Abstract:
Background:Risky sexual behaviors remain to be a public health concern among university students, who are viewed as a key population for a country's economic development. Despite the fact that, most University students considered as they have a high level of knowledge regarding sexuality and STIs, many of them fail to identify the risky sexual behaviors they carry out due to different factors.
Objective: To assess magnitude of risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among under graduate students at Ambo University, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2023.
Method: Institutional based cross- sectional study was conducted from December 01 to January 01, 2023 in Ambo University. Simple random sampling technique was used to recruit 685 of study participant. The data were collected by using self-administered structured questionnaire from selected students. Data were entered into Epi-data 4.6 and analyzed by SPSS version 26 software. A Bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was employed. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) was used to identify variable that are significantly associated with Risky Sexual Behaviors at 95% CI and P-value <0.05.
Result: From a total of 685 sample size, 643 (93.8%) individuals participated in the study. This study found that, from a total of 643 students, overall magnitude of Risky sexual behavior was 216 (33.6%), 95%CI (29.9, 37.5). Being male [(AOR: 2.37; 95% CI (1.55, 3.62)], age <24 years [AOR: 0.48; 95% CI :( (0.30, 0.78)] , Parents place of residence [AOR: 1.67; 95% CI (1.12, 2.49)], students place of residence [AOR: 2.41; 95%CI (1.34, 4.33)], starting sexual intercourse at early age [AOR: 2.56; 95%CI (1.52, 4.32)] substance use [AOR: 1.76; 95%CI (1.16, 2.66)] and watching pornography [AOR: 2.38; 95%CI (1.58, 3.60)]
Conclusion: This study revealed that, nearly one third of study population practiced risk sexual behavior. Being male , age <24yers, students place residence, parents place residence, starting sexual intercourse at early age, substance use and watching pornographic videos were factors associated with risky of sexual behavior. Therefore, programs that encourage avoidance of early sexual initiation and prevention and control of substance use in the university compound are recommende
