Assessment of Parenting Practices and Styles and Adolescent Sexual Behavior among High School Adolescents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Healthy sexuality is a developmental process which needs investments from parents. Nonetheless, little is known about the effect of parenting practices and styles on the sexual risk behavior of young people. Objectives: to assess the effect of different parenting styles and parenting practices on the sexual behavior of adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3840 randomly selected high school adolescents using three stage sampling in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were collected by a self-administered anonymous pre tested questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify parental factors associated with sexual behavior. Results: From the 3543 students participated in this study 723(20.4%) respondents reported ever having sexual intercourse and nearly three -quarter of those who initiated sex were involved in risky sexual practices. Respondents who live with both parents [AOR= 0.48 (95%CI: 0.21-0.83)] and perceived connected to their parents [AOR= 0.51(95%CI: 0.22-0.96)] were less likely to experience risky sexual behavior. Similarly, students from authoritarian and authoritative parents were more likely to have safe sexual practices [AOR = 0.38(95%CI: 0.23-0.86)] and [AOR = 0.41(95%CI: 0.24-0.93)] respectively compared to children from permissive parenting styles. In addition, parent child communication about sexual issues [AOR =0.56 (95%CI: 0.31-0.94)] and parental monitoring were protective from risky sexual behavior [AOR =0.52(95%CI: 0.32-0.92)]. Conclusion: Appropriate parenting practices have a shielding effect from adolescent sexual risk behavior. Interventions that enable parents to build proper parenting practices, skills and styles have paramount importance.