Magnitude of Risky Sexual Behavior, Associated Factors and Parenting Practices among Unmarried Youth Students in Kea Med University College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2016-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Youth is characterized by emotional, social and physical transformations that can
expose young people to risky sexual behaviorsand healthy sexuality needs an investment from
parents. Risky sexual behavior among youth is still a major issue in Sub-Saharan Africa
including Ethiopia. Little has been studied about risky behaviorsin the context of private higher
education institutions in Ethiopia.Thus, this study tried to assess the magnitude of risky sexual
behaviors and associated factors among students in Kea Med University College, Ethiopia.
Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from January - April 2016.
A total of 846 students were selected using stratified random sampling method. SPSS software
version 20 was used to perform descriptive statistics, univariate, bivariate and multivariable
logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with early initiation of sex and multiple
sexual partners.
Results:Of the 820 study participants, 240 (29.3%) ever had sex, 139 (57.9%) had sex 12
months preceding survey, 63 (26.2%) ever had multiple sexual partners and 44 (62%) used
condom inconsistently. Regarding the behavior of youth, 183 (22.7%) drink alcohol, 88 (10.7%)
chew khat and150 (18.3%) watched pornographic video. About 143 (59.3%) of students ever had
male friend who practiced sex and 142 (59.2%)ever had female friend who practiced sex.
Sex, living arrangement, father’s educational status, income of family per month, drinking
alcohol, chewing khat, watching pornographies, having male friends’ who initiated sex,
parenting styles and practices were significantly associated withearly initiation of sex and ever
had multiple sexual partners. Females were two times (AOR = 1.50; [95%C: 1.02, 4.88]) and
three times (AOR = 3.12: [95%CI 2.05 – 5.35]) more likely to initiate sex earlier and ever had
multiple sexual partners respectively than males. Watching pornographic video was significantly
associated with early initiation of sex (AOR = 1.11: [95%CI 1.00 – 4.25]). Students from
neglectful parents were 2.96 times more likely to initiate sex earlier than those with authoritative
parents (AOR = 2.96: [95%CI: 1.91- 4.64]).
Conclusion:Engaging in risk behaviors such as early initiation of sex and having multiple sexual
partnerswere independently associated with sex, watching porno video, drinking alcohol, having
friends who practice sex, drinking alcohol, and parenting styles. Therefore, college based, risk
reduction and behavior change focused interventions are recommended.
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Keywords
Risky Sexual Behavior