ASSESSMENT OF SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOUR ON D/MARKOS PREPARATORY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

Background: Young people ages 10-24 are the largest in Ethiopia history and engage in sexual risk behaviors. Risky sexual behavior is the major factor in the rising rate of sexually transmitted infections including HIV among young adults. Young people's susceptibility to HIV infection has been consistently linked to intractable higher-risk sexual behaviors. Assessing sexual risk behaviors & identifying factors that predispose to sexual risk behaviors is essential for HIV/AIDS prevention and other youth related programs Objective: The main objective of the study is to assess sexual risk behavior among Debre Markos preparatory school students Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the sexual risk behavior of Debre Markos preparatory school students using pretested structured questionnaire on October 12,2010.Data were analyzed by using Univariate, bivariate & multivariate analysis. While undertaking bivariate analysis, the p-value was used to assess the relationship of several independent variables with dependant variables Result: A total of 454 respondents were participated. In this study 24.9% of the respondents were sexually active. The mean age at first sexual intercourse was 17.1(+1.3 SD) years). Eighty seven (77%) sexually active respondents have sexual risk behaviors. Eleven (9.7%) of the respondents reported that they have sexual intercourse with two or more partners. Thirty three percent of sexually active respondents who practiced sex with commercial sex workers reported consistent condom use. In this study very important significant association was observed between frequent alcohol drink, received VCT and received health education at school with sexual risk behavior. Conclusion: Seventy seven percent of sexually active participant engage in high- risk sexual behavior. Thus, establishing youth friendly sexual and reproductive health 7 services are mandatory at school to delay sex and negotiate condom use. The services should be available all the time are recommended.