Risky sexual practices among private college students: A cross-sectional study at Central University College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background; Individuals engaged in risky sexual behavior are at risk for negative consequences such as sexually transmit- ted infections (STIs), Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and unwanted pregnancies. Objectives; to assess the magnitude and factors associated with risky sexual practices among regular students of the Lan- cia campus of Central University College Methodology; Institution based cross sectional study was conducted among 197 regular students of the Lancia campus of Central University College, one of the pioneer private colleges in Ethiopia. Data were collected with pretested self ad- ministered structured questionnaire, and processed on SPSS statistical software. Result; Fifty four percent of the students are sexually active of whom 32.6% had risky sexual practices. The students are practicing a wide range of sexual practices, including having multiple sexual partners, having sex with commercial sex workers, having sex with the same sex and other than vaginal route sexual intercourse. The person living with perceived parents’ economy, marital status, alcohol intake, route of sexual intercourse and age at first sex initiation are factors signif- icantly associated with risky sexual practices. Conclusion and recommendations; The majorities of the students in private higher institutions are sexually active and practicing a wide range of risky sexual practices. Risky sexual practice is associated with the individual demographics and lifestyle, parents' characteristics and school environment. Hence targeted intervention involving students, parents and school administration and in-depth qualitative studies are required to curb the prevailing risky practices (Ethiopian Jour- nal of Reproductive Health, 2014, Volume 7(1), 2-10). Key Words; Risky sexual practice, HIV infection, unwanted pregnancy, college students, Ethiopia