Prevalence of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among Injibara University students, Northwest Ethiopia
IntroductionEngaging in risky sexual behaviors can lead to HIV infection, sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancy among youths. University students had greater sexual risks for many reasons. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of risky sexual...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Reproductive Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frph.2024.1356790/full |
| _version_ | 1827304391191822336 |
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| author | Mekdes Abera Adal Saron Abeje Abiy Mebratu Mitiku Reta Mezgebu Silamsaw Asres Yaregal Animut |
| author_facet | Mekdes Abera Adal Saron Abeje Abiy Mebratu Mitiku Reta Mezgebu Silamsaw Asres Yaregal Animut |
| author_sort | Mekdes Abera Adal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionEngaging in risky sexual behaviors can lead to HIV infection, sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancy among youths. University students had greater sexual risks for many reasons. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of risky sexual behaviors among regular undergraduate students at Injibara University, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at Injibara University from 20 January to 30 2020. Multistage sampling was employed to select 770 students. Data were collected using a semistructured self-administered questionnaire. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with risky sexual behavior. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% CIs were determined, and variables with P-values <0.05 were considered significant.ResultA total of 770 students participated in the study, providing a response rate of 100%. In this study, 294 (38%, 95% CI: 35%, 42%) students engaged in risky sexual behaviors. Risky sexual behavior was significantly associated with not tested for HIV (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.15–2.31), peer pressure (AOR = 1.90, CI: 1.37–2.64), basic HIV knowledge (AOR = 2.16, CI: 1.65–2.89), substance use (AOR = 3.56, CI: 2.11–6.06), watching pornography videos (AOR = 1.58, CI: 1.11–2.23), and HIV risk perception (AOR = 1.37, CI: 1.02–1.91).Conclusion and recommendationA substantial proportion of university students in this study engaged in unsafe sexual behavior. Risky sexual behaviors are more likely to occur when students are under peer pressure, use substances, have no perceived HIV risk, watch pornography, and have inadequate basic HIV knowledge. Therefore, tailored strategic interventions such as life skill training should be designed to bring about positive behavioral changes among university students. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:35:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-49274265f5b243089d3e4050c5fb3964 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-3153 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:35:57Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Reproductive Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-49274265f5b243089d3e4050c5fb39642024-03-28T05:02:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Reproductive Health2673-31532024-03-01610.3389/frph.2024.13567901356790Prevalence of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among Injibara University students, Northwest EthiopiaMekdes Abera Adal0Saron Abeje Abiy1Mebratu Mitiku Reta2Mezgebu Silamsaw Asres3Yaregal Animut4Injibara District Health Office, Awi Zone Health Department, Amhara Regional Health Bureau, Injibara, EthiopiaDepartment of Clinical Midwifery, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaIntroductionEngaging in risky sexual behaviors can lead to HIV infection, sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancy among youths. University students had greater sexual risks for many reasons. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of risky sexual behaviors among regular undergraduate students at Injibara University, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at Injibara University from 20 January to 30 2020. Multistage sampling was employed to select 770 students. Data were collected using a semistructured self-administered questionnaire. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with risky sexual behavior. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% CIs were determined, and variables with P-values <0.05 were considered significant.ResultA total of 770 students participated in the study, providing a response rate of 100%. In this study, 294 (38%, 95% CI: 35%, 42%) students engaged in risky sexual behaviors. Risky sexual behavior was significantly associated with not tested for HIV (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.15–2.31), peer pressure (AOR = 1.90, CI: 1.37–2.64), basic HIV knowledge (AOR = 2.16, CI: 1.65–2.89), substance use (AOR = 3.56, CI: 2.11–6.06), watching pornography videos (AOR = 1.58, CI: 1.11–2.23), and HIV risk perception (AOR = 1.37, CI: 1.02–1.91).Conclusion and recommendationA substantial proportion of university students in this study engaged in unsafe sexual behavior. Risky sexual behaviors are more likely to occur when students are under peer pressure, use substances, have no perceived HIV risk, watch pornography, and have inadequate basic HIV knowledge. Therefore, tailored strategic interventions such as life skill training should be designed to bring about positive behavioral changes among university students.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frph.2024.1356790/fullprevalencerisky sexual behaviorassociated factorsuniversity studentsNorthwest Ethiopia |
| spellingShingle | Mekdes Abera Adal Saron Abeje Abiy Mebratu Mitiku Reta Mezgebu Silamsaw Asres Yaregal Animut Prevalence of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among Injibara University students, Northwest Ethiopia Frontiers in Reproductive Health prevalence risky sexual behavior associated factors university students Northwest Ethiopia |
| title | Prevalence of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among Injibara University students, Northwest Ethiopia |
| title_full | Prevalence of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among Injibara University students, Northwest Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among Injibara University students, Northwest Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among Injibara University students, Northwest Ethiopia |
| title_short | Prevalence of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among Injibara University students, Northwest Ethiopia |
| title_sort | prevalence of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among injibara university students northwest ethiopia |
| topic | prevalence risky sexual behavior associated factors university students Northwest Ethiopia |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frph.2024.1356790/full |
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