Abstract
BackgroundLittle is known about sexual risks and associated factors about female youths in semi-urban areas of Ethiopia. This study aimed to describe the nature and magnitude of risky sexual behaviors, and the socio-demographic and behavioral determinants among female youths in Tiss Abay, a semi-urban area on the outskirts of Bahir Dar City of the Amhara Region in northern Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional census type study was conducted among female youths who were unmarried and aged 15–29 years in September 2011.Results711 female youths participated in the study, with the mean age of initiation of sex of 78.6% being16.73±2.53 years. Only 52(9.3%) used condom during the first sex. Within the last 12 months, 509(71.6%) had sexual intercourse and 278(54.6%) had two or more sex partners, and 316(62.1%) did not use condom during their last sex. Sex under the influence of substances was reported by 350(68.8%), and a third of the recent sexes were against the will of participants. One or more risky sexual practices were reported by 503(70.3%) participants, including: multiple sexual partnerships, inconsistently using or not using condoms, sex under the influence of alcohol and/or sex immediately after watching pornography. Age group, current marital status, drinking homemade alcohol, chewing ‘khat’, watching pornography and using any form of stimulant substances were the predictors of risky sexual behavior. Watching pornography before sex and sex for transaction were the predicators of not using condom during most recent sex.ConclusionsRisky sexual behaviors were very common among the female youths in Tiss Abay. Initiation of context-based interventions, such as raising awareness about the risks, safer sex practices, condom promotion and integration of gender issues in the programs are recommended.
Highlights
The youth population constitutes approximately one third of the world population and is a productive force for the world economy[1]
Risky sexual behaviors were very common among the female youths in Tiss Abay
Evidences show that youth are most likely to engage on risky sexual behaviors when compared to adults[5]
Summary
The youth population constitutes approximately one third of the world population and is a productive force for the world economy[1]. For the purposes of this study in Ethiopia, as defined by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, they were identified as those from the ages of 15–29. Risky sexual behavior is defined as an individual’s conduct that increases the susceptibility of the person to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, unwanted pregnancy and psychological distress[5,6,7,8,9,10]. Little is known about sexual risks and associated factors about female youths in semi-urban areas of Ethiopia. This study aimed to describe the nature and magnitude of risky sexual behaviors, and the socio-demographic and behavioral determinants among female youths in Tiss Abay, a semi-urban area on the outskirts of Bahir Dar City of the Amhara Region in northern Ethiopia
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