Factors Predisposing out of School Youth to High Risk Sexual Practice With Respect to HIV Infection in Bahir Dar Town, Northwest Ethiopia
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Date
2004-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Youth constitute the population within the age range of 15 up to 24 years. They make up about 30% of
the world population. Even though youth constitute 30% of the population they harbor about half the
burden due to HIV/AIDS. Out of school youth are at a much higher risk for HIV/AIDS.
This study was conducted in Bahir Dar town among out of school youth to assess predisposing risk
factors that put out of school youth at risk of risky sexual practices and HIV infection. The study design
was descriptive cross-sectional study. Both quantitative and qualitative data were employed. For the
quantitative section a standardized questionnaire was prepared and pre-tested. Focus Group Discussions
(FGD) and In-depth Interviews (II) were conducted to collect qualitative data.
For the quantitative section 628 youth participated in the study. Three hundred twenty four were males
and 304 were females. Majority (63.1%) were within the age range of 20 up to 24 years. Majority,
(64.8%) had started sexual intercourse. More males than females tended to have sex with non-regular sex
partner. Consistent condom use was found to be low. Alcohol intake, khat chewing, low educational
background and being male were found to be significantly associated with having sex with either
commercial or non-regular sex partner. In addition, peers to be sexually active, families’ condition to
monitor (support) their children were found to be associated with risky sexual practice. Youth behavior
not to visit libraries, visiting sexy video shows and visiting religious organizations occasionally were
significantly associated with youth risky sexual practice. On the other hand lower number of income
earner in youth family and youth who leveled their living condition as “poor” were found to have sex in
exchange for money. For the qualitative part five focus group discussions and ten in-depth interviews
were conducted. Participants claimed that absence of job, youth tendency to chew khat and drink alcohol,
parents’ poor involvement in shaping youth sexual behavior and absence of adequate and attractive places
(youth programs) to pass leisure time were reported as the driving forces that put out of school youth at
risk of unsafe sexual practices and HIV infection.
Creating employment opportunities, involving parents in the campaign against HIV/AIDS and preparing
adequate and comfortable places and youth programs for leisure time with adequate, attractive and need
based health education services were recommended to save the generation.
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Keywords
Factors Predisposing out of School Youth to High Risk