Revista de SIDA e investigación clínica

Risky Sexual Behavior and Its Associated Factors Among High School and Preparatory Night Students in Awi Zone, Northwest, Ethiopia

Abstract

Aragaw Bitew Adimas1, Alemthsehay Mekonnen Muna1, Yonatan Menber2, and Belayneh Fentahun Shibesh3

Background: Risky sexual behaviors are any behavior that increases the probability of adverse sexual and reproductive health problems. Risky sexual behaviors predispose adolescent and young people to a variety of sexually associated problems such as sexually transmitted infection, Human immune virus and unwanted pregnancy. Yet, little has studied about risky behaviors in the context of night students in Ethiopia at large and study area in particular.

Objective: To assess the magnitude and factors of risky sexual behaviors among grade 9-12-night students in Awi Zone, North west Ethiopia, 2020.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The total sample size was 801. Participants were selected through simple random sampling technique and data were collected using a pretested and structured self-administered questionnaire. Epi data for data entry and SPSS for analysis were used. P-value less than 0.05 at multiple logistic regressions was considered as statistically significant.

Results: One hundred twenty (40.4%) have risky sexual behavior. Mean age of first sexual initiation was 18.64 (SD ± 2.16) and quite large proportion of respondents (30%) had initiated sex before 18 years. Grade level (AOR=2.52, 95% CI, 1.12-5.69), practicing sex in hotels (AOR=2.82, 95% CI, 1.11-6.94), having sex at school compounds (AOR=3.27, 95% CI, 1.05-10.17), exposure to pornographic films (AOR=5.49, 95% CI, 2.45- 12.28), peer pressure (AOR=4.86, 95% CI, 2.31-10.22) and permissive type of parenting style (AOR=0.27, 95% CI, 0.10-.70) are significantly associated factors with risky sexual behavior at P- value <0.05.

Conclusion: Considerable proportions of night students engage in sexual activity and practice risky sexual behaviors. Place of sexual intercourse were associated with risky sexual behavior. Students from grade 9-10, Pornographic film exposures, parenting style and peer pressure, were factors exposing participants to risky sexual behavior.