Premarital sexual practices and associated factors among high school students in Hawassa city in Ethiopia, 2018: institutional-based cross sectional study design

Abstract

Background: Youth reproductive health problems have been an issues of worldwide especially Africa countries, including Ethiopia; in addition to these population took more than two-third of overall population. To address problems effectively, up to date information on adolescent premarital sexual practices and factors related was needed. To determine the magnitude of pre-marital sexual practices and associated factors among high school students in Hawassa city, Ethiopia 2018. Methods: School based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected sample of high school students of Hawassa city from October 12-22, 2018. A total of 813 students were participated in the study. Data were collected using anonymous self-administered questionnaire. After data was collected, it was coded and entered in to the computer using EPIinfo software and finally exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Descriptive statistics was computed to describe basic socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the participants. Bivariate logistic analysis was done to know the candidate variables (p value less than or equals to 0.25) for multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine significantly associated variable with outcome of interest. Results: Study revealed that magnitude of premarital sexual intercourse found to be 11.9% (61 were males and 39 females) of 813 total sample. Drinking alcohol with AOR: l8.43; 95% CI (5.12, 13.94), watching pornographic films with AOR: 5.96; 95% CI (3.80, 9.37), educational status of mother with AOR: 7.35; 95% CI (4.56, 11.89), male sex with AOR: 0.48; 95% CI (0.31, 0.75) has statically association with premarital sexual practices. Conclusions: One in ten students had premarital sexual practice. Moreover, practicing risky sexual behaviors such drinking alcohols, watching pornographic films and mother education status are found to be predicators. Therefore, it is imperative to bring behavioral change through establishing and strengthening school female reproductive health program and empowerment of women in education.