Sexual Behavior of Adolescents in Single-sex and co-education Schools: The Case of Some Selected High Schools in Addis Ababa
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Date
2019-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to assess the sexual behavior of adolescents in single -
sex and co-education schools particularly those who are attending class in preparatory
schools at Addis Ababa. It specifically examines the relationships among sexual behavior,
contraceptive use and sex associated risks of adolescents. The study has used a mixed method
research design. A total of 320 participants were selected using stratified random sampling
techniques coupled with purposive sampling. More specifically, while the one single sex
(boys only) school and informants of FGD and KII were purposively selected, the other three
schools were selected through simple random sampling techniques.The respondents of the
questionnaire scales were also selected through stratified random sampling. Moreover, both
quantitative and qualitative data were generated from using both quantitative (BSAS
questionnaire scales) and qualitative (FGD and KII) methods. In order to address the basic
research questions, data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, Independent
t-test, and ANOVA statistical techniques. Accordingly, the current study generally revealed
several important findings about sexual behavior, contraceptive use and sex associated risks,
and about their relationships. First, most adolescents become sexually active at around the
age 16 and 17. It was also found that the driving forces for initiating sexual intercourse are:
peer pressure, falling in love and the need to explore and experiment. Second, most of the
adolescents do not use contraceptives when having sexual intercourse. Third, many
adolescents are facing sex associated problems such as STDs, unwanted pregnancy and
abortion. Fourth, a negative correlation was obtained between sexual behavior scores and
sex associated risk factors scores. Fifth, a strong relationship has been found between
contraceptive use and school type; Sex Associated Risks and grade level; Sexual Behavior
and the age of adolescents. Finally, based on the results of the current study, the following
recommendations were forwarded:provision of SRH training and contraceptives like
condoms in the school settings; and more researchers should be conducted to see the impact
of school types on adolescents’ sexual behavior so as to provide data to policy makers and all
stakeholders in the education sector.
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Education