Assessment of Exposure to Sexually Explicit Materials and Other Factors as Predictors of Sexual Activity among in School Youth in Addis Ababa
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Date
2008-06
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Background: Sexually explicit media (SEM) are textual, visual, or aural materials that
depict sexual acts or expose the reproductive organs of the human body. These erotic and
pornographic materials usually portray sex in a risk free manner. Exposure of urban
youth to such media is argued to contribute for adoption of risky sexual behavior.
Objective: This study aimed to assess magnitude of exposure to SEM and factors
contributing to exposure among in-school youth as well as describe sexual behavior and
the role of exposure and other factors as predictors of in-school youth sexual activity.
Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study involving 810 randomly selected
students among 18 Addis Ababa high schools was conducted in March 2008. Pre-tested
questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data, which was entered and cleaned using
EPI INFO 2000 version 3.3 and analyzed using SPSS version 13.0 statistical packages.
Odds Ratio with 95% Confidence Interval was used and multiple logistic regression
analysis was performed to assess association among variables. Tape-recorded qualitative
data, from four FGDs were transcribed and analyzed into predetermined themes.
Results: Magnitude of ever-exposure to sexually explicit texts and watching movies were
65.3% and 69.5% respectively. The odds of frequent exposure to SE movies increased
with being male, consuming alcohol and Khat, having positive attitude towards SEM, and
sexual experience while the later two and school type affected frequency of reading SE
texts. Nearly eighteen percent of the participants were sexually active. Likelihood of
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being sexually active grew with frequent reading of SE texts with AOR of 3.69 (95%C.I.
=1.17, 11.63), frequent viewing of SE movies, AOR 7.68 (95%C.I. =2.74, 21.57), alcohol
drinking, AOR 3.77 (95%C.I. =1.54, 9.21), Khat chewing AOR 4.10 (95%C.I. =1.36,
12.32), and ever having a boy or girl friend AOR 3.43, (95%C.I. =1.65, 7.12). Probability
of sexual engagement decreased among those who live with their parents AOR
0.20(95%C.I. =0.04, 0.88). Recalled attendance of school sex education by 56.5%
showed no significant association. Inconsistent condom use by 60.9% and having
multiple sexual partners by 57% of the sexually active youth were also reported.
Conclusion and recommendation: A strong link was revealed between frequent
exposure to sexually explicit materials, alcohol and Khat consumption, and sexual
activity of the in-school youth. Large proportions of sexually active youth are also
engaged in risk sexual behavior. Considering these, developing media criticizing skill of
students, decreasing accessibility to SEM through legal measures, promotion of peer and
school sex education and encouraging parental guidance were some of the
recommendations forwarded.
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Keywords
Assessment of Exposure to Sexually Explicit Materials