index. Considering the risk factors for youth
unsafe sexual behavior preventive and promotive work should be strengthened through
effective BCC and family life education.
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Keywords
Sexual Behavior, Preparatory Youth Students