Abstract:
Background: Students of higher institutions that fall in youth bracket are liable to many SRH
problems like other youth. These problems include gender-based violence, sexual coercion,
STD’s including HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancy and abortion. But studies focusing on SRH
condition of youth in higher learning institutions are very limited.
Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of pre-marital sexual
practice and contributing factors for this practice among female students of Hawassa University.
Method: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted from May 1-21, 2009. A self
administered questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence and contributing factors of
premarital sexual practice among female students of Hawassa University.
Results: Of 537 respondents, 230 (42.8%) reported that they had boy-friend. Almost all,
509(94.8%) of respondents were single, 20(3.7%) reported that they had casual sexual partner at
their stay in the university.
The prevalence of premarital sexual practice among unmarried students was 30.8% with mean
age at first sex of 18.52±1.53.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that those having
no boy-friend reported to have greater chance of exposure to premarital sexual practice as
compared to females with a boy-friend [COR=8.841(5.747, 13.600) and AOR=8.462(5.341,
13.408)]. Being in age group 20-29[COR=0.382(0.256, 0.570) and AOR=0.377(0.226, 0.468)]
and living with families [COR=1.029(0.508, 0.724) and AOR=0.080(0.014, 0.454)] were found
to be a protective factor for premarital sexual activity.
Conclusion and recommendations: The study revealed that the prevalence of pre-marital
sexual practice among female students of Hawassa University was high. It was also observed
many students started sex while they are in the campus. It was found that having boy-friend, age
and living condition of students were predictors of premarital sexual practice.
It is recommended to establish or strengthen youth friendly sexual and reproductive health
services in the university
