Risky Sexual Behavior and Associated Factors Among Adolescent Students in Tana Haik High School, Bahir Dar, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. World Health Organization defines adolescent as the person between 10 and 19 years of age. Adolescents’ sexual behavior threatens the physical, psychological, social health and well-being of this group. Therefore, assessing the sexual behavior of adolescent students is essential to evaluate vulnerability and this enables one take appropriate preventive measure. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the risky sexual behavior of school adolescents and responsible factors influencing their risky sexual behavior practices in Tana Haik Secondary and Preparatory School, Bahir Dar, Northern Ethiopia, 2016. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using questionnaire. A systematic random sampling was used to get the total sample size of 308 participants. A pre-tested, structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data and Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16.0 software packages. Result: Out of the study participants, 79 (26%) respondents were practiced sexual intercourse. Among the sexually active students 73% were not utilized condoms, 34% of them had more than one partner and 5% reported to have sexual intercourse with commercial sex workers. Personal pressure (46%), peer pressure (27%), forced (10%), alcohol and chat influence (9%) and economic problem (9%) were the reasons reported for the initiation of the first sexual practice. Fifty-nine (19%) of the study participants were developed risky sexual behaviors. Participants’ educational level, marital status, parental marital status, living status, and alcohol consumption were predictor factors for the existence of different sexual behaviors. Conclusion: A considerable number of school adolescents had started sexual activity early and have practiced risky sexual behavior that might predispose them to different sexual and reproductive health problems. Delay in sex debut and reducing risky sexual behavior among adolescents can be achieved through well designed sexual education programs at the school.