Abstract
Pre-marital sex is a penetrative vaginal or anal sexual intercourse performed before formal marriage in younger population. Moreover, these population groups are less likely than adults to have the information, skills and support to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS and other consequences of premarital sex. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of pre-marital sexual practice and its associated factors among high school students in Addis Zemen town. A cross sectional study design was conducted in purposefully selected site from April to June 2017. Single population proportion formula was used to select 284 study subjects. Study participants were selected randomly from grade 9 and 10 students. Structured pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the data and data were checked and entered to EpiInfo v.3.5. Statistical Packages for Social Sciences v.20 used to analyze the data. Bivariant analysis results with p-value <0.2 was included in multivariate logistic regression. The study showed a prevalence of 32.6% premarital sex. Being lower age groups (13-18) were 2.48 times at higher risk than those who are at high age groups (19-25), (AOR=2.48, CI= 1.24-4.95). Having girl/boyfriends were 20.66 times at higher risk than those who have no girl/boyfriend, (AOR=20.66, CI= 9.39-45.46). Premarital sexual practice among the study participants was strongly associated with being lower age groups and having boy/girlfriends. The most mentioned reason for students to start their first sexual practice was love affair and interest. Health education should be encouraged and the clinic at school level should be strengthened as well as establishing a club to teach about premarital sexual practices are suggested. Key words: Premarital sex, sexual practice, prevalence.  
Highlights
Premarital sex is a penetrative vaginal or anal sexual intercourse performed before formal marriage
Most young people often challenged with strong social, peer and cultural pressure to engage in premarital sex (Alemu et al, 2017), which increased their risk of early pregnancy, abortion and exposure to STDs including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/AIDS (5)
This study revealed that the prevalence of premarital sex among the study participants is higher than the studies conducted in other parts of Ethiopia
Summary
Premarital sex is a penetrative vaginal or anal sexual intercourse performed before formal marriage. Some people may be engaged in such sexual practices with many sexual partners and they may have high number of life time sexual partners that could be liable to acquire sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including. Most young people often challenged with strong social, peer and cultural pressure to engage in premarital sex (Alemu et al, 2017), which increased their risk of early pregnancy, abortion and exposure to STDs including HIV/AIDS (5). Unwanted pregnancy among female students may lead to school dropout and a failure to complete their education. Unwanted pregnancies may end up with illegal and unsafe abortions, which may lead to death. Studying premarital sexual practice and associated risk factors among high school students is an essential issue
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
